We are born of love; love is our mother.

Hello All,

Rumi gave us this wonderful quote: “We are born of love; love is our mother.” Rumi, a Persian mystic and poet, was born in 1207 and died in 1273. To this day, centuries later, he remains one of the world’s most read poets. His wise words about life and love are just as profound today as they were in the 13th century. One of my favorites of his quotes is one I try to live by: “Wherever you are, and whatever you do, be in love.” And the one that is appropriate for this blog is “Goodbyes are only for those who love with their eyes. Because for those who love with heart and soul there is no such thing as separation.”

As we approach this Mother’s Day weekend, it is tinged with sadness. Bob’s beloved mom and my beloved mother-in-law died in January after a relatively short series of illnesses. Bob and I have said many, many times that we won the in-laws lottery. We both immediately liked and then loved each other’s mother and father. We were both embraced like we had always been part of the family. And our parents became friends. One of my favorite trips with all of them was to Florida – a first for my parents. My little momma has a small pillow that mom gave her that she keeps in her chair; I often seeing her hugging that pillow as a reminder of her friend.

Bob’s mom – Frances Kathleen Moore Stoneburner, Kathy to her friends – was born on December 2, 1923 in Texas. (Which means the woman was a diehard Dallas Cowboys fan!) She was an only child, who was blessed with a father who believed that the gift of an education was critical. So Kathy graduated from Southwestern University with bachelor degrees in both chemistry and biology – quite the trailblazer for her time, because it was rare to see women with degrees in the sciences. She married Gene Stoneburner on December 8, 1947 – then along came Bob and then his two sisters, Carolee and Pam.

Mom loved gardening, and I swear, those degrees in chemistry and biology helped, the woman could grow anything! She loved solving puzzles – I have never been able to do Sudoku puzzles as quickly as she could. She loved to read, something that she and I bonded over. She loved playing bridge. And she loved to travel – touching a whale in Mexico, going on a safari in Africa, eating pasta in Italy, and spending time on the water at her lake house and the beaches of North Carolina.

Mom loved her family – children, grandchildren, great grandchildren, and a host of others. She loved family get togethers. She loved to cook – I doubt there will be anyone who can replicate her incredible coconut cake, which always made an appearance at Christmas. And no matter what birthday number we were celebrating with Bob, it always included his favorite fried chicken, mashed potatoes and gravy, and fried okra. Mom was also an aficionado of crab cakes! Bob would take her to new places to eat so she could check out the crab cakes. Mom also made sure all of us stayed in line! One of my funniest memories was the year when Bob forgot to call her on her birthday. When he called her the very next day, she hung up on him! She got lots of flowers that year!

Mom also loved her birds (especially the hummingbirds), her flower-filled garden, butterflies and the deer (even when they ate the flowers!). She loved to sit in her sunroom where she had a view of all of those things. If the day was dreary, she had bird and butterfly figurines surrounding her inside. Mom died in her chair, surrounded by all of her favorite things, and wrapped in love.

So this year will be sad – but also filled with incredible memories and much love. As an unknown author said: “A mother’s hug lasts long after she lets go.” Mom’s hugs will last forever.

I am blessed. My little momma continues to be a source of joy, laughter and love. I try very hard not to take each day for granted, and to recognize them for the blessing they are.

On Mother’s Day, we will either say thanks and give love in person or via phone to the most important person in our lives – or we will send our thoughts and love to Heaven. To those of you who are mothers, enjoy the day. Enjoy the love. Enjoy the thanks for all of the wonderful things you have done and continue to do – and for being a role model across our ages.

To my little momma – I love you beyond measure.

We are here because we were born of love. And, as Rumi taught us, we are never separated.

Phyl