The Wind Beneath my Wings!

My Mom was always and still is my inspiration. When I asked her once “who do you most admire”?  She said: “You! for having the courage to do the things I did not or had not.”  I, of course, said her.  She was and still is my hero everyday of my life.

I still miss her terribly, of course, even though it has been eight years.  I can’t even believe it!  I was beside her throughout her brave battle with Lymphoma.  I was her advocate when she couldn’t fight for herself, her voice when hers was gone and even at the end when I was asked to tell her she had to leave us.  I tried so desperately to get her the help she needed that would save her.  Constantly arguing with doctors and nurses that they were not looking in the right place and trying to be heard.  (Boy that is a story unto itself!!) I often still feel  anger which of course leads to sadness.  We spoke everyday and I still reach for the phone especially on my long rides home from work when we used to chat which made the traffic bearable.

She set an example for myself, my sisters and her grandchildren and I always wanted to make her proud.  Will I ever be the person she was?  This is so not a competition though!  I want to be that good, kind and pure.  I never heard a mean word come out of her mouth.  Every baby was “beautiful” even when they clearly were not.

She is always with me.  I feel her in the song of a bird, the wind in my face, and it gives me the strength to persevere, to run that extra mile to the finish even when I think I can’t because I have her always with me.  She was the  true wind beneath my wings.  My parents encouraged me to be all that I am every day and for that I am forever thankful.

Mom’s 75th birthday. All she wanted was to come home from the hospital for her birthday. You can be sure we made it happen.

Did you ever know that you’re my hero
And everything I would like to be?
I can fly higher than an eagle
For you are the wind beneath my wings I want you to know

I know the truth, of course …I would be nothing without you

Thank you, thank you
Thank God for you, the wind beneath my wings

Bette Midler

She absolutely loved the white birch trees at one of my houses and I can’t even begin to tell you how much she loved the ski house we owned at Mount Snow for 15 years. She felt at home there and at peace and consequently I could feel her presence every time I was there.  One of the reasons selling it was so traumatic was that it was a physical connection I still had with her.

Connecticut house

White birches standing tall

Sorry these are old pictures when we still put the dates on the photos! Oh well!  Actually I must say there is something to be said for having the date on photos so you aren’t all saying when was that taken or where was that taken.

Mount Snow Vermont Many, many happy memories here all year long but especially skiing with all the family.

I had to have a garden in VT.  Not so easy when you live 2 hours away! Is it any wonder I love flowers… so did she! Anywhere she lived she had to put in some Impatiens her favorites!

She was always my best friend and she would want me to get out there and live each day as if it was my last.  I found this quote that I love and I couldn’t say it any better:

“walking with a friend in the dark is better than walking alone in the light” Helen Keller

Find your support, cherish your friends, hug your kids, call your parents if they are still alive. Take the time as it will not always be given to you.  Life has a funny way of reminding us what is important and death has a funny way of putting life in perspective.

So to leave you with some beautiful flowers she would have loved.  Spring starts next weekend. A time of rebirth and new beginnings.  Find your WHY!  WHY are you who you are? Find your why and you will find your purpose and your passion in life and for life. Don’t be afraid of failure.  Are you the Wind beneath someone’s Wings?

Agapanthus

Tulips

Hyacinth ‘Blue Festival’