In Loving Memory of Mom...: 06/01/2008 - 07/01/2008

Friday, June 27, 2008

Memory Bears...

Last night I was watching a television show, Denise Richards...It's Complicated. Denise Richards is an actress I am sure most of us have heard/seen/read about. Well her mother recently died of Cancer. Denise has two little girls and to help with their loss she had two Memory Bears made for them. Memory Bears are a keepsake teddy bears made out of cherished clothing of a loved one. What a GREAT idea and now I must have one!

I googled memory bears and here's what I came up with. I hope to order one soon and I will be sure to post pictures once I have the bear.


Check out this site...
http://www.treasuredmemorybears.com/

Wednesday, June 25, 2008

Thoughts of the Day...

My rambling thoughts of the day...

I can cry if I think about it or simply hold it back.

Sometimes I wonder if I am doing the right thing. Going about my life and living day to day.

If I laugh too much do other's think I am done grieving.

I thought about calling you today but....

Tuesday, June 24, 2008

Reminiscing...

This past Saturday was Mia's birthday party. She tumbled, rolled, jumped and belly flopped at her tumbling party. We then headed over to Mike & Lisa's for a day of fun under the sun and a BBQ. The party was a success and Mia loved every minute of it. As the evening wound down and almost all of the guests had left we sat around and told stories of Mom. There were just a few close friends of Mike & Lisa's left, Glenn, Jessica and Terry, John & I, Steven and his friend Shaun and Mike and Lisa. There were some great stories, lots of tears but also laughter. We talked about Mom, her life, what she has taught all of us, the struggles we all went threw growing up and how she always made sure we had what we needed. We talked about the good times and wished we could go back and relive them. We were complimented on how we, the immediate family, has gone on and how we have remained strong. It was a great time and I was glad to be part of it. Mom, we know you were up there listening...Hope you had a laugh or two also :)

~Christine

Wednesday, June 18, 2008

Happy Birthday Mia Mouse


Dearest Mia Mouse,

Today you turned two and celebrated your birthday with all of us. You share your birthday with your daddy which I am sure means the world to him. Two years ago when we found out the day you were to be born Nana got so excited. She went for a manicure/pedicure and had your name written on her toes. I wish I had taken a picture to show you. Always know that your Nana loves you very much, watching and guiding you from up above. Happy Birthday Michael and Mia!

~Christine




Monday, June 16, 2008

Thankful...


This past Saturday was the Memorial party for Mom and it was a success. There were close 40 people ... Family, friends, co-workers. We all gathered to celebrate Mom's life but if you sat back and thought of why we were having the party it would bring tears to your eyes but if you looked out into the pool and heard the laughter and saw the smiles on her grandchildern's faces you know that we were there to celebrate LIFE, her LIFE!

I am thankful that the family could be together. Thankful that my Brother Bob, Sister-in-Law Sandi and nephew Gavin, who live in Pennsylvania were able to drive in. Thankful that we got to see, Aunt Diana who we haven't seen since Mom's wake. Thankful that we could spend time with two of Mom's co-workers, Robin & Melanie. Thankful that dear friends of the family, The Borman's, were able to be there. Thankful that my husband's entire family came to share the day. Thankful for the sun that was shining hot that day and for the rain that watered the lawn that evening. Thankful for all of the help and support that has been shown to our family over this past year. Thankful for the abundance of food and drink that we had. Thankful for the beautiful basket of flowers from my Brother Michael, Sister-in-Law Lisa and Niece Mia. Thankful for the bouquet of flowers from the Borman's and my dear friend Tracy. Thankful for being able to hear story's about Mom and laugh about the same. Thankful for my dear Husband who ran his butt off shopping for the party. Thankful for everyone that sat and thought of us on that day.

I will leave you with this... "Life Is Not Measured By The Number Of Breaths You Take But By The Moments That Take Your Breath Away."

My breath has been taken away by all of the Love and Support that has been shown to our family and for that I am forever... Thankful.

~Christine

Wednesday, June 11, 2008

Thank you...

Thank you, thank you, thank you, for all of the calls and emails yesterday and today regarding the anniversary of Mom's passing. Yesterday was tough but we got through it. We are all hanging in there. We received such kind, caring words, letting us know that everyone is thinking of us. John and I went to the cemetery and placed some flowers down. We also brought with us the stone and placed it down by her headstone. We then brought it home with us and placed it in our garden.

I wanted to share two thoughtful and caring emails with you from my Mom's co-workers and I hope that the senders don't mind. We thank everyone for keeping our family in your thoughts and prayers.

