We celebrated my Mom's life with a beautiful Catholic Mass of Christian Burial on a snowy, frigid Monday in January. My Mom's remaining sibling, my awesome Uncle Jim, planned on giving the eulogy. He lives more than two hours away from my hometown, and the weather that day was horrible. My Aunt Bev texted me and said they had started on their way, but the roads were treacherous. Thankfully, they decided to turn around. I am so thankful they arrived home safe and sound.
The next decision was who would give the eulogy? And I knew right away. Who better than my sweet Momma herself? Years ago, my Mom gave me a little black notebook in which she had written some thoughts. She asked me to keep it for her. I put it in a safe place and moved it from house to house through the years. A few months before she passed, I dug that little black notebook out and read again the beautiful words my Mom had written so many years ago.
I had those words with me that day, and although I couldn't possibly read them, I knew that Mom's own words would be the very best thing to share on the day celebrating her beautiful life. Madison offered to read them at the conclusion of mass, and she did a lovely job. I am so proud of her. I thought I would share Mom's writing with you here today. Here are those words my Mom wrote to her daughters over twenty-two years ago.
Girls, when I go from this life to our Lord, please remember some things I will write here:
Follow the commandments and you will have peace of mind and no regrets!!!
Keep close to one another. We are all separate individuals but with the same blood.
I want you all to know that I loved you and raising you was the highest and most wonderful part of my life.
Thank you for my grandchildren. They are your gifts to me.
Try hard to have patience. Hold your tongue. You all have wonderful husbands. Treat them such as you would like to be treated!
Everyone makes mistakes in life! Chalk it up to a learning experience. The mistake will always be with you but you must not be hard on yourself. Remember Christ came to forgive us all. Put it all behind you. Go on with your life and do good!
This is to be a celebration of my life! Please be thankful you were here to bid me goodbye and I will hear it all!
Billie Jo
