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
Your mother was a woman of pure faith and because of that we know she is now resting in the arms of Jesus and that is a wonderful thing. For her loved ones still living on this earth I know the days without her are tough and I continue to pray you receive the comfort, strength and peace you need until you're all together again in heaven. The words she shares in that letter is so beautiful. The love she gave will continue to live on in you and all who were influenced by her. Thank you for sharing.
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful gift your mother left you! Thank you for sharing her beautiful and wise words with all of us.
ReplyDeleteOh my word. This was an excellent post. Pulls at the heartstrings for sure. Love that these words she wrote long ago, made their way to be heard by all.
ReplyDeleteYou were blessed with a wonderful mother!! I'm sorry your Uncle couldn't be there but to have Madison read the words she left for you all, absolutely amazing. Big hugs to you because I know you miss her. Just try to remember she is with God now and happy and healthy again.
ReplyDeleteThose are all good advice, sounds like your mom was a wise person with common sense.
ReplyDeleteOh Billie Jo! This is so awesome! I'm crying while reading it. Your mom was a wise and loving person and she left you with such great advice. This is a treasure.
ReplyDeleteThat choked me right up. What wonderful wisdom to pass to us.
ReplyDeleteOh friend. I cried when Madison read these words. I am crying reading them. What a gift your mother's life was. Thank you for sharing her with us so we may all learn from her wisdom.
ReplyDeleteNow I am crying, what a wonderful, wonderful mother you had!
ReplyDeleteYour mother left you a most precious gift.
ReplyDeleteBillie Jo: It's no wonder you have such strong love and affection for your mother. Her words here are perfect, something all of us should want to say and to be said of us. I especially like her perspective on mistakes. That is well-thought out and well-stated. Thank you for sharing.
ReplyDeleteYour Mom was so wise, as well as beautiful. This was an awesome decision to use her own words, no one could say anything better.
ReplyDeleteHi Billie Jo. What beautiful, heartfelt words. Your mother was an amazing woman and how blessed you are to be her daughter! She is a strong woman of faith, as are you, my friend. I have no doubt that you will see your mom again one day, in God's timing. Thanks for sharing these wonderful words.
ReplyDeleteHow very precious this post is, Billie Jo. Thank you for sharing it with me. I just learned this afternoon that one of my cousins passed away last Friday. I was able to speak with his wife this afternoon. None of us are promised tomorrow, and your dear Mama's words are filled with so much wisdom. Sending love and hugs your way. xx
ReplyDeleteYour mom said it perfectly! Words of wisdom.
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful eulogy of your mom, and having her own words makes it even more special. You are certainly blessed and passing along those same things to your kids. Blessings to you all . . .
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing your mom's words with us. Beautiful words that she knew you all would carry with you. Words of love and courage and faith. God bless.
ReplyDeleteHow fitting and so incredibly sweet to be able to read your Mom’s own words from her notebook. They brought a tear to my eye remembering my own mother’s passing so many years ago. Bless Madison for reading them. Your Mom would be so proud. She was a wonderful lady and so very wise. To have that notebook with her own handwriting, a true blessing and a true family treasure.
ReplyDeleteBillie Jo, this is so touching and the Lord must have had this all planned. What a wonderful eulogy....having your mom's own words spoken at her service. spoken directly to you all, her family. Absolutely beautiful.....Happy Weekend my friend and thank you for sharing
ReplyDeleteBeautiful...and you made me cry...keeping you in prayer my sweet friend.
ReplyDeleteWhat an amazing legacy! Your mom left you with such beautiful words, what a precious gift!
ReplyDeleteI'm typing this through tears, Billie Jo. Thank you for sharing her words. Your mom set a great example for what a loving mother should be.
ReplyDeleteYour mom was a remarkable and very wise lady, Billie Jo. This is a touching tribute. Xx
ReplyDeleteThis was so touching Billie Jo. Thank you so much for sharing. This moved me not only because my Mom is in the winter of her life and I think of how you much be feeling. But also because your Mom's words moved me and reminded me SO much of my own Mumsy (what I call my Mom) as she shares very similar sentiments and wise words with me. And even your Mom's handwriting is almost exactly like my Mom's! I pray for your continued healing heart dear Friend. xo
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