The Mama

I recently began my practice schedule for an upcoming musical.....Fiddler on the Roof. I am proud to say, I am a Mama... If you know Fiddler and you know the song, "Tradition", I will proudly blast the fact that I am one of the Mamas over and over and over! While I am "practicing" to be a Mama on the stage, I am a true Mama in real life, loving my children AND my grandchildren more than I can possibly put into words. I also am in "the club" as my friend Suzie calls it....the club of those who have had to say "see ya' later" to our Moms and wait, not always so patiently, until the day when we will see them again. It is not a fun club to be in. It is not a club we enter by choice. If we had anything to say about it, we would like to stay OUT of the club for as long as possible. God knows a different plan, for me, for Suzie, for Mary, for Janet, for Connie, for my brothers, Nick, Mike, Pat and Tom, for my sisters, Linda, Susie, Ginny and Kristy, and for all of us who are here, just waiting....

This week, Julie and her 8 brothers and sisters joined our club. I traveled up the interstate to hug Julie, to cry with her and to help her through on this terrible journey. I have taken the liberty to pirate a few of the quotes written on Julie's facebook page. The FIRST one is actually written BY Julie. She is amazing! Also, today is her Birthday, and since it is blasted all over the internet, I will say, her 43rd birthday. She looks amazing, and IS amazing and I am SOOO blessed to call her my friend. I will help her though the club initiation, I will listen, I will talk, I will hug and I will cry with her, and help her ease into the journey as we make our way to the day when we will be together with our loved ones again. "I Can Only Imagine"......

At last, my Mom is HEALED... at home with Jesus, never to suffer cancer again... no more pain, no more walker, no more pain meds, no more glasses or magnifiers, no more suffering. Rejoicing for her, but missing her so already -Julie

The following were copied from facebook. Sorry to not give credit to who wrote them, but really, it does not matter. It is about Julie and her Mama..............

* I know your mom fought cancer for a long time and now she can live without pain with Jesus. I can't imagine your pain-praying for you and for all your family. I know it will be a tough birthday-but praise God you had 43 years with a wonderful mom!

*Your mother was a wonderful lady. So many laughs with her. We are thinking of you and your family during this time as we celebrate her life.

*Hope you feel my hugs surrounding you as you continue on your journey this week.

*Oh Julie...I agree with your words totally! Know that you and your family are on my prayer list...moms are pretty special people in our lives...here's a big hug!

*We will keep you and your family in our thoughts and prayers. What a beautiful tribute you wrote. Sending you Angels, love, and hugs!

*Watching someone fight the battle with Cancer is not easy but the end result is bittersweet as she is no longer suffering from that evil desease instead she is at home in peace and knowing that will help you find comfort when you find yourself missing her.. She was a wonderful person and will be missed.

*I know the day is bitter-sweet for you, missing have your mom here to give you good wishes face-to-face but also rejoicing that she is at peace & going to her eternal Home, she is present in your heart today, wishing you all the best for a great 43rd year of celebrating life!

*Julie your mother had a beautiful smile. Thanks for sharing her obituary with all of us. Can see her passion and love for life through you and her grandchildren. What a wonderful legacy she has left. Love you and praying for all of you. :):)

*A twinkle in her eye, and a smile on her face! What a great picture,.. and a very precious memory.

*Good night my friend. I am so glad you are in my life....love you! I don't know what I would do without you!!! So happy to have friends to lean on....I will think of you without ceasing tomorrow as you celebrate your mama!

It is me again, the Choose Joy girl, crying in my soup, missing my own mama. After I posted this, I looked at the blog and right below THIS post, Blogspot magically linked it to a post about my brothers and sisters AND my beautiful mama! Amazing how things work!!! And then, just to see if it worked every time so YOU could see it, I tried again, and POOF!!! The link is gone. No worries, I usually always have something sappy to link to if that is your wish. I really don't NEED a link to think of mom. I can come up with a thought, a quote, a laugh, a memory, a hug, a time with mom at any moment. That's the beauty....they are not gone, they are just away, waiting for us. Out of sight, but never, never, never out of mind. Love you forever Mama!!!