On the Passing of My Mother: From Her Hands Came Love
I Never Saw Your Wings
by Michele (last name unknown)
How is it that I never saw your wings
when you were here with me?
When you closed your eyes and soared
to the Heavens I could hear the
faint flutter of your wings as you left.
Your body no longer on this side,
your spirit here eternally, I see your halo shine.
I close my eyes and see the multicolored wings
surround me in my saddest moments and my happiest times.
Mother my angel, God has given you your assignment:
always my mother, forever my angel.
You fly into my dreams and when I am asleep
I feel your wings brush against my face wiping away
the tears I shed since I can no longer hold
you in my arms, but in my heart.
You earned those wings dear mother
and you will always be my angel eternal.
This week my mother passed away suddenly from a heart attack. She had a full and blessed life.
My mother was faithful to the Lord and instilled a strong faith within my soul that has guided me every day of my life.
My mother was a fabulous cook and owned an Italian restaurant with my father in Ames, Iowa, in which she showcased her delicious northern Italian food. No matter how much everyone who dined in their restaurant loved her cooking . . . the BEST stuff was only served at home!
During the last few days before her final resting place next to my father, I continually touched and caressed her hands. I burned those visual images of her perfectly manicured fingers into my memory.
It was my mother’s hands that first held me, cared for me, fed me, cleansed me . . . loved me.
It was from my mother’s hands that her love came through whenever she made homemade pasta (tortellini and ravioli) for every holiday and family get-together, whenever she prepared a cherished family recipe passed down from her family in Modena, Italy . . . all prepared from memory without any written instructions.
My mother’s hands were forever stirring a huge pot of our family’s pasta sauce (Bolognese), or sprinkling garlic and rosemary on her recipes, to always the perfect amount.
My mother’s hands sewed my clothes, washed my clothes, mended my clothes and pressed my clothes as I was growing up under her care.
From my mother’s hands, she crocheted countless afghans for every child and grandchild to match each individual decor. Quilts were made. Pottery was made, painted and fired. My mother’s hands helped teach me to play the piano and so much more.
My mother’s hands are now gone, now forever gently pressed together while giving glory to God.
My hands, with the examples taught by my mother, are now the hands to carry on my mother’s love to the next generation.
I pray that I use my hands honorably in her memory.
And I hope that I can hold her hand, spiritually, forever.
.
.
Beautiful tribute to your amazing mother, Roz. I have no idea that you will hold her close spiritually for all time.
Thank you for your very kind words that you wrote to me regarding the loss of my mother in June. It has been rough-going for the past few months, but with time, life will neutralize, as it always does. Life is short and lived with joy.
Be well my friend,
Roz
What a beautiful tribute to your mother. Again, my deepest condolences, Roz.
Thank you so much Susan. I appreciate your simple act of kindness to leave your sympathies in a comment on my blog regarding the loss of my mother in June. I’m sorry it has taken me a little bit of time to get back into the swing of things with so many things, including returning to the fall semester classroom, and I failed to respond to you earlier. I hope that you’re summer has been wonderful and that you’re having a ‘delicious’ day!
Hugs,
Roz
I am offering my condolences and prayers to you and your family.
Thank you so much for your prayers and sympathy J.T.! I appreciate it more than I can say!
Blessings to you,
Roz
please accept my sincere condolences for your loss my friend. I send gentle hugs across the miles xo
Dearest Katherine, Thank you so much for the meaningful and kind e-sympathy card that you sent me on the passing of my mother in July. I cannot tell you in simple words how much that meant to me as well as your beautiful friendship!
Hugs,
Roz
I send my condolences on the passing from this life to Heaven of your beloved mother..I enjoyed your tribute you wrote to her..God’s blessings in the days and years without your Mom..I lost my mother when I was a wee one and I have never gotten over it, did not get any recipes or teaching of much, but she lives in my heart and my mind and soul and is an angel in heaven quiding me..ciao mi bella!
Dear Mary,
I don’t know how to reply to you directly, so I’ll leave my message to you hear and hope that you receive it. Thank you so much for sharing about your own mother and how she continues to live on in your heart, mind, and soul. I like how you said that she is an angel in heaven guiding you. I like to think that too! I hope that you have a beautiful day!
Hugs,
Roz
I am so sorry to read this. It is just 6 months today my Mom is gone, she passed in January and I am still getting over the fact she is gone. I took photos of her hands when she was in the nursing home, and a photo 5 days before she died, I am so glad I did. We lived together so it’s a real adjustment, and I am an only child. I feel as you do they are always with us, and that gives much comfort. My Mom used that same type of pasta machine as well, not sure if I will attempt it myself, but you never know. Thinking of you! ♥
Hi Rosemary,
I really appreciate your kind words of sympathy and remember when your mother passed in January. It’s still quite a bit raw, but I’m taking things more slowly during this time of grieving.
