My mom was only 44 years old when she died from breast cancer. It's hard to believe I'm now 5 years older than she was when it all ended. I feel so young, and I feel like I have so much of my life ahead of me. I cannot even comprehend how she must have felt back then.
It really struck a chord this afternoon when the man putting together the DVD collage emailed me saying that my mom died too young. Just think how long ago 1985 was, and how much you've done (or haven't done) since then.... Some of you readers weren't even born yet, and you've lived your entire life after my mom's death!
We have no idea when we're going to die. It could be tomorrow, the next year, or 50 years from now, for all you know. With that in mind, let me offer these few thoughts in regard to my mom's life and untimely death:
- Live today like there's no tomorrow. You never know when your number might be up. In that same vein, don't put off until tomorrow what you can do today. Have you been meaning to lose some weight, learn a musical instrument, read a book, or travel somewhere? What are you waiting for??? Do it now before it's too late!!!
- Put a smile on somebody's face next chance you get. I remember my mom was always good at making me smile and laugh, and it was always nice to see her smiling face. Those memories are priceless, and you can make a difference in someone's life just by smiling - seriously.
- There's usually better things to do with your time than watching TV. My mom was never much of a TV-watcher. She preferred to bake, cook, read, and garden. In particular, she was an excellent cake decorator. She was also active with the Brownies and Girl Scouts when my sister Cindy was younger. You can make a difference in someone's life that way.
- Help somebody out next chance you get. My mom was always good at doing little things for people -- sewing a button on a shirt, visiting a grandparent or parent, giving someone a ride home after school, or cooking a favorite meal or dessert. And she helped out the elderly folks in our neighborhood when she could. I remember taking Christmas cookies to many of our older neighbors, and a simple thing like that really lit up their lives. There's always someone nearby who needs your help.
This is my mom, then Darlene Hoffer, when she was still in high school. This is one of her senior proofs, so it was probably taken sometime in 1958. My mom's parents didn't have a lot of money, and it wouldn't surprise me if she had to use her own money to pay for her senior photos. She worked at the Portage Dairy Queen back then, and that's where she and my dad met!
I'm guessing this photo was taken in 1964 or 1965, a few months after we moved into the house in Baraboo where my sister Cindy and I grew up.
Here's a shot from August 1969 -- shortly after the landing on the moon. When lots of people their age were partying it up at Woodstock, my mom and dad were busy raising a family (my mom was 28 here; my dad was 31).
My mom and me, hanging out on the couch. This was in the early 1970's -- dig that groovy furniture! (Oh, and GO PACK!) My mom was a great listener, and that's an important thing. People need to have someone who will just ask questions and listen, rather than blab on and on about themselves.
This was taken sometime in the late 1970's. My mom is with our cat Leo. Leo died when my mom was sick with cancer, and I think she took it pretty hard. Of all the cats she shared a house with, I think that Leo might have been her favorite.
Looking through the photo albums, I was surprised how many group shots of Cindy, my mom, my dad, and me were taken in the 1980's. My mom was sick with cancer during much of that time, and I guess we feared the worst. I believe this one was taken in 1984.
This is a nice photo of my dad and mom taken in the summer of 1985. My mom's condition took a turn for the worse a month or two later.
1 comments:
Thanks Rick! Your mom was the best! She was like my second mom. I call Cindy every year on this date..except for one I missed..I cried and called her the next day. This may sound strange and Cindy may have told you.. Your mom comes to me in my dreams(Last Night) and it usually when Cindy needs me to call her..Very Strange. Thank you for this tribute and yes...she died way too young. I still miss her, I can't imagine how much you all miss her. I remember her green and red popcorn balls that she would make at this time of year! They were so good. Cindy gave me the recipe. I think I am going to make those with my boys this year! Have a good Christmas Rick! Thanks again for the memories!
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