She would have been 81 today....

[Rob Wick]

Today would have been my mother's 81st birthday. Any successes or strengths I have had in life have been because of her love and guidance. Last year, on her 80th birthday, I quoted from the eulogy I delivered at her funeral. With your kind indulgence, I would like to post the entire eulogy, inviting those here either to take time and read it, or silently pass over it. Not a day passes that I don't think of her, especially after everything that happened to me this year. I've attached a picture that until this year I never knew existed. It is of my mother and father on their wedding day on (irony of ironies) February 12, 1954. They only had 15 years together, but the joy and mirthfulness on their faces inspires me to this day. It sits in a frame on my printer in my office, where it serves as a constant reminder from where I came.

By the way, the date referenced in the copy of the eulogy came from a posting on another site five years ago. It's now been 10 years since her passing.


Mom and Dad

Best
Rob

[L Verge]

God bless them both, Rob - and treasure the memories. That's all that life leaves us with.

[RJNorton]

Rob, thank you for sharing the beautiful tribute to your mother. After reading this I wanted to re-read the thread from one year ago today. It is here.

[Rsmyth]

Thanks for sharing Rob. We too had glasses from jelly jars.

[J. Beckert]

That was a beautiful eulogy, Rob. Thanks for sharing that. Being a great mother is the most important job in the world.

[HerbS]

Rob,Great job! I don't know how you brought yourself to deliver that eulogy in your time of grief.

[GARY POPOLO]

Rob, I am sorry for the loss of your mom. Reading your words showed me that you not only lost your mother but also a great friend. That had to be a very difficult time in your life. One thing you will always have is your memories of your life with her. You will never have that taken away from you. Take care my friend. Best Gary

[Rob Wick]

Thanks everyone for your kind words. I truly appreciate them.

Herb, to be honest, I'm not sure where I found the strength to do it. I figure part of it was because I felt I owed it to her to let people know exactly what she did in our lives. I had the idea of doing this after my college mentor died. His son gave the eulogy and did it in such a way that combined the love he had for his father along with anecdotes that showed how human the man was. I wanted to do the same for my mother.

Best
Rob

[L Verge]

And, you did it well.

BTW: We drank juice out of glasses that once held pimiento cheese spread when I was a child and ate cereal out of bowls that came in Ivory Snow boxes. Something else came in Quaker Oats, but I can't remember what. And last but not least, I ate a bologna sandwich for lunch today. The new brands just aren't as good as the slices that we used to watch coming off that big, long roll at the butcher counter, though. It always amazed me at how my uncle (who ran our country store) knew just how many slices made up a pound.

One thing I don't miss with the modern bologna, however, is pulling off the cellophane casing before you made your sandwich. And how many of you ate fried bologna -- and knew how to cut it so that it would lay flat in the pan once it got hot???

Thanks, Rob. Your memories brought back our memories. I think your mother would like that.

[Rob Wick]

Thanks Laurie. Since I can't eat bologna (or baloney as my mother always spelled it) anymore it has to be a memory.

Best
Rob

[Eva Elisabeth]

When bemoaning what we have lost we tend forget to cherish what we were allowed to have. It's good you didn't forget.
I try to see and be grateful for good times, people and things in my life when I have them, not only when they are already gone. “Our memories are the only paradise from which we can never be expelled” said Jean Paul Richter.

[brtmchl]

Thank you Rob. That was a beautiful eulogy. I'm touched that you would share such a personal part of youself. Your Mother sounds like a wonderful woman, I guess I would be proud to share those thoughts as well.

[HerbS]

Rob,I lost my mother and my wife and I am always looking for more strength to move on!You are a true Gentleman!

[Rob Wick]

Thank you Herb. That's very kind of you to say.

Best
Rob