Friday, March 22, 2024
Mom,
With only words, I find myself grappling with the limitations of language to describe the beauty, love, and compassion that defined my dear Mother. She was a selfless and caring soul, always placing other’s needs above her own.
She embraced sacrifice with open arms, dedicating her life to her family. She raised and nurtured four children, cared for her father, then her mother through their illnesses, showered love upon her grandchildren, and never left my Dad’s side through his devastating cancer journey.
When illness visited Mom, it was finally her time to be taken care of. It was an honor to be able to reciprocate the love and care she gave me and others. I did this with every ounce of my being.
In a world where self-centeredness often rules, Mom chose a path less traveled, one of boundless love, caring, and service.
Countless stories stand as testaments to her love, generosity, and compassion, but I’ll share just a couple:
- Once, as we drove through Long Beach, she noticed an elderly woman collecting cans. Mom asked me to stop the car. She stepped out, dropped a $20 bill behind the woman, and kindly said, "Miss, I think you dropped this."
- But it was her love and caring for my Dad, her true soulmate, that helped shaped me the most. During Dad's most difficult times battling illness on experimental drugs, many times I rushed the three of us to Sloan Kettering's ER.
- As Mom’s disease raged on– cruelly robbing her of memories, intellect, wisdom, movement, and speech – the disease seemed powerless against her deeply ingrained instincts and love as proven by visits with my daughter, Siena.
When Siena played within Mom's sight, a spark of her old self would often emerge. Though she hadn't spoken for days, Mom suddenly found her voice and told Siena, "Be careful!" Such was the power of her love and caring.
Over the years, Siena saw changes in Mom and would say with a sad face, "Nan's sick." When visiting, Siena gave her countless kisses and placed toys on Mom’s lap during our visits. When apart, Siena would pick up her toy phone to tell Nan she loved her and misses her. Happily, Mom’s love and kindness lives on.
Her tenacious resistance to leave her beloved family further showed her undying devotion and love for us.
Though there is some comfort knowing you’re finally released from this disease, you leave with a large part of me, which I gladly surrender. In return, I greedily keep an even larger part of you with me.
So, Mom, you are gone, yet you are everywhere. You are eternally with Dad and you both are eternally with us. Siena, Mihaela and I will carry forward your legacy of love and compassion – a profound gift you’ve given us.
My beloved Mom, I leave you with words from your wedding song:
“Never before has someone been more
Unforgettable
In every way
And forever more
That's how you'll stay”
With love,
Your ever-devoted son, Vic
