Monday Meeting: My Mom.


I try not to get too personal on my blog, but, Today is a little different. Yesterday, I lost the most amazing woman I know, My Mom. After 11 months and 2 days fighting brain cancer she lost her fight. I'd like to introduce you to her:

There are a million and one things that I should be doing, but all I can do is think about my mom. Everything I touch and do is a constant reminder of her…so I thought I’d do what I do best and that’s talk (or in this case, write) to introduce this amazing woman to you.

I can start with the basics; my mom was a 54 year old ball buster. She knew everyone, everywhere. She was the epitome of popularity. She loved to eat out and to entertain. (Maybe that’s where I get my love for throwing a good party.) She was an educator, not just at the high school she taught at for many years, but she also played one in real life. She was hilarious…besides muttering the words “I love you” to me daily until she couldn’t speak anymore…the last cognitive thing she said to me was “HOT DAMN!” (Just last weekend when I told her I heard there were hotties in heaven). She was hard headed and stubborn. She never let the doctors tell her that her disease prognosis was weak, and she never took it as a death sentence, she fought until there was no fight left. She was full of grace and beauty. She never understood how beautiful she was, both inside and outside, but everyone she encountered knew it.

She is a supporter. Truly. She is a supporter for those she believes in. For the causes she believes in. Thankfully, myself, my husband, our businesses and our family are causes she believed in. Still on her dining room table is a copy of every magazine that I’ve ever been featured in.  She was proud. Each time I ran into her friends and acquaintances they knew exactly who I was through her stories and accolades. She was a believer.

She always had open arms. Through her I learned that not only is the family you are born into important, but the family that you choose is as equally important. Without this belief system I wouldn’t have my husband, whom she took under her wing and introduced me to on her front porch 9 years ago. My sister Marci, my Taunte Sunday. I could go on and on. With her gone, I will lean on my “family”, the one that she chose for me, so that I would not be alone without her.

There are so many things I could say about her. But I’ll leave you with this:  She told it like it was. She was humble. She was smart. She was love. She was witty. She was kind. She was bold. She was captivating. She was gracious. She was generous. She was tactful. She was mothering. She was strength. She was clever. She was smart. She was courage. She was mom. 

10 comments:

boogie said...

I agree with all of the beautiful words you used to describe her, Missy. I was at brunch when I heard the news yesterday, I paused and shed a few tears for an amazing woman who always had a smile, advice, or words of support for me at PA. I will never ever forget that smile or that laugh! I'm thinking of you, your mom, and your family in NYC today. All my love. - Laree

Kim Blake said...

An amazing tribute to an amazing woman. Your words brought me back to the time that I spent with her when we were in high school. She was so giving of her time and so committed to supporting you. Everyone should have a such a wonderful Mom! And, I remember that she "told it straight" which I loved. And, no doubt, she was known and loved by many. My in-laws spoke fondly of her often, from their work with her in Booster Club and seeing her out and about at restaurants like Chef's Table. She left a great legacy - you and your family, who I know that she loved SO much. Hugs!

Anonymous said...

Love and prayers to you and your family. Your mother sounds like a beautiful person and she's very fortunate to have a daughter who loves and appreciates everything she has done for her. So sorry for your loss...

chrisalyn21 said...

Missy my heart goes out to you and your family. After reading these beautiful words about your Mom I can't help but think this is who you are as well. I may not have known your Mom very well but by your words it sounds like you are very much like her. We never know why we lose those closest to us when we do but I'd like to think it's because they made the impact on this world that God wanted them to. So it is important to remember them and pass along what they taught us. You all will be in my thoughts and prayers. Take care and God Bless.

Megan said...

An amazing woman, who raised an amazing daughter. You both have such big hearts and exude love. You wrote a fantastic and heartfelt tribute to a very deserving woman. I cannot even begin to know the pain you are experiencing. Lean on those close and lean on those far and remember everyone can use a hug. Hugs and Love - Megan

chanelashanti said...

Missy, I shed a few tears as I read the news last night. I had flooding memories of how supportive she was as a dance mom to me and imagined how great she was to your babies. Gail was so beautiful, funny, smart, and strong. She raised you as a great model and will always be proud.

japjap said...

Missy my heart goes out to you and your family .even though i didn't know your mother in person i did hear you and other tell me how wonderful she was. the women that you spoke about is a true person that reminds me of my mom . she totally awesome . im truly sorry for your loss and my prayers goes out to you and your family at this difficult time.Take care and God bless you and your family

Marci said...

Beautiful and powerful--I'd expect no less from a Taylor woman. Your mother was more of a mother to me than my own this past decade and you have truly been the best sister, friend, and blessing she could have shared. She also gave me the confidence to be a mother myself by saying all the things my father no longer could and my own mother never would. I will miss her counsel and humor immeasurably but just as you assured me so many years ago, I know that God meant for us to be sisters--He just had a different plan as to how it was meant to be. I love you.

NP said...

God bless you Missy. This is an absolutely beautiful tribute to your mother. My heart and prayers go out to you and your family.

Be Inspired PR said...

Thinking about you and your family. I know what you are going through and I just want you to know we are here for you and sending our love and prayers.
xoxo
Leila and the Be Inspired family

 

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