If ever there is a tomorrow...

"If there's ever a tomorrow when we're not together,

there's something you should remember:

You're braver than you believe,

stronger than you seem,

and smarter than you think.

But the most important thing is, even if we're apart,

I'll always be with you."

~Christopher Robin to Pooh

She's got a way about her...

She's got a way about her

I don't know what it is

But I know that I can't live without her

She's got a way of pleasin'

I don't know why it is

But there doesn't have to be a reason anywhere

She's got a smile that heals me

I don't know what it is

But I have to laugh when she reveals me

She's got a way of talkin'

I don't know why it is

But it lifts me up when we are walkin' anywhere

She comes to me when I'm feelin' down

Inspires me without a sound

She touches me and I get turned around

She's got a way of showin'

How I make her feel A

nd I find the strength to keep on goin'

She's got a light around her

And ev'rywhere she goes a million

Dreams of love surround her ev'rewhere

She comes to me when I'm feelin' down

Inspires me without a sound

She touches me, I get turned around oh oh oh

She's got a smile that heals me

I don't know why it is

But I have to laugh when she reveals me

She's got a way about her

I don't know what it is

But I know that I can't live without her any way

~~~~

~ Billy Joel - She's Got A Way~

A late Easter post...

With the hussle and bussel of Easter approaching and my new found position (only female in the house) I had a lot on my shoulders. Today as we get back to the day to day I sit and reflect on last Easter and this past one. Last Easter was Mom's last...who would have known. Who would have known that taking the picture of her holding all three of her grand babies would be the picture that we each display around our homes. Who would have known...

This Easter went off very well. We again each chipped in and had a great day. We celebrated with 30 plus people and everyone had a great time.

I took my moment before everything started and shed my tears for my mother. I know that she was looking down with great pleasure at what we pulled off. John made her dandelion soup and it was a complete hit. We had two new guests that I hope my Mom would have approved of. Actually if it wasn't for her initial contact and invitation with them over a year ago it would not have happened.

I miss my Mom every single day and hope that I am making her proud. Happy Easter!

I leave you with these two poems that I found ... Authors Unknown...

Easter comes again, dear Mother,
The first since you passed away;
The empty chair you left us with
Will grace your presence here today,
We’ll bow our heads in silent prayer,
Our hearts are filled with pride,
To know that God has choosen you
To live there by His side.
So now we’ll try to be content.
We know that you’re at rest.
For God works only for our good
and does things for the best.

~~~~~

If you could just be here with me
Or I could be there with you.
And we could chat of this and that
And the things we used to do.
Wouldn’t it be wonderful,
wouldn’t the world seem gay,
And wouldn’t it be grand to be
Together this Easter Day?

~Christine

Happy St. Patrick's Day...

Saint Patrick's Day is here upon us and for all of you who know something about my family you know that we make Corned Beef and Cabbage. Why... no idea ...we're Italian. I can't stand the stuff but it's what we do. Today also marks 20 years since my Grandmother passed away. Do you know what we ate 20 years ago...Corned Beef...why...because you just do. Grandma said so, Mom said so, so now I say so. I don't touch the stuff and neither does my sister, brother and sister in law. For us Mom would make english muffin pizza's...yummy. Well I hope in heaven they too are having a feast because it wouldn't be St. Patrick's Day without the Corned Beef. I hope Mom & Grandma are smiling down and seeing that I am carrying on this tradition....

An Irish Blessing . . .

May the road rise to meet you,

May the wind be always at your back.

May the sun shine upon your face

The rains fall soft upon your fields

And, until we meet again,

May God hold you in the palm of his hand.

~~~~~~~~

Happy Saint Patrick's Day!

~Christine

Someone better get a move one...

Well Easter is a little over a week away and someone, who shall remain nameless (me), has better get her caboose into gear. We have over 20 probably close to 30 people coming for Easter and let's just say I haven't done a thing to prepare yet. By now my mother would have some sort of list as to what we were gonna eat...me...nope. I did find Mom's list from last year. She always made lists. So now at least I have something to go on. John has vowed to make the Minesta soup or as I refer to it "weed soup". I always teased my Mom about it. The soup is actually made from dandelions. That's right those "weeds" that grow in your grass, on the side of the parkways...all over. I remember last year going shopping for the dandelions. Mom, Me, Teresa and Matthew went to the vegetable stand. We had a great time. I wish that we could do that again but this year's trip I will be solo. It will be sad but my Mom would be pleased to know that we are going to make it. Well I'm off to make my own list...it's a family tradition :)

~Christine

I'll be missing you...

Every step I take, every move I make

Every single day, every time I pray

I'll be missing you

Thinkin of the days, when you went away

What a life to take, what a bond to break

I'll be missing you

It's kinda hard with you not around (yeah)

Know you in heaven smilin down (eheh)

Watchin us while we pray for you

Every day we pray for you

Til the day we meet again

In my heart is where I'll keep you friend

Memories give me the strength I need to proceed

Strength I need to believe

My thoughts Big I just can't define (can't define)

Wish I could turn back the hands of time

I'll be missing you...

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I Will Be Missing You
Artist: Puff Daddy

Nine months...

Nine months have passed yet it seems like today

The world keeps turning and the days melt away.

How to go on, as the pain is so real

Do others remember, how do they deal?

Nine months have passed and I carry on

Your values, Your beliefs, just as my own.

I stop, I think, would you approve of my ways,

My plans, My dreams, My hopes...

I know you are there, guiding my way

You are the sunlight in my day,

You are the moon I see far away.

You are the words inside my song,

You are my love, my life, my Mom.

~Christine

A memory found...

I found this picture of me and Mom...It was taken in the early 90's in our backyard...

Change of name...

For those of you who I call from my house phone...

You know that the name that appears on your caller ID is Mom...well I called Verizon today to pay our bill and asked about having the account put into my name...that's just to complicated on Verizon's end but what they can do is change the caller ID name. So our bill will still be in Mom's name but the caller ID will show my name. It was sad doing it but I figured that you on the other end get a little freaked out when I call and Mom's name pops up. The change should take effect shortly...sad, so very sad....

~Christine

John's dream...does it mean anything?

This morning John told me he had a dream. A dream that he went back in time. He wanted to tell my Mother not to have the Gastric Bypass surgery...

"I dreamt that I built a time machine to go back and stop your Mom from having the surgery. I went back and she refused to believe that I was from the future, so then I went to the day she died and tried to get her to go to the hospital, still she wouldn’t listen, as a result I relived the day again, having to make all the calls I did that day. I woke up crying hysterically." ~John

A moment...

Last night I walked into the garage (our game room) and found Steven sniffling. What's wrong...his friend sent him a song that a Rapper wrote about his Mom who passed away. Steve played the song for me and we both cried and hugged. The song was beautiful and even though it was a Rap song, it told a story. A story about someone who's Mom died and the pain that he felt. It was good to cry with Steve...a nice bonding moment, and it helped me to remember that everyone feels Mom's loss, just because they don't show it on a daily basis they miss her terribly. WE ALL MISS HER TERRIBLY!!

~Christine