You cannot spell the word memory without the letters m-o-m
May 8, 2016 5:23:24 GMT -5
tmann3x likes this
Post by billmcdee on May 8, 2016 5:23:24 GMT -5
Today, Sunday, May 8th, 2016 marks Mother's Day here in the United States.
Less than 2 months shy of my son's second birthday, my mother passed away at age 65.
I talk to him about her, as he sadly has no memory of her.
His other grandmother died on Valentine's Day 2012 as a result of Alzheimer's. So my son couldn't remember his one grandmother, and his other grandmother could not remember him.
I was blessed to have two terrific parents. They in turn were blessed to have the mothers that they had, all of whom, including my Dad, have since passed away.
My mother's mother, Catherine, suffered with paranoid schizophrenia. It was heartbreaking to see at times, and extremely difficult to live with her at times. Yet, I would not have wanted her any other way.
She was different from the "norm", and I am convinced that she was meant to be in my life in order for me to better cope with and deal with having a child with Asperger's who is also somewhat different from the "norm". And while I can't say what my son and I have is a common or normal father-son relationship, just like my Gram, I would not want my son any other way than he is.
I loved her not in spite of her condition, but I loved her because of it. My mother taught me that life lesson not through words, not through lectures, but through her loving actions.
I learned that from my father too. He worked very hard, literally worked himself to death, passing away at age 43 in July 1978. Father's Day indeed for me is also a very bittersweet holiday.
This was my father's place of employment. He would drive an oil truck and deliver heating oil to residents all day long. Part of his job included lifting very heavy oil barrels. This place still exists to this very day, and on occasion I find myself driving through my old hometown of Ewing, New Jersey, and will drive past here.
My father's mother, Charlotte McDaniel was very brilliant in her own right, as was my other grandmother Catherine. Grandmom Charlotte's house was about a minute or two away from my Dad's job...
Recently, on "The Price is Right", Cliff Hangers celebrated its 40th anniversary. My grandmother Charlotte or Grandmom Mick as I called her, died less than a month before Cliff Hangers even debuted on the show, just to give you an idea of how long ago it was that she passed. It is indeed rare anymore, but there are occasions where I still shed some tears missing her, missing the old days.
She would humor me by allowing me to play "Wink" and host Gambit with her being the contestants. She even would make up Gambit boards using cardboard.
From August 1969 - April 1991, which is when I got married, this house here was my childhood home...
My mother owned it right up until she passed away in June 2001. By that October I had sold it. The last time I was in that house was I believe July of 2001. I went through every room one last time, making sure everything was removed. The very last thing I took down off of the wall was my parents' wedding picture, which was taken on July 4th, 1964. That is one of many reasons why Independence Day is a very depressing holiday for me.
And yet, I am ever so glad that I had these people in my life while I did. I am glad I have them TO miss.
Tomorrow is promised to nobody. So if you still have your mother, show her some extra love and appreciation, not just today, but every day, but especially today, Mother's Day.
In loving memory of my Grandmom Mick, Charlotte Althea Mertz McDaniel - October 07, 1908 - March 18, 1976 (age 67)
My grandmother Catherine Pauline Hull Fink - September 06, 1916 - January 05, 1990 (age 73)
My dear old Dad, William David McDaniel, Jr. - March 07, 1935 - July 15, 1978 (age 43)
And last but certainly not least...
Less than 2 months shy of my son's second birthday, my mother passed away at age 65.
I talk to him about her, as he sadly has no memory of her.
His other grandmother died on Valentine's Day 2012 as a result of Alzheimer's. So my son couldn't remember his one grandmother, and his other grandmother could not remember him.
I was blessed to have two terrific parents. They in turn were blessed to have the mothers that they had, all of whom, including my Dad, have since passed away.
My mother's mother, Catherine, suffered with paranoid schizophrenia. It was heartbreaking to see at times, and extremely difficult to live with her at times. Yet, I would not have wanted her any other way.
She was different from the "norm", and I am convinced that she was meant to be in my life in order for me to better cope with and deal with having a child with Asperger's who is also somewhat different from the "norm". And while I can't say what my son and I have is a common or normal father-son relationship, just like my Gram, I would not want my son any other way than he is.
I loved her not in spite of her condition, but I loved her because of it. My mother taught me that life lesson not through words, not through lectures, but through her loving actions.
I learned that from my father too. He worked very hard, literally worked himself to death, passing away at age 43 in July 1978. Father's Day indeed for me is also a very bittersweet holiday.
This was my father's place of employment. He would drive an oil truck and deliver heating oil to residents all day long. Part of his job included lifting very heavy oil barrels. This place still exists to this very day, and on occasion I find myself driving through my old hometown of Ewing, New Jersey, and will drive past here.
My father's mother, Charlotte McDaniel was very brilliant in her own right, as was my other grandmother Catherine. Grandmom Charlotte's house was about a minute or two away from my Dad's job...
Recently, on "The Price is Right", Cliff Hangers celebrated its 40th anniversary. My grandmother Charlotte or Grandmom Mick as I called her, died less than a month before Cliff Hangers even debuted on the show, just to give you an idea of how long ago it was that she passed. It is indeed rare anymore, but there are occasions where I still shed some tears missing her, missing the old days.
She would humor me by allowing me to play "Wink" and host Gambit with her being the contestants. She even would make up Gambit boards using cardboard.
From August 1969 - April 1991, which is when I got married, this house here was my childhood home...
My mother owned it right up until she passed away in June 2001. By that October I had sold it. The last time I was in that house was I believe July of 2001. I went through every room one last time, making sure everything was removed. The very last thing I took down off of the wall was my parents' wedding picture, which was taken on July 4th, 1964. That is one of many reasons why Independence Day is a very depressing holiday for me.
And yet, I am ever so glad that I had these people in my life while I did. I am glad I have them TO miss.
Tomorrow is promised to nobody. So if you still have your mother, show her some extra love and appreciation, not just today, but every day, but especially today, Mother's Day.
In loving memory of my Grandmom Mick, Charlotte Althea Mertz McDaniel - October 07, 1908 - March 18, 1976 (age 67)
My grandmother Catherine Pauline Hull Fink - September 06, 1916 - January 05, 1990 (age 73)
My dear old Dad, William David McDaniel, Jr. - March 07, 1935 - July 15, 1978 (age 43)
And last but certainly not least...