An angel Named Rose (through the eyes, memory, and heart of her son)

An Angel Named Rose (through the eyes, memory, and heart of her son.)

I can’t tell you why, But approaching the 19 anniversary of my mom getting her well earned wings and halo I decided to put her story in print.

But the first question was where to start. I thought maybe a brief description would be appropriate.

First off my mom was one of the nicest person you could ever met. Now, coming from a son that is easy to say. But fact was  anyone that met her enjoyed talking to her. Mine or my siblings friends said they loved coming over and conversing with her.

She was also was a very neat and tidy. Not only was our house always emaculant, but she had jobs as a maid at a local motel, and took a side business cleaning local wealthy people’s homes, along with a few local businesses.

She also wouldn’t leave the house without her hair done and mack up on. She taught all of us to not worry what others think, just be yourself. Also that wasn’t anything we couldn’t do.

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Now, let me move on to my favorite memories of her.  As I said before she wouldn’t leave the hose without her hair and mask up done. Well that brings me to my number one memory. She would often take care of an elderly friend out. One day while she was out taking care of that individual we had a huge downpour.   Later when she got home her hair was a complete mess. She always had it in a bun, which was flat and hanging down the side of her face. Her mascara was smeared down the side of her face. and yet she still look beautiful.

The second involved a picture she had of me at one years old covered in baby powder.  She loved to show it to people. I hated the picture.

But then a few years back I got the story from my sister, Kim.  For whatever reason I can’t explain I went into there bathroom and put baby powder all over me. My sister said when my mom saw it she was fuming. She glared at me, her face bright read.  Suddenly she burst into laughter, quickly got her camera and took a picture of me. It is now my favorite picture.

Another great memory stems from when I was in third grade. We had a reading contest to see who could read more books.  My om took the time to take me to the library and check out a few books. We would take them home and I will read them to her. She would write them in a  notepad to keep track. I read 300, the last one was Bambi.  I didn’t win the contest but won a precious memory.  

Anyone that knows me knows I love to read. I read a few chapters of a book everyday. Someone once asked me why I love reading. At the time I told them I don’t know. Later on realize That that memory is the reason.

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My mom eas a really great cook. She loved to sew. And she really loved hummingbirds. She could sit for hours on the porch waiting for them to appear at the feeder and watch them.

She also love to decorate. And not just for Christmas, Thanksgiving and Halloween. She also decorated for St. Patrick day and Valentine’s Day. In my house you knew what Holiday was coming up.

Speaking of Halloween, Many of them I would spend out front dressed as the Grim reaper while my mom sat at the door dressed as a which.

The first time we went shopping for school clothes I sat a jacket with a cool emblem on it, Which turned out to be for the Oakland Raiders. As I got more into football they became my favorite team, And still are today.

One day she bought a Raider shirt for herself. Once in a while she would sit and watch part of the game with me. I know she didn’t like football. I believe it was a way to bond with me. Which I truly appreciated. 

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In 98 I moved to Pennsylvania for a lady I eventually married. I would talk occasional with my mom n the phone. though many times she would call me after eleven Forgetting that I was in a time zone three hours ahead of her.

The last time I saw her was when she visited me and my wife.  We took her many of the sights, including the liberty bell.  I remember we stop in a drug store for something. She started a conversation with the cashier.

On Easter of 2006 My wife asked for a divorce.  I was going to stay in Pa. but eventually decided to move back towhere my friends and family were. My mom would call every other day to see hoew I was doing.

The last time I talked to her She called to check on me. At the time I in a drive through ordering food so it was a quick conversation. Little did I know it would be our last. What haunts me is I can’t remember what the last thing I said to her.

Three days late, and a week before I was planning on moving back I got the call from my Sister, Kim letting me know she passed away. 

The story was my dad got up and went to the kitchen. He looked and saw my mom slumped over in her chair. He called her name but she didn’t respond.

The coroners report said she  had plaque in her arteries. One broke lose and went into her brain. They said she probably felt tired and fell asleep. I are comfort in knowing she din’t suffer.

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Let me finish this story by telling you what happened A few weeks after being back in California.

As much ads I hate to admit I was angry with God For taking my mom  away before I got to see her again.

I was living at my parent’s home that I grew up in.  They had a half bath in their bedroom. I got out of the shower and was drying off. Suddenly the anger began to surface again. Suddenly I herd I thump. I looked up and saw that a picture of my mom fell off of the wall. I stood there for a moment before I walked over to pick it up. When I did I looked at the picture and a sense of calmness washed over me. I was instantly at peace with what happened.

Evertime anyone says what a great or nice guy I am I simply say “My mom raised me right.”

I give her credit for all the good I am, including the total respect  Have for women.

I have a tattoo for her on my chest. It says IN loving memory of with a tattoo of a red rose. Below that is the date of her birth and her passing away.

I also have a pendant urn with some of her ashes in it. It’s on a necklace with another pendant urn with my brother’s ashes and a cross.

Every Mother’s Day I listen to a song “I Believe” By the band Diamond rio.  It’s about a person that believes a loved one is watching over them.

There’s a line that goes. 

“There are more than angels watching over me, oh I believe.”

And another that goes.

“those that don’t see the most see that I believe in ghost. And if that makes me crazy, then I am.”

She passed away on May 31st 2006 But I keep her spirt alive by being the man she raised me to be.

Reviews

[DIVYA]

Dale, this is the most touching tribute to a mother, that I've ever read. All these years, yet I still remember what you shared with me, about her. She was the best mum ever and you were so truly blessed to have her! Her richest legacy lives on in you and your goodness of spirit. And how wonderful that is! I too believe she's here with you, everything single moment in time. Thank you for sharing these most special memories of her.

[The Rock And Roll Cowboy(REBEL WITH A CAUSE)]

Thank you so much for the kind review

[LadyNaida]

Hello, The Rock And Roll Cowboy,
Thank you for letting us into your memories and childhood memories of your mom and with your mom. It sounds like she did an amazing job raising you. May the memories of your mom stay in your heart forever.

[Julie McCarthy (juliesp..]

Oh this is a beautiful write a tribute to your mum and about her
I read it to the end
I lost mum 11 years ago she was an angel and yes I’ve had things in my house drop off side tables etc and almost fly off almost to half way across the room they like to show they are with us still
Loved your write about your dear mum

[The Rock And Roll Cowboy(REBEL WITH A CAUSE)]

Thank you so much for your insight.