Tonight's Blog

Oh, my.

That was a beautiful and well-written tribute from the heart to a lady whom I'm sure is every bit a fine as you described, and more. As with all mothers, her monuments are the children she brought into the world, who have each touched many lives and changed the ongoing future in ways no one can know. If I can say so, her youngest child is an especially great person, in my view.

You are so right, if we're lucky enough to have loving parents who have invested in us and done their best for us, we should not wait to tell them that we love them, admire them, are grateful to them, and that we appreciate all they've done. (Well, not only our parents, but all those who hold meaning to us.) I've heard funeral eulogies and grown sad that the departed never probably heard those words spoken, and that is sometimes almost as tragic as the loss that inspired them. I wish my grandmother had heard my grandfather at her funeral, pouring out his heart about how wonderful he thought she was. Why'd you wait to say all this, I thought?

Your mother is an extraordinary human being, and I'm so glad you let her know that you think so.

Thanks for sharing this.

You know, I've told my father I'm grateful to him for always---always---having my back in life, sometimes when it seemed like no one else did, and more than a few times when I didn't exactly applaud him for looking out for me. (I think you remember one of those times I'm recalling, lol.) But I'm not sure I've been as forthright in telling my mother I love her, too, for who she is, this sometimes slightly batty, fey, otherworldly and ethereally beautiful Irish creature who is often mistaken for my sister. I think I'll give her an extra long hug when I see her later today, so....your mother helping shape you as the man you are, someone with the forethought and affection to write a tribute to her, has motivated someone else far away to an act of respectful gratitude toward her own mother.

You're a good son, my friend, and inspiring person to know. Your mother is lucky.