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Mother’s Day 2008
May 11, 2008
This Mother’s Day is an especially hard one for me. This is the first Mother’s Day, without my mother. We lost her last November, so I’d like to dedicate this post to my mom, Jan Cornwell. Mom was a military mom in all aspects of the word and she supported our Troops fiercely. One of my brothers served in the Army for 12 years and then in the National Guard until he retired a couple of years ago. Once he joined the National Guards, she became “Mom” to all the guys in his unit as well. Mom was also the grandmother of three Soldiers. She dedicated herself to supporting “her Soldiers” and making sure they knew that she appreciated them and was so very proud of them for their service to our country.
I think back to all the love and support that Mom gave to everyone she came into contact with. Mom dedicated her life to helping others throughout her life. She was instrumental in forming the volunteer Ambulance Service in my hometown, later serving as it’s director until she retired. Mom went out of her way to help others, volunteering for the local food bank after she retired, until shortly before her death. Mom was always there for me and my 3 siblings, showering us with love, and guidance. She supported us in everything we chose to do in our lives, even when she didn’t agree that the path we chose was the right one. We always knew that we could count on mom to be there for us, regardless of the problem and regardless of the time of day. She instilled in us the importance of helping others less fortunate than ourselves and it was a lesson that we learned well.
Yes, there were times that I’d get irritated with Mom (don’t we all as kids?), when she let her opinion be known and I didn’t really want to hear it. But despite that, I valued Mom’s opinion and knew that she was speaking with a voice of experience and love. Mom showed us what unconditional love meant, and even when she was disappointed in something that we did, she let us know that she loved us. Mom taught each of us how to be the best parents to our own children, possible and she was always there to lend advice when we felt like we’d reached the end of our rope. We always knew that mom would have an answer that made sense and that with her support, we could make it through the most troubling of times.
I remember how proud mom was when I gave her, her first grandchild. Mom was there beside me through it all, even being in the delivery room, as both of my sons were born. She laughed as my first son was born, saying that she wasn’t old enough to be a Grandma, but you could tell that she was excited at the prospect of being Grandma, as well as Mom. She sure was proud of all of her grandbabies and she didn’t hesitate to let them know that they were a special part of her life. Family meant everything to mom and she showed us that at each family gathering. It just won’t seem the same without her.
I am thankful every day that I was lucky enough to have such a wonderful mother for the time that I did. I only regret that I didn’t tell her as often as I should have, just how much she meant to me and still does. I’ll never forget her and will never stop missing her.
I hope that everyone will take the time to let their mother know just how important she is to them. Do it everyday, because you never know, when that opportunity won’t be there any longer.
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Terri this is a wonderful post and a great tribute to your Mom. Her legacy will live on with you because she lived such a great example of giving to others just as I know you continue to do. It is always refreshing and gratifying to read about people who love unconditionally, too. While many “think” they live that way few, like your Mother, actually do.
I know you miss her but I’m so happy that you have such wonderful memories and life lessons from her.