Oh, so thankful-for life, many loves, laughter, liberty-but missing Mama
Posted November 26th, 2009 by Jill Conner BrowneSo very much I am thankful for today–even though it is one of those Dreaded Firsts that we all have to go through after losing someone we love. Just had my First Birthday as an orphan, now the First Thanksgiving. Got my First Post-Mama Christmas Tree yesterday–she would be so happy with it–it’s way too big for the room–so it’s JUUUUST RIGHT!
But she not only gave me life–she gave me a WONDERFUL life and she taught me, both by example and, when necessary, relentless nagging–How to Have a Wonderful Life and hopefully, how to teach my daughter the same lessons. So many small things–I made her Thanksgiving Dressing yesterday–I’ll put her 60 years’ worth of glass ornaments on my Christmas tree myself and we will all sit and look at it in awe every night–so many HUGE things–caring, sharing, being aware of Needs all around me and doing whatever small thing I can to help.
I hope you are with Loved Ones today–and I hope you love them a lot. This Moment is all we have–and life does turn on a dime. Love all you can, every second you can–it’s like Money in the Bank in times of Great Loss.
15 Responses to “Oh, so thankful-for life, many loves, laughter, liberty-but missing Mama”
November 26th, 2009 at 10:40 am
Sweetly written and tenderly presented, your words resonate on so many levels with me. Thank you for being genuine and setting such a wonderful example. Your friend, Amy
November 26th, 2009 at 10:45 am
Amen, Sister. I love you.
November 26th, 2009 at 11:03 am
The year of firsts without our Mommas is the most difficult. Although I’m in my year of seconds; I still reach for the phone to call her. We never quite get over the loss, but we learn to cope with it. I am very thankful for the wonderful years I had with my Momma, and for the lifes lessons she taught me. Happy Thanksgiving to all the wonderful queens out there.
November 26th, 2009 at 11:06 am
Big hug. Thank you for that piece – so right it brought tears. I lost someone important to me (understatement) this year also. I am so very glad your parents did what they did or the rest of us in this roller coaster world would not have what we enjoy so much – YOU!
November 26th, 2009 at 11:12 am
Amy–so glad to call you “friend!” Sharon–love you back! Cheryl–This is my 26th without Daddy and it’s still hard but I am so grateful for having had both of my wonderful parents for every second I was given. Kirsten–I don’t know who you lost, but I will pray for your comfort.
love to all–xxooj.
November 26th, 2009 at 11:33 am
Jill, I love the hearfelt words from you. I think it makes everone that reads them more aware of loving our family’s. I am praying that you can take comfort in the fact that “mama” is right there with you. She lives in your heart and is always watching. Enjoy all the goody’s that mama taught you to make. Enjoy your day.
xoxox.. Ramona
November 26th, 2009 at 11:39 am
Dearest Jill,
You eloquently put into words so many of the emotions that I feel during this season. I lost Jerry, Aunt Mary and Mother all on Thanksgiving. Their loss is even more poignant in my inability to have them know and cherish you the way I do. You nurture my spirit, feed my soul, and warm my heart. For THIS, I am truly thankful.
Love you much,
Scott
November 26th, 2009 at 11:46 am
Beautifully stated!
November 26th, 2009 at 11:27 pm
Lovely words Jill. That’s probably why you get paid to write, grin. I know it’s especially hard this holiday season for you and yours. You are in my prayers.
I miss Daddy most on Thanksgiving. Growing up it was always sorta “our day”, watching the parade together and raking leaves and stuff. Christmas is more when I think of Mom, all the ways she tried so hard to give us a good Christmas, including staying up the wee hours of the night making doll clothes.
Speaking of dolls, do you still have your Toodles? I have mine all dressed up sitting in Nicole’s rocking chair in my guest room. Remember taking them swimming? Lol!
Well hang in there girl and have a wonderful holiday season. Thanks for all the good you do. My passiong is Operation Christmas child. We just wrapped that up at our church. I love it!
I should have emailed you, gabbed too much for a message!
Love ya,
Annie Boo
November 27th, 2009 at 8:18 pm
AnnieB–My Toodles is somewhere–but she is in sad, sad shape, I’m sorry to say. I actually may have parted ways with her at the last move, can’t recall. But I still have my Barbie and all her fabulous clothes with the teeny tiny zippers and stuff! And one of those little “catalogs” they had of all the Barbie clothes–those perfect clothes (not like the crap they sell today that’s thrown together with wads of velcro)–were like $2.00 an outfit! And that was SOOOO expensive! God, we’re old!
Scott–God’s Timing is Perfect and we found each other at EXACTLY the right time for both of us and all is unfolding as it Should. Can’t wait to see you at Christmas, hunny! xxooj.
November 29th, 2009 at 3:30 am
Measure your life in love.
November 29th, 2009 at 2:37 pm
My Barbie is in sad shape, her head has a split in it. Toodles looks great though.
December 3rd, 2009 at 11:17 pm
Jill,
You are in my thoughts & prayers. I was 3 months pregnant with my oldest daughter when my Mother passed away. It was my 22nd birthday. Megan, my oldest, came 6 weeks early, on December 15, 1992. Each Christmas I have her is one less with Mom. It amazes me that Megan will be 17 this year. I believe that the spirt of our parents live on within us. I carry on my Momma’s tradition by buying a fake tree and stinking up the air with Pine tree scent in a can. My Mom would be proud. God Bless you and yours and I know it is hard. Live each day to the fullest because in the end we will all be together again.
Many Smiles,
Dona Krystosek
A SPQ wanna be
December 11th, 2009 at 7:07 pm
Queen Jill, I had my firsts eight years ago. And holidays and special occasions do not get better. My Mom was THE greatest and my BEST friend. But she is as close as my heart. Happy Holidays from Florida!
January 24th, 2010 at 7:15 pm
Hi there your Majesty,
For someone who can make me laugh until I run for a Depends, I love that you can also be so poignant and eloquent but also frail and vulnerable at the same time. I’m glad that you were so close to your mama and were fortunate enough to have shared so many years with her. I also loved that her charity of choice, ARF, was for animals in need. That just put the tin hat on it for me. I know I would have loved her, too!!
JoAnn Brown
Palos Verdes, CA
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