December Daily 2014 - Day 3

Today's story is about my mom, and this mug.

 

 

Last year, at this time, mom was undergoing

radiation therapy, to try to shrink a tumor

growing in her lungs and pushing against her

esophagus, making it almost impossible for

her to swallow. She was so tired and sore

after her treatments, that she was unable

to get out to do any Christmas shopping for

herself, and she sent me money to get the

girls and ourselves gifts for Christmas.

 

Knowing, deep in my heart, that this was

going to be her last Christmas with us, I

wanted to make the gifts more meaningful,

more something we would hang on to forever.

 

Mom, like always, insisted we get things we

needed, but this year, I wasn't listening to

that, I was getting what our hearts needed

instead, memories, things to hold close to our

hearts for all those missed years ahead, without

her to celebrate with us.

 

After getting everyone else's gift, I hung on to my

share, still not knowing what it was I would need, what

my heart would need, in the coming years. I happened to

go into the Christmas Store, and there was a display of

these wonderful Christmas mugs, but none with the

sentiment needed. Then, I saw this one, the perfect one,

just peeking out from behind the others, and I knew this

was the one speaking to me, the one, that years from now,

I could cradle in my hands, warm drink soothing my soul,

as I knew I would need soon enough. Along with this mug,

I also got myself one last ornament from her.

 

And, yes, my heart was right, and she didn't make it until

this Christmas, she's now in Heaven for her first Christmas

with my dad and my sister, so I know she isn't alone.

 

So, thanks mom, for last years gift, something so

precious, that words really can't say how I feel.

 

I love you and miss you terribly. XOXO