My Mommy My Muse
It's ok to call my mom mommy, even as a senior citizen... after all, who's gonna stop me. My mommy was special, unlike yours I'm sure. Why was my mommy special? What did my mommy give me?
My mommy, using the "by example" model, infused in me those human attributes that some addicts (and I'm guessing a number of normies) spend a great deal of time, perhaps years, pursuing. Some of these attributes, characteristics or virtues are love, patience, tolerance and acceptance at their purest levels. Are these highly sought after qualities hereditary or communicable? Can they be passed on or must they be learned? Does one need to purify the body and the mind or attain enlightenment after a lifetime of devotion to achieve these qualities?
Everyone's mom ( at least in my generation) said things like "if you don't have anything nice to say then don't say anything at all". Nowadays, in 12-Step lingo we would call this restraint of pen and tongue (and perhaps text, email, tweet and post). My mommy taught me to listen. I'm always told what a good listener I am. Thank you mommy!
If you look up the word "faith" in the dictionary, it'll say “a firm belief in something for which there is no proof". My Mommy changed that definition for me by giving me the gift of "faith by example", and allowing me to see the resulting miracles firsthand. I saw proof in her beliefs and actions and the miracles of those beliefs and actions in my life every day. All I had to do was be aware of them. Thank you mommy!
From a small bed in Portland and then in Burbank, limited only physically by paralysis, she wielded unyielding courage and power, more so than any healthy man or woman could, simply by standing firm in faith and principles and by choreographing a continual example of spiritual support needed by the lost souls around her. Her direct channel to God's infinite being was never disrupted. Thank you mommy!
I am convinced, based on her gift to me, and the ongoing image it leaves in my thoughts and memories, that the verdict of the ages is in fact that men of faith do have courage. She showed me how to have courage through faith and by seeking the truth… and Lord knows I've needed it. Her prayers produced results...I AM the case in point. I AM the miracle. Thank you mommy!
My mommy was not all spirit and no play...some of her favorite characteristics of mine were...
Being able to talk to her at length about her favorite tv shows - we could go on for hours.
I would also ask her advice on a full range of topics (even though I already knew what she would say or even if I knew the answer).
My favorite pastime with my mommy was trying to get her to laugh. You just can't talk about Patsy Galoop (Mom's nickname) without mentioning her laughter. Sometimes all it took was a silly face. Other times, all it took was a reminder of something funny from childhood. Worst case scenario, it took a full-fledged joke, in which case you may have had to tell it twice, but the net result was the same and well worth it. The silent laugh with the mouth fully extended wide enough to see her tonsils and even see what she had for lunch made my mommy a fun loving person to be around.
Before my mommy's body stopped appearing, she was able to experience the beginning stages of some family healing. All mommys want their families to be close. She got to see her youngest child become a responsible mother. She best friended her loyal middle daughter and caretaker. She got to see her youngest son retire safely from the New York City Police Department She got to see her oldest trouble maker uh, I mean son...reunite with his children in between battles of addiction. Everyday she gets to see her oldest daughter take the helm in leading the essence of our families spiritual quest to a new level. Thanks mommy!
I thought I got to say goodbye to my mommy in my heart before she left but it turns out I never needed to say goodby because she never went anywhere. The memories are vivid and always available. The lessons learned by example are still practiced. The positive attitude, work ethic and consideration of others is second nature as if she is next to me making sure. Thanks mommy!
I knew she would never be far away, I just never realized how close.
My mommy rarely yelled. I rarely yell.
RUN MOMMY RUN!