My Eulogy for you, Mother

I have heard it said in our family that I was the favorite or that John was the favorite, but I think we all know that each of Mother’s four children had a special place in her heart. She was so proud of Linda for going back to school and getting her master’s and then her doctorate. She said she was "smart as a whip". Mother and Jim loved to tell the story of "Susan’s interview" with the Atlanta tv station as she deplaned at the Atlanta Airport. "She is something else", Mother said. Susan could do anything in Mother’s eyes. Johnny was the good family man; the one she could count on, and Mother thought I was resourceful, and had too big of a heart. And Jon…Jon was the one she called when she really needed help!!

When we were little, Mother would make our Halloween costumes. On Easter, we all three got bunnies(this was before you, Johnny). Mother made us aprons with crayons; later she sold these very successfully at Daddy’s store. Mother could make everything all right. I remember when we lived on Adams Drive, and she stayed up all night making my Easter dress so that I could go to church with my boyfriend the next day. I was also told that she stayed with me for a year while I had Scarlet Fever.

When the Grandchildren came, Mother went to the hospital to see everyone of them. This was often difficult as Mother and Jim did not always live close. But, there they would be with smiles on. The night Katherine was born, and Jake was dying, Mother and Jim ran from floor to floor of the hospital.. They took us to Europe one by one or at least made sure we got to go, and when they were finished, they started taking the grandchildren. until they became too sick to go. They wanted us all to have every experience we could have. She went to every high school graduation she could, birthday parties, and I know some of these times she did not feel good.

Mother had a bigger heart than any of us gave her credit for. She bought houses for two of her children when they had no place to live. She gave grandchildren tuition money when they could not afford to go to college.

I like to think that Mother is now in no pain. I have not seen anyone fight so hard to live. I think she really really wanted to see her grandbaby, and see Jamie and Leanne and Jake graduate..see Ellie.

Well, kids..you are on your own. Guess it’s time to cut the apron strings and grow up!! Mother would have wanted that.