My Mother was my best friend. She was a devout Catholic girl from the boarding school era who never, ever complained about being abused. She attributed her experience in boarding school as one that helped her achieve an admirable level of self-control. I believed everything my Mother told me.
She played basketball and was a cheerleader while in high school. She once told me her high school nickname was Creep because she had the ability to just creep away when in a group of friends who found themselves in trouble with the priests or nuns. She never got caught.
She graduated from St. Francis Mission High School and earned a college degree. I was very proud of her when she received her college degree. My Mother always encouraged me to continue my education.
When my siblings and I were small children, our Mother would take us shopping and spend her entire paycheck on new clothes for school. I remember her washing our clothes in one of those wringer washers and hanging them on the clothesline.
Each school day she would lay out our clean clothes for us. We lived in the country so she would drive us to and from school every day so we didn’t have to walk. She always made sure we had enough food to eat. My Mother made sure we had the things we needed. My Mother loved my siblings and me.
I remember one Halloween when she made our costumes all by hand. My sister and I were dressed like hobos; we even had those little sticks with the sack of hobo stuff dangling from the end slung over our shoulders. She spent a lot of time sewing patches on some old clothes we had. I was very small but I remember we won a prize at the costume contest.
My Mother always put her children first in her life. She always acted in our best interest. If we needed something she would find some way to get it. She encouraged me in all my endeavors. No matter what I wanted to do, my Mother allowed me the freedom to live my own life and make my own mistakes. I am the person I am today because of everything my Mother taught me. She was an excellent role-model.
My Mother had a great sense of humor. She confided a lot about her life to me. She always gave me good advice. When I was a teenager she was very supportive of me. She came to all the school activities I participated in. Sometimes I thought she was a bigger fan of the basketball team than I was! She always glowed with pleasure when people asked us if we were sisters.
Next month it will be 22 years since my Mother made her journey to the spirit world. Her passing left a major void in my life. I will always miss her. You do not know what it is like to be without your Mother until she is gone.
Take the time to call your Mother on Mother’s Day. If you live within driving distance, please go see her in person. Give her a hug and tell her you love her. Fix her lunch or take her out to eat. Buy her flowers. Tell her you appreciate everything that she has done for you.
If you and your Mother are not on speaking terms, find it in your heart to mend whatever rift is between you. She made the choice to bring you into this world. Honor her for your life!
Sicangu News 