It’s so hard to explain the kind of relationship I had with Mom. She was definetly not your typical “Mother Inlaw”. She hated that term, and by the way she treated myself and Amber, she was anything but that. I remember her telling me it should be “Mother Inlove” if anything. I have a huge hole in my heart today because she was my Mom. I absolutely adored everything about her. For one, she had impeccable style - a true fashionista. She had great taste in shoes and handbags, and when it came to her makeup and skin care - she was downright genius. But beyond those things she had a heart of gold. She served in the special needs ministry for years and it was such a deep heart felt passion of hers to be there for those children. She made a living by creating lasting memories for newly weds with her photography business, yet it was so much her passion, that it was more like her hobby. She loved her family more than anything; and she absolutely adored Dad. In fact I know that the husband I have today, is a direct reflection of the kind of loving marriage she had with her husband.
She was such a giving person. Her love language was gifts and she was real good at it... always sending us care packages with new clothes for the kids, candy for her son, and Victoria’s Secret gift cards for... her son ; ) Today as I helped to make preparations for her Memorial Service, my sister told me that Mom left a birthday gift for me. Of course it’s so typical of her to be so overly prepared - my birthday is 8 months away. The gift she left for me... a Michael Kors handbag... because I’m just as much a brand name snob as she was! It’s a bittersweet gift, not so much because of the monetary value of it, but completely because it’s just totally Mom. The gift sums her up. Overly prepared, always thinking of her kids, always being generous.
There aren’t words to describe the kind of love us kids have for our Mom... whether we were given birth by her or blessed enough to have been placed in her life by one of her big-hearted sons, she is our Mother Inlove and will always be.
I will miss her!
Wow - Tori! This is an amazing tribute to her. I am sure you have so many questions that you want answered and only God will have the answer for. Allow yourself to grieve - you have to - it is part of the process but you know- I know you do - that God is holding your hand throughout it all. You have so many wonderful memories to always remind you of her and how special she was. God bless you and your family.
ReplyDeleteI'm so thankful for Pat and the impact she had upon your life. It was my joy to share the mothering role with her. I'm especially grateful for the love of marriage that she instilled in her son. You are a blessed woman to have been part of her life. May you always cherish that gift. I love you!
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