Happy Mother's Day In Heaven Mom

I'm not sure if you can make out the words on this piece of cross-stitch my Mom made. Here's what it says:
A hundred years from now it will not matter
What my bank account was
The sort of house I lived in
Or the kind of car I drove
But the world may be different
Because I was important
In the life of a child

This was her mantra. It still hangs in the kitchen at my Dad's house even though she's been gone for almost six years. We had it on display at the funeral home, surrounded by pictures of her and her grandchildren when she passed away, because we all knew it was the best way to honor her.

She had copied the words from her favorite coffee mug (she LOVED coffee).Her children and especially her grandchildren were the most important things in her life.

She was the classic Italian mother-A great cook, very religious, strict, and a bit over- protective. She loved Jesus, my Dad, the New York Yankees, Frank Sinatra, Norman Rockwell, cooking, and all things Italian.

She was "Mom" to all the neighborhood kids, looking out for them like they were her own. Her kitchen door was always open; all were welcome in her home.

And if you got her mad, you'd better watch out-for she could throw a shoe at her intended target with the precision of the best New York Yankee pitcher.

And most of all she loved her beloved grandchildren, I see her reflected in all of them:

Janine loves New York City and works there like she did, before she married Dad.

Ben loves the New York Yankees and even looks like her father, aka Grandpa.

Eddie is Dad's best friend like she was.

Katie loves to cook

Nicholas loves to read and learn new things like she did.

Tori probably resembles her most of all with her olive skin and dark hair. She also has that Italian temper. She'll make a fine shoe-throwing mom someday.

And Josie, who only knew her for a year, loves Jesus and sings in church with the voice of an angel. Where that talent came from is a mystery, because no one in our family can carry a tune.

Yes Mom, you live on in all your grandchildren.

But I still miss you dearly.

Perhaps one hundred years from now that cross-stitch will be hanging in the home of a great-great-great-grandchild and those words may hold a special meaning for them, just like they did for her.

And that would be Mom's greatest legacy.

Mom and Me



My sister, Mom, and Dad at what would be our last Chrisrmas together.