Eulogy from Keith,
I have many things to thank my Mother for
She always loved me unconditionally
She was selfless and nurturing
As a boy, ……..I always felt safe and secure in her arms.
Mom,......thank you, for keeping my secrets, like ...
not telling dad about the peas and carrots I would put in my napkin and hide in my pockets,
the one who does the laundry knows all!!
………………..
Evidence in hand, she would find me ……..and in private ……..she would tell me....
"eat them while they're warm…..silly……..and they'll taste better"
(I did try them warm, but they would still end up in my napkin and she would never tell)
or the time, I told her I wanted to marry Miss Persico, my third grade teacher,
she didn't embarrass me or giggle, she told me I was too young right now……….
but ASSURED I was going to be great husband someday.
And I walked away beaming.
Or the time..
She signed my report card with the big "D" in math, two minutes before I was running out the door to catch the bus, with only a promise..."I'll do better, Mom..REALLY, I will",
she REALLY trusted me!!.............
(and, I did do better, well…..a "C" IS better than a "D", not much better but it is better)
I don't know how she managed to always have the….. time….. to listen to me in all the commotion of raising 5 kids, …………….but she did.
Mom……
Your gentle spirit and enduring love guided me through some of the most
(difficult and confusing) times in my life.
I don't know if I would have made it through the High School and College years without you.
[Pause]....................
In college there was only one phone on each floor in the dorm, and my Mom …...never….. stopped calling me
That phone would ring and one of the guys on my floor would pick it up …
hey Thompson... it's for you, your Mom
She would make sure I was doing ok, bring me up to speed on what was going on at home, encourage me to do well, and then ask me the most important question on her mind..
“When are you coming home again?”
And into my adult years, she would still….. “make the time”….. for long conversations
Mom…
Thank you, for being vulnerable enough…….., to honestly, pour out your heart to me and for allowing me to do the same with you.
Your ability to understand what I was feeling,................ always …...amazed me.
Our bond was real……….., as only a bond between a son and mother can be.
You have been a role model for me as a parent
And I can only hope I will live up to your model
Cancer dimmed your light... but never took away your (gentle spirit) and enduring love.
Saying goodbye at the Florida house, in November
I told her I didn't want to go ………..but I had to go;
she looked at me,
holding her gaze and said
"you're a good son"
I could not hold back my tears, and told her …….”I love you, Mom”
she nodded her head and whispered in my ear ………..."I know"
We are grieving a tremendous loss and you will be greatly missed,,,,,,,,
But we celebrate a life………. because it was lived
with what was most important at its center.