Thank you again for your words of understanding,
Roz
I am so sorry to hear of the passing of your mother. What a beautiful tribute you wrote. She is lovingly holding your face in her hands today and always. My deepest sympathies to you.
Christy
Dear Christy,
Thank you so much for your words of sympathy on the loss of my mother. Such beautiful words of comfort! I wish that I knew how to contact you directly to thank you, but there is no email address left here on your comment. I hope that you receive my gratitude in some way.
Blessings,
Roz
We are so sorry to hear about the passing of your mom. Oh Roz, what a beautiful tribute to your loving mom. Your mom will always be with you and your family. Thank you for sharing her life with us. We are keeping you and your family in our prayers.
Un grande abbraccio….
Dear Liz and Anna, I cannot put into words how grateful that I am for both of your friendships, no matter if through the internet and our blogs…..your kindness and thoughtfulness that you shared when my mother passed in July meant and still means so very much to me. I wish all good things and beautiful blessings in return for your kindness toward me.
With love,
Roz
la tua mamma sarà sempre con te con tanto amore, un grande abbraccio
Gentile Chiara, La ringrazio per le gentili parole di simpatia al superamento di mia madre questa estate. Sono molto grato per la vostra amicizia; la sua premura mi ha aiutato durante il mio tempo di perdita.
Molte benedizioni,
Roz
Translation: “Your mom will always be with you with so much love, a big hug”
Your mother left you with great memories, Roz and you honored her well with this post. She had beautiful hands which cared for you well, I’m sure. So sorry for your loss, take care…
Dear Pam, Thank you so much for your kind words of sympathy on the passing of my mother this summer. Time has slowly been healing my soul and I’ve been slowly returning to normal (including blogging and visiting my blog friends). It’s a blessing to have such dear friends such as you in my life!
Hugs,
Roz
So sorry to hear about the passing of your Mom. What a beautiful and loving tribute. You were a lucky girl to have such a woman in your life.
Thank you for your thoughtful comment that you’ve left here on my blog after the passing of my mother. I am so fortunate to have friends like you, Jan!
Roz
Oh Roz – what a beautiful tribute to a beautiful and loving woman. Your love for her comes shining through as well. As the saying goes, what comes around, goes around. I love the photo of her hands with the pasta and the way you wrote about all she did with her hands to show her love. I’m so sorry for your loss, but hope the memories will sustain you through this intense time of mourning and give you peace in the future.
Oh thank you so much for your kind words of sympathy on the passing of my mother. As time has gone by, our hearts have healed little by little and as you said, the memories sustain us.
Hugs,
Roz
So sorry for your loss Roz but great that you will have such wonderful memories of her.
Thank you Larry. It’s been a quiet time of reflection for me and I truly appreciate the words that you have left me on the loss of my mother in July.
Roz
Roz: I always love your posts about your mother. I’m so very sorry to hear of her passing. What a lovely tribute you have written here. What lovely memories you have for comfort.
Best,
Bonnie
Dear Bonnie, Thank you for your kind words of sympathy and understanding on the loss of my mother this summer. I appreciate your friendship so much and wish you blessings in return!
Hugs,
Roz
I am so sorry to hear about the loss of your mother. A very beautiful tribute you wrote in her honor. I am keeping you and yur family in my prayers.
Dearest Catherine, Thank you so much for the time you took to extend your sympathies for the loss of my mother. I am just now able to reply to you and to my other dear friends. Thank you so much for the e-sypmpathy card too! I love it! I hope that you are doing well these fine days of the end of summer and that you are enjoying life to the fullest!
Hugs,
Roz
What a beautiful post. You were blessed to have such a mother.
Thank you so much, Pam, for your kind words! I appreciate them so very much!
Hugs,
Roz
I am so very sorry for your loss, Roz. (((HUG)))
This is a beautiful tribute to your dear mom!
Thank you for your sweet words Angie! It’s been pretty rough and I hope to get back to blogging more soon.
Be well,
Roz
My heartfelt condolences. You wrote such a beautiful tribute for her – it conveys how loved and lovely she was.
Dear Ady,
I don’t know if this reply will come to you, since I don’t know your email contact. But I just wanted to thank you for your kindness and thoughtfulness for extending your condolences to me on the loss of my mother in June. I haven’t been quite up to it, until now, to reply and even think about it. Your gesture will never be forgotten and I wish you all good things to come.
Blessings,
Roz from La Bella Vita Cucina
Dear Ros, I’m very sorry to hear about your Mom. Thank you for sharing such a loving tribute. Love, thoughts & prayers to you and your family.
Dear Anne,
Thank you so much for offering your kind sympathies to me on the loss of my mother in June. It has taken me quite a while to even be able to write back to you and those who took the time to write to me. I am so grateful for