An Ode To My Mother

I need to let you know that the past few weeks have been difficult for me. While attempting to saty relevant in addressing many of the issues that I'm passionate about, I've also been doing my best to attend to the health of my mother, who has been ill for almost a year now. But on Tuesday, July 15th, she stopped fighting, and closed her eyes for the last time, slipping peacefully into eternal rest.

The past few days have been both sad and disorienting for me. While my brother and I struggled to put all of her affairs in order, we also had to make arrangements for her final resting place. We've done all that we can to adhere to her wishes, and are comfortable with the belief that she would be pleased with the results.

My mother was a proud and extrodinary woman. She was a career educator, teaching both on the high school and college levels. She was passionate about teaching, and always took pride in her students. My love of the written word came from her, and she was also a published author.

She was also a lifelong learner, never losing her passion for a good debate, and could argue either side of a topic with equal knowledge of the subject matter.

She was an accomplished pianist, vocalist, communicator and gardner. She loved to travel, and made it a point during her lifetime to visit as many countries, and understand as many cultures as she possibly could. But she was absolutely best at giving of herself. And as a mother, sibling, relative or friend, she new few equals.

So, here's an ode to my mother. My she finally find peace, and serve in her next life as passionately as she served in this one.

I love you Mom.