There was this lovely woman, kind, very kind in fact, who did anything and everything she could for those around her. She cherished her friendships and relationships, taking great care to let those she knew in her life that she loved know that they were of extreme value to her. She didn't have worldly wealth, but she always helped out, held doors, offered a helping hand wherever she could. She gave of herself, when she could, wherever she could.
She did this with the most attention for her Mother, a wonderful woman who had become a widow 15 months earlier. She did this out of love for her Mother, the woman who gave her life, her Mother, her confidante, her best friend, the one person who loved her unconditionally since birth, someone who never judged her even when she did things that were others thought were foolhardy or risky. Her Mother who always took the time to talk to her, to listen to her cry, to just be there for her, day or night, no matter what. This was reason enough. However, she did this most especially because of the vow she made to him on his death bed. "Take care of Momma for me" he struggled to get out in his raspy voice. The voice had been ravaged by tubes and surgeries. 6 weeks of laying there having gone through every indignity possible, and he fought every one of them, all the while telling them he loved them. Telling them how much he would miss them, how special they were.
He Died, leaving a sadness within their hearts. They all grieved and gradually all moved on. She struggled as the go between with her siblings as they disagreed on any number of things that needed to be done, some regarding the worn down home they all grew up in, some regarding their Beloved Mother. She listened as she was talked to like an old dried up spinster with no life who should get a life and not spend so much time with her Mother cringing inside realizing that they don't have a clue just how close she was to her Mother. She felt sad thinking that he would not ever know how wonderful Mom was because he never took the time to ever really listen to her, or to get to know her as a person beyond the "Mother" that she was. She was an incredible woman, funny, sweet, loving and kind this Mother of ours. Strong beyond belief to have endured a lifetime of pain, with a faith in humanity and God that sustained her on her darkest days. They didn't know her at all! But I do! And I won't give her up, not because of selfish reasons though. Not because I feel like my life is somehow being cheated. Not because I have no time for me (I have as much as I need/want). Not because I need friends my own age as I have been told! I won't give her up because of my love for her. I won't give her up because of my respect for her thoughts, opinions and feelings, and most importantly...
I won't give her up because of that Promise!
I will take care of her Dad!
I PROMISE!
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