Dear mom...

honoring my mother
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

25 comments:

  1. Such a beautiful tribute. Your momma would be proud of her precious daughter.

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    1. Hi Denise! Thanks so much my sweet friend! Have a blessed week!

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  2. I sense the love and warmth you shared with your mom, Michell. Thing is, it continues right through eternity. This letter is a wonderful way to share your relationship with your mom with us all. Much appreciated!

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    1. Thank you so much Alison! We sure did and she was such a special person. I read your beautiful letter to your father and it was heartwarming. You two had a special bond like my mother and I did. Thanks again...have a wonderful week!

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  3. What a lovely tribute. Your mom sounds like she was a great person. And she raised a great daughter too!

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    1. Aww...thank you so much for your sweet words!! Thanks for stopping by...have a lovely week! :)

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  4. Michell, you never cease to amaze me! This is so heart-warming. I am holding back tears as I think of the beautiful person that your mother was. She has, obviously, left her legacy - in you. Blessings to you, my friend!

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    1. Thank you Trinity!! She was an absolutely beautiful person inside and out. Everyone I talk to ALWAYS says she touched their lives...that means so much to me! Thanks again...blessings to you as well my friend!!;-)

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  5. This has me in tears. So beautiful and heart felt. Prayers for you, sweet friend

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    1. Aww...thank you so much Ash! And thanks for your prayers, my friend! xoxo

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  6. This is amazing Michelle and so sweet! Favorites, I can talk on that all day long! I am the favorite, tee hee...I'm pretty sure baby girl will never read this comment! Have a great weekend. Thank you for sharing this with us!

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    1. Thanks Joi! Haha...IKR, my sisters are deceived too, lol! Thanks...I did and hope you did as well! Have a wonderful week! ;-)

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  7. How wonderful that you have a dinner every year on the birthday, I love that way to honor your loved one.

    The letter is nice, and I loved your post.

    Visiting today from Super Sunday Sync.

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    1. Hi! Thanks so much! It's a tradition we started mainly so that we wouldn't grieve on her birthday and it turned out to be the best thing we could have done. When we go out, we end up laughing about all the good times we had with her. Thanks for stopping by...headed over to your blog now!

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  8. beautiful. i lost my father less than a year ago, so i can relate. your mother sounds like a beautiful person inside and out. sending prayers, peace and comfort your way. <3

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    1. So sorry to hear about your loss Emily!:( She was and I'm sure your father was also! Thanks so much...sending them back to your way! :-)

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    2. Oops...thanks for stopping by, headed to your blog in a few!

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  9. Oh Michell... thank you. Thank you for sharing this piece of your heart and this amazing woman you have the honor to call mama. This letter brings tears to my eyes and yet, joy to my heart- in so many ways.
    What a precious amazing relationship you had and still have with your beautiful mama!

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    1. Awww...thank you so much Chris!! You're so sweet my friend!! I shared it in hopes it will help someone else who is grieving. It's funny...as close as I was to my mom, I feel as if I'm closer to her now than ever before. I guess a mother/daughter relationship NEVER dies! Thanks again my sweet friend! xoxoxo

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  10. Man! I just went through a whole lot of emotions. I got teary eyed and before the mist even dried up I was laughing so hard. This is such a great idea and a wonderful way to keep your mom's presence close. I love the way you talk to your mom. It made me think a lot about my mom. Thanks for sharing Michell

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    1. Awww....thanks Hope! I love writing to her as if she was face-to-face with me. So glad it made you think of your sweet mother. You are so welcome Hope...have a lovely day my friend! ;-)

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  11. What a beautiful way to honor your mother, by writing her letters. These will be a treasure for your family as well as the years go by!

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    1. Hi Michelle! Thank you so much! Yes they will be...however, I must put them on hard copy, as I've written them all on my computer, lol! Thanks for stopping by...have a lovely week my friend!

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  12. Now I know why Hope brought us together. I lost my mom 20 years ago now...when I was just 17 years old. I miss her more every single day. I'm a runner so I mostly "talk" to my mom when I'm out on my runs and it soothes my soul. I love that you write a letter to yours and I really love that you and your sisters celebrate her birthday each year - what a gift! I'm extremely close with my moms sisters (they're like surrogates) so I always feel I have someone to talk to about her. I'm so grateful to have found you and to have read this post!

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  13. Haha, Hope is definitely good people! Wow, that must have been tough on you! My daughter was that age when my mommy died. As a grand daughter, that was hard for her, as she was only a few weeks away from starting college. I can only imagine how hard it was for you to lose your mom at such a young age(my heart goes out to you). I thank God I got to spend 39 years with my mom. You definitely inspire me! :-) There are times when something will remind me of her and I'll do one of two things...ball my eyes out, or smile from ear to ear. I guess it goes to show, all girls need their mommies! :-) I know what you mean...my aunts(all seven of them), look so much like my mom and their mannerisms are the same. Even though my sisters and I were grown, our aunts made it a point to make sure we never felt as if we were without a mom. The year after she died, it was so hard being around them because they reminded me so much of her. But now, I so cherish having them around! Thanks so much for stopping by! Grateful to have found you also(my new friend)...have a wonderful week! :-)

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Thanks so much for dropping by...I really appreciate it! Please check back for a response to your comment, as I post all responses to comments here on the blog, not via email. Please note, as this is a Christian blog...any comment that contains offensive and/or inappropriate language will be sent to the authorities...NAH, but seriously though, they WILL BE deleted. :-) Have a great day...I call you blessed! ;-)