Dear mom...

Mary Lee Brown Flemming (February 5, 1943-August 2, 2007)

For everyone who stopped by for "Michell's Weekly Pearl"...I apologize. Today marks the 6th anniversary of my mother's death. So, I'm dedicating today's post to her! If you'd like to read any of the other post in the "Michell's Weekly Pearl" series, you can click HERE to do so. Please come back next week. In the meantime, read  on...

Today, August 2, 2013, marks six years since my sweet mother Mary Lee Brown Flemming, went home to be with the Lord. I’ve found comfort every year on the anniversary of her death in writing her a letter. Nothing special, just a letter
letting her know everything that’s happened in the past year. Some people may not understand, but this is my way of dealing with her death. It’s very therapeutic and I encourage everyone who’s lost a loved one to do the same. As the years have passed it’s gotten easier. God is so true to His Word. He WILL turn your mourning into dancing and your sorrow into joy…if you allow Him to! So here’s my little letter to my mother. Nothing spectacular…just a letter, written by a grateful daughter who still misses her mommy……

"Hey momma! It’s me…Chell, your favorite daughter!  I know, I know…Delveta and Tip would beg to differ, but I know I’ve always been your favorite. :-) Well…you know what today is…six years ago today you left us. When I look at pictures of you with that beautiful infectious smile of yours…I still can’t believe you’re gone lady.  I can’t believe you’re no longer with us, the lady who showed love to everyone she came across. You made it an effort to make everyone around you feel like they were special. Thank you for that legacy you left us all! BTW…I became a member of the National Amyloidosis Foundation, in hopes that a cure can be found for that disease that snatched you away from us. Here’s my annual letter to you, catching you up on everything that’s happened in the past year. Many people may not understand why I write these letters to you every year momma, but it helps ME. It helps me deal with your loss and it’s my little way of communicating with you. Just to assure you…we all are doing just great…me and Todd, Delveta and Dennis, Tip and JR and all of your grandkids(Keri & Allyn, Joel, Blake, Jessica, Jenae, Tyler, Bret and Jada). And of course, we can’t forget about little Miss Hayden, she’s something else!  I get the picture, from what you told me…she acts just like I did when I was little…SCARY! :-) Can you believe it…Blake and Janae will be seniors in high school this fall…IKR (that means “I know right”), and “I know right” means “can you believe it”, oh never mind momma! Anyway, Blake says he’s going to college up north, but he doesn’t know that I’m secretly praying he’ll stay close to home! My baby can’t move that far away! Oh yes, daddy’s doing good and so are your brothers and sisters(who by the way, look more and more like you every time I see them)! Boy those "Brown" genes are strong!!

I’m sure Aunt Kitty already told you by now, but just in case she didn’t…well, listen to this. You know the corner of Main and Washington Streets in downtown Columbia? Well, the city of Columbia renamed that “Sarah Mae Flemming Way”…yes they did girl! Had a big ceremony and closed down the streets and all! The mayor, a local historian, a professor from USC and a representative from the city council all spoke. All the local stations carried the story that whole weekend. Oh, and Kimmie did an awesome job representing the family!  It all took place on what would have been her 80th birthday…now how nice was that? Little old Aunt Kitty from Eastover, getting a street named after her…who’d thunk it? Lol! (oops, forgot to tell you, that means “laugh out loud” momma).  On a sad note though…you know Gary, our kid’s godfather and Todd’s best friend from Michigan? Yes, sweet wouldn’t harm a fly Gary…well, he died in October. I know Ma, such a BIG blow to us all. Still can’t believe it…he was just down for Keri’s wedding  last summer and the next thing we knew, he was in the hospital dying from cancer…such a loss for us all. I’m especially sad for his kids…they’re only 6, 9 and 17. Pray for his entire family...they ALL miss him so much! You know what…what am I thinking…you probably saw him when he got to heaven.  I’m sure you greeted him with a big hug, a kiss on the cheek and fed him some of your famous sweet potato pie, banana pudding and potato salad! Oh how I miss your good cooking lady!  Can’t believe we’ve lost two of the sweetest people we know.  You two were great examples of how to walk in the love of Christ!

We went to dinner for your 70th birthday this year, like we do every year since you passed away. Couldn't decide on what to do though! I KNEW what to do...it was your other two daughters who couldn't make up their minds...you know how they are, lol! It wasn't as big as what we wanted it to be, but we celebrated nonetheless! Oh and another thing, I forgot to mention this last year, but “yours truly”, yes, that would me… is now a “blogger”. I’m not even going to try to explain momma…I’m pretty sure someone there will tell you what a blogger is! :-) My blog is named “Prowess and Pearls”…haha, I knew you’d crack up on that one! I’ve got a whole year under my belt and let’s just say, all those thoughts and that vivid imagination you said I always had…I now put on paper for the whole world to see…go figure! Oh well, looks like that’s about it for now momma. Wow, you’d be so proud of me! This is the first time I haven’t cried while writing you your letter…I’m a big girl now! I’m actually smiling…God sure is good! He has definitely turned my sorrow into joy!  I’ll be thinking of you every day sweet lady! Until “same time” next year…goodbye for now! LOVE YOU and you'll never be forgotten!"

Your most grateful daughter,

Michell