Mum

My friends, I am reposting this post from last year when I asked your prayers for my dear Mother-in-Law, Mum. Today, Mum passed peacefully to her Heavenly Reward. I ask your prayers for her, and for all those loved ones she will leave behind. I also want to tell you about this wonderful woman who raised the man I love...the woman who I am thankful to have known and loved for almost thirty years. Her name is Flo. We call her Mum.

This is Mum.

With the love of her life, Steve's father Ron.

And again. Years later, still so much in love.

Mum is a wonderful example of womanhood. She is humble, devout, generous, faithful, and kind.

These are some of the things I will remember about her for as long as I live...

Mum loves her family.

She raised seven of the most amazing children ever.

( I am partial to the youngest, of course.)

 They never fight. Ever. Many of them work together, and are each other's best friends.

They all have the most caring hearts and amazing manners.

I am thankful to be a part of this family that Mum began.

Mum made the best mashed potatoes ever. I have never been able to replicate them. So I quit trying. Enter Hungry Jack. But her mashed potatoes were always so white, and light, and fluffy.

With just a sprinkle of pepper for color.

Mum also made the most amazing meatloaf. In a little aluminum pan. The same pan every time.

Again. Not able to replicate. So Steve tries. His best.

Mum was the best ironer in the world. She made clothes look better than a dry cleaner. She taught me how to shake my clothes before putting them into the dryer so they wouldn't wrinkle as much. And when I was young and working, she came to my house and happily did my ironing for me.

Mum was happiest when she was caring for others. She took pride in preparing a good meal every night for her husband and family. She shared her lasagna recipe with me, and it remains one of our favorite meals. She also taught me that cantaloupe can be served at every meal in the summer, and leftovers go great into old Cool Whip bowls.

Mum liked pink lipstick and liked to have her nails painted. Again...mostly pink. She was always cold riding in the front seat when Steve's Dad drove, and always pulled a sweater over herself. Just like I do. She brought Wheat Thin crackers and bananas on road trips, and loved to take drives to look at the leaves in the fall. Just like I do.

Mum taught me the beauty of being content. And of being humble. Despite the fact that she had the means to live a very extravagant life, she didn't. Rather, she lived a life of beautiful simplicity. She thought of others long before she thought of herself.

Mum loves to pray the rosary. She loves her faith. She loves her Bible. She is ready to go. Her body is tired. But her spirit is strong. We went to visit with her Thanksgiving afternoon. We knew it may be the last time we would be with her. She smiled. She talked. She told us she loved us. Despite our efforts, we started to cry. And Mum told us no tears. She looked beautiful. Absolutely beautiful. As if her body knew her soul had someplace very special to be.

Madison and Nicolas with Mum last Christmas.

She is wearing a sparkly blue sweater we got for her. : )

Visiting with Mum last spring...

Thank you my friends, for remembering this special woman in your prayers. I admire her so much. And I am forever grateful to her for raising the man I love. The man who is the most amazing father to our children. Steve is the baby of her seven. There are five years between him and his older brother Todd. Every year on Steve's birthday, I call her and tell her thank you. Thank you for having that one more!  And every year she laughs.

I love you Mum. Always.