Gloria Angela Blache nee Dupigny born on Christmas Eve - December 24th....My Mother who will live on in my heart. A woman who gave the foundation on which my whole life is built. My Mother's core motivating force was LOVE and it was her love that has had a profound impact on the essence of who I am. A calling to live a life of service and to help make the world a better place. She was my mother and father, my best friend, my insides! She was my safe place.
I will miss our talks, as she was one of the few people I could tell anything...no judgement! She would quietly listen then share a similar experience and how she handled it. I will miss us standing in the kitchen as she taught me about healing herbs and pass down old remedies while teaching me how to cook. Then as I had children, watch her pass it onto them also.
How do you sum up a mothers life in a very few words, and for those of you who know me, well you know I love to talk, but today I want to share with you just a little of her journey in life and the impact she had on the people fortunate enough to have had the pleasure of crossing her path in life. A mother who loved and served the Lord with all her heart and soul.
My cousin Dawn Woodley was the first of the many young girls that my Mom took in and helped raise, along with Betty-Lou Lezama, Marilyn, Lisa Dookie while I was still a child living with her. Then after I left and got married then later re-located to Florida, she still continued sharing her home with many others, that I never got to meet and ending with Azaria her "adopted" daughter from her church. She also considered Jasmine, my brother Gerald's girlfriend another one of her daughters who would go walking around the Savannah with her to keep fit. She loved all these young ladies, and had the pleasure of watching them grow and blossom.
I thank the Lord that due to the Covid pandemic we had the pleasure of having her live in Florida with us for a year and got to experience so many memories that will stay with us forever. During one of our many talks, I asked her what was her biggest regret in life and I was surprised when she said that as a child she was unable to take advantage of the opportunity her Godmother presented to her to play the piano. I told her it is never too late and we can organize that for her while she was here in Florida. Unfortunately we were unable to bring this to fruition as the government sent a plane to bring people home. I was just amazed that having to be a single Mom to Gerald and myself and watching her handle all the curve balls life threw her way, that not being able to play the piano was her biggest regret. She saw all her life's ups and downs as learning experiences, which she handled alone and with grace...never once complaining.
Her siblings! She loved all 9 of them and as with any large family she was closer to some more than others....all that knew her, also knew of her special love for her brother Michael "Bunny" Dupigny. I remember fondly of Aunt Bessy sending care packages to us...it was like Christmas in the middle of the year. My Aunt Marina undeniable sense of style as she shared wardrobe, perfume and jewelry every visit with her.
As a result of her large family, she was blessed with nieces and nephews that impacted her life in a positive way. I never thought that she would out-live my brother Gerald and we worried that she would be alone at the end. How wonderful God is that my cousin Allison would step up and help manage all her finances with the help of her sister Joanne. That Ozzie would pitch in to help renovate her home while she was in Florida, that Stacia would go pray and bless her home at her request and all the others who pitched in.
Then there is my wonderful cousin Steve who moved in so she would not be alone...there are no words to explain to Clarissa - Steve's wife, the gratitude and love we have for her for the care and love she extended to my mother. The long hours and sleepless nights that were endured this past month especially. Singing and praying with her on her final night while holding her hand until she uttered her final words "I'm tired, I'm ready to go Home", sending her off as she would have wanted to go to meet her Father!
Let us remember that she was on loan to us and that God has a greater plan for her.
Mom you will always be in our hearts and minds forever more. This is not goodbye, you have gone to a reward that you have earned many times over. You were a giver and never a taker, a peacemaker, a mender, a quiet inspiration.
A mother and grandmother beyond peer and there is no greater praise than that!