Everything Mom

You’re an Irreplaceable part of who I am
You have taught me wrong from right
You have picked up the pieces when I have fallen
You have bitten your tongue even thought it hurts
To let me be my own person
To learn in my own way

The things you have taught me, too many to say
Your have always been a peace maker in your very own special way
You have taught me joy, love and pain
You have even cheered me on standing in the rain

We have seen some amazing places a journey our whole life through
My constant quest for adventure, I owe it all to you
I have stumbled and fallen many times
To your knowledge I have not committed any crimes
All the heart ache, tears and pain have created an unbreakable bond
The memories we have made together will live forever and beyond

There is no replacing your love
Your lessons continue from above
Compassion and wisdom always showing through
I am proud of everything you’ve been able to do

I could not have asked for a better friend and parent
Your love and devotion so inherent
It amazes me how much you knew
You were always there to see thing through
The way you conducted yourself with grace and class
Even when I was a total pain in your ass

I know that you have ventured on
So many fond memories you’ve passed on
Your legacy of mischievous fun will be our bond
Our family understands why you had to abscond

As we both start our new adventure we will always have each other
You know Dad will do a great job to fill the void of you our mother
I know you will always be cheering me on in whatever I do
You will make our wishes always come true
I wish you a world of happiness, peace, joy and love
With God and the rest of your motley clan above

You have been everything to us and have shown us the way
I raise my glass to you mom and will love you each and every day

Your Son

September of 1973 was a special time for me.  My children both attended Masonridge Elementary School.  After dropping them at the door for their first day of school, I met another Mother that had dropped off her daughter. She introduced herself as Carol Boland.  We became fast friends and for fourteen years enjoyed a friendship that few people have in a lifetime.  Never a day went by while we were in St. Louis that we did not talk to one another.

Carol taught me so many lessons--great and small.  I learned to macrame, find great pottery, enjoy art(photography), plant daffidils, entertain, cook, water ski(sort of) and throw a great party.  We shared being Brownie and Girl Scout leaders, being room Mothers, Adventure Club and our great dinners held in our backyards.  We loved our trips to Sanabel and Keystone.  The Bolands exposed us to "The Lake" and many wonderful, happy experiences(too numerous to mention) were shared by the McCarthys and others.  "Partytime" grew out of our need to see each other and became the dreaded word for our friends.  Carol taught me to be patient, to laugh alot at myself, to love life and to be tough.

We grew up with our kids as we hauled them  to Queeny Park for night time cross-crountry skiing and bike rides to Dunkin Donuts on Sunday mornings.  We once went for a walk on Mason Road, got lost, and got home five hours later.  We talked the whole walk.

Our lives took us away from each other but I always thought we would meet again--maybe in a nursing home where we would hug and start planning another escapede.

You left too early, my sweet friend.  I feel such sadness for all of us, as you were so loved.  Maybe I will be lucky enough to see your smile and hear your laugh in the distant future.  The world has lost a great gal, wonderful wife, super Mom, Grandmother, and friend.

Sweet Dreams,

Cathie

P.S.  You looked splendid in the big white hat