Buried my Mother today. Here is the Eulogy I read. So many nice things were said. I can't even begin to encapsulate what she meant to me.
Eulogy
“You will give yourself relief, if you do every act of your life
as if it was your last-”Marcus Aurelius Meditations Book II
My Mother lived a life worth living. She touched so many lives
you would be hard pressed to find them all. Through her many activities
as an Educator, Literacy advocate, Champion of those that couldn’t
champion for themselves,Wife, Mother, Grand-Mother and Great-Grandmother.
She was always trying to gently nudge people to be a better
version of themselves.
I remember when I was 4 or 5 years old and she brought home
discarded Dick and Jane Books and started teaching me to read.
I remember when I was in elementary school and she took
me to Pizza Hut to get my very own personal pan pizza for finishing
the Book It Summer reading challenge. I was so excited!
I remember not being able to get away with anything in
High School because she was the head Media Specialist
at that High School.
I remember her showing me the albums in that same library.
The music I listened to then has colored my musical tastes to this day.
I remember how angry she was when I joined the Army.
We argued. She wanted me to get an education and
she thought I was making a mistake.
I also remember how proud she was of my career
and all the questions she had about places I lived.
I remember how proud she was of me when I finally got that education.
When I received my Masters Degree she had my diplomas,
all my diplomas matted in a huge display at what must have
been a significant expense.
I remember her constantly helping my children navigate through life’s issues.
They would regularly call Grandma for help often before calling me.
I remember her refusing to give any of those same children any
Christmas or Birthday present other than a book.
“Readers are leaders Michael..she would say”
I remember her turning every conversation back to children's literature.
“Hey did you know XYZ author wrote a book about this?
No Mother but why don't you tell me
I remember many political discussions. My mother and I were
opposed to many things politically and sometimes it got heated
but never disrespectful and she always listened to my side
sometimes even changing her mind.
I remember her talking about her trip to Switzerland for years afterward.
For a small town girl from Iowa it must have been an exciting experience.
I remember people asking her “ How can you have 6 only children”
It was obvious she treated us all with her full attention every time.
I remember her excitedly talking about her Grand-children and
Great Grand-Child. It was another chance for her to personally
influence young lives. It was her mission for them to not
accept the boundaries they set for themselves.
I remember talking to her 2 weeks ago. The last time I talked to her
she was in the basement because of a tornado warning. I had called
to see if she was ok. She assured me she was fine,
I told her to stay safe and we hung up. It was a short conversation.
I wish it would have been longer.
I remember this past Wednesday. I was hiking with my dog and
I thought of her every time I saw a butterfly or purple flowers.
Your Mother is always with you! ©
By: Deborah R Culver
She’s the whisper of the leaves as you walk down the street.
She’s the smell of certain foods you remember, flowers you pick,
the fragrance of life itself.
She’s the cool hand on your brow when you’re not feeling well.
She’s your breath in the air on a cold winters’ day.
She is the sound of the rain that lulls you to sleep, the colors of a rainbow.
She is Christmas morning.
Your mother lives inside your laughter.
She’s the place you come from, your first home.
She’s the map you follow with every step you take.
She’s your first love, your first friend, even your first enemy.
But nothing on Earth can separate you.
Not time.
Not space.
Not even death.
