Jeremy’s mom passed away last year.  She had just celebrated her 100th birthday on the fifth of February.  She was an amazing lady, and I am so grateful to her for raising the kind, considerate son with whom I get to share my life.  With Mother’s Day rapidly approaching, I wanted to share just a bit about her.

Before she retired, mom was a teacher.  I have always said that mom led such a long life because God was keeping her here on earth to show the rest of us how we should live.  You see, I never heard her say an unkind word about anyone!  I never heard her say anything unkind to my father-in-law while he was alive.  It seemed as if she never really entertained less than positive thoughts!  She approached her life with the motto, “Life is Good!”

Even in the last year, as she became non-ambulatory and required the care of a skilled nursing facility, she did not complain or grumble.  Surely, body parts must have hurt.  She had fallen and broken a hip with its resulting surgery, but she pretty much kept her discomforts to herself.  She preferred to present an outward facade that life is, indeed, good!

In thinking about all we learn from our moms, I have come to realize how fortunate I have been. How lucky I am to be able to have a flexible work schedule on my own terms.  I love our home and its location, which gives us uncomplicated access to nearly everything we need.  I love that I have time to pursue music, books, exercise, travel and crafts.  While we are certainly not wealthy, we have enough. Jeremy and I share a love and commitment that is strong enough to walk through anything.  We are surrounded by family and good friends.

As Mother’s Day approaches I realize how much I learned from Jeremy’s mom – she was the consummate teacher. The most gratifying moment for any teacher is that moment when “the light bulb” goes on.  It’s that time when the kid finally “gets it” and can continue to do the work on his own.

Well mom, our light bulb has gone on…Your lesson has been well taught and now it is up to us to keep doing the homework.  It is up to us to keep trying to emulate your principles:

A steadfast refusal
to give voice to negativity

and

A constant grateful spirit

I hope the rest of us will be able to go forward practicing these lessons which you have spent a lifetime demonstrating for us.  I know I, for one, will be forever grateful for your loving influence, and I hope that I can do justice to carrying forth the mantra that you so genuinely expressed nearly every day:

Life is Good!

Lynn