grrlTravels

My Eulogy

Some of the best memories I have of my Mom revolve around travel, whether near or far. Most of her trips involved driving in the car, many times in Aunt Betty’s black Chrysler. There was the oft-remembered journey to Texas in the summer heat, the many drives to Pittsburgh, the ill-advised trip to Ohio, two roundtrips each year to Camp Sankanac, a wintery visit to me in Chicago, and the many vacations in Maine. Mom could be described as an inveterate car traveler, one whose program was planned and followed. Stops were kept to a minimum and were executed as quickly as possible. She would say to her sisters, “Girls, put on your shoes and button your pants. We’re going to stop.” My mother would park the car, use the ladies room, order food, and eat her meal, all while the sisters were still dithering and giggling and lagging far behind her.

Her most exotic adventure was the wonderful trip of a lifetime with her sister Betty to Australia to visit friends. That year my Mom and Aunt Betty ended up spending Mother’s Day in a rough bar in the Australian outback. She was asked to name her favorite beer among other questions posed to the two American ladies stranded in the middle of nowhere on a Sunday afternoon. [Both were lifelong teetotalers.]

The car was an important part of our family time. Driving around on Saturdays when Dana and I were kids, we would usually end up some place fun, whether it was the Berlin Mart, Long Beach Island, Batsto, Longwood Gardens, the Ocean City Boardwalk, or somewhere farther afield. Although our backseat squabbling sometimes drove our parents to distraction, we mostly had a good time, singing with the radio and laughing and observing the scenery. Most of our trips were local and repeated often, but that didn’t make them any less fun.

Most of my travels with my mom were mundane. My mother traversed Chapel Avenue each day, back and forth to the high school. She attended most of my field hockey games and track meets, and picked me up from school almost every day to save me from riding the late bus. Many, many more trips were made to Massachusetts to take me back and forth to college, and enable me to get home for holidays and special occasions. So many miles in the car—perhaps if we gathered all her miles up and strung them from end to end she may have reached Rebecca in India, her friends in Australia, or gone around the world.

Traveling with my mother was always fun because she was an interesting and entertaining person to be with. She was intelligent, well-informed and well read, and enjoyed watching the news, reading the newspaper, and staying abreast of current events. She had a good sense of humor and liked to laugh. One of her passions was quilting, and she blessed many relatives and friends with handmade quilts which she lovingly worked on for countless hours. Her interests were varied and some things she enjoyed were: playing with her grandchildren, email, singing in church, Kohr Brother’s custard, wrapping presents, the American flag, writing cards, lima beans, watching birds, Long Beach Island, walking, family parties, reading, Christmas trees, shopping in gift shops and antique stores, and exploring with Dad. Her favorite color was maroon, followed closely by navy. She hated to play games, shop for shoes, and cook. For years she was asked to bring soda or rolls to the family functions. Eventually she graduated to fruit salad, her specialty.

My mom disliked her middle name, which was Grace. I always thought it was a name befitting her. Her hands were graceful, whether sewing, knitting, crocheting, or quilting. Her frequent cards of encouragement were full of grace, written in her beautiful handwriting. She had a spirit of compassion which enabled her to minister lovingly to the many elderly patients she cared for. She generously supported many missionaries and causes. She introduced Dana and I to God’s grace, and was thankful for His grace in her own life.

For me, my Mother’s life was distinguished by a spirit of kindness and generosity. She was always kind to Dana and I, giving us unexpected gifts, listening to us, giving us each a good childhood. She was unfailingly kind to her patients and co-workers. She was kind to her relatives and friends, always willing to help out in any way. Her generosity is well known to many of you. She was generous with her time, abilities, and money. She taught me meaningful lessons about how to give generously and sacrificially.

My Mother’s life was sometimes marked by sadness and hardship. She was orphaned at a young age. She lost a daughter who was only hours old, and then saw her youngest child through a potentially life threatening illness. She battled various forms of cancer for many years. But through it all she lived her life with quiet dignity and strength. Her death is a great loss to her entire family and especially her grandchildren. Her love for E. and his enthusiastic response to it was clear and strong. She had a special bond with him which I will hold dear.

Finally I just want to say:
I love you Mom. I’m sorry that your illness was so devastating, so sudden and unexpected; your last days were so painful and arduous; your life ended so abruptly and too soon. Thank you for all of your gifts to me, both big and small. I am grateful that you are finally at peace, serving your Lord and rejoicing in His presence.

Posted by grrlTravels at September 24, 2004 12:10 PM