~Christine

~~~
Hi Christine,

Today being the anniversary, we are all thinking about you and your family. We are praying that God helps you thru this difficult day and surrounds you with the peace of knowing that she is in a better place, without pain. And the comfort , knowing that she will always be with you, in your hearts. We all love your family and you will forever be in our hearts and prayers!
Love, Donna
~~~
Hi Christine,

I know this is a very difficult time for you. It took me a good two years to really get over losing my Mom, and yes you never get over it but it does get better. It will be five years now that I lost my Mom on June 13th. Our relationship always reminded me of yours and Judy's. We did everything together. I feel like I lost two Mom's in the same month. If you need anything please let me know.

Love to you and your family, Robin

Tuesday, June 10, 2008

One year of missing you...

Dear Mom,

It’s been one year since you have been gone though it seems just like yesterday. I have gone over in my mind a hundred times what I would write to you today. I truly can’t believe that this happened. Just the day before we were all gathered at our Father’s Day picnic enjoying time as a family and the next day we were all gathered mourning your loss. I am happy and take comfort that everyone got to see you that day.

I have really had a hard time adjusting to my new “role”. You were always there for me. I miss calling you at work. I miss telling you not to mess up the couch. I miss asking you if you want to go to the diner for Saturday morning breakfast. I miss taking you to Target and you getting into that motorized chair. I miss watching American Idol and the Soaps together. I miss your cooking. I miss that silly face that you make.

I have learned that Life doesn’t stop for anything. The world keeps turning and you need to keep up. The day you died and there after there was still laundry to do, a house to clean. The world didn’t stop even though I wanted it to. I just couldn’t understand that while we were back and forth at your hospital bedside that people in the lobby of the hospital were watching television, their world still the same as mine was crashing down. Time stands still for no one.

I don’t have the answers as to why this happened but they say that everything happens for a reason. I may never know that reason or understand the “why”. I do know that you have instilled in me a sense of value. I am everything that I am because of you. I try to carry on your beliefs mixed with your sense of humor.

You will be happy to know that I can cook. I know you knew that but now I actually enjoy cooking and baking. Every time I take out your recipe box and see your writing you are there with me... cooking right by my side.

There were days in the beginning that I would lay in your bed and cry. I try not to cry in front of others so not to upset any one but my tears, my pain, are still so real. I hope one day soon that the tears will be fewer, the smiles more frequent and the memories more vivid. For now, it still hurts too much. “If tears could build a stairway and memories were a lane, I would walk right up to Heaven and bring you home again.”

We didn’t get to say goodbye and no farewell words for spoken. I didn’t get to say that I Love You but only God knows why. My heart still aches in sadness and secret tears still flow. What it meant to lose you, no one will ever know.

I had a stone inscribed with the saying from your prayer card. The stone will be placed in our front garden as a reminder of you. You were the “rock” of this family. The stone reads…”Our family chain is broken, and nothing seems the same: But has God calls us one by one the chain will link again.

I miss and love you with all of my heart and soul. Till we meet again…

Your daughter, Christine

Wednesday, June 4, 2008

Would we have...

With the one year anniversary of Mom's passing quickly approaching I was sitting and wondering what we would have done had we known that these were her last few days. Would we have called in sick all week to spend the time together? Would we have ditched all of the chores around the house in order to do something fun? Would we have went to visit some place that she had wished she would get to see? Would we have eaten all of her favorite meals? Would we have watched Lord of the Rings for the hundredth time...together? Would we have prayed to God to please change his mind? Would we have done the things that we hoped to do in the future? Would we have sat and talked about how I would gone on? Would she have played, hugged and kissed her grand kids just one minute longer? Would we have each said we LOVED each other? Would we have...???

~Christine

Monday, June 2, 2008

I went for you...

Okay Mom I went for you...On Saturday we went to see Indiana Jones. The third movie in the series. Mom loved Indiana Jones. Me, it's okay. We went to your favorite theater, Westbury Stadium, the one you went with James to, all the time. They actually should have a wing for the two of you since you saw Lord of the Rings there for like 17 weeks straight :)

There was a line in the movie that has stuck with me and if I remember it correctly it was Indiana Jones talking to a kid, a teenager, who later you find out is his son. His son was saying that he wasn't getting along with his Mom right now and Indy went on to say...You should be nice to her, you only get one, and you don't know for how long. Oh, how true...
~Christine

Nana and her babies...

Nana and her babies...
Gavin, Matthew & Mia with Nana taken Easter Morning 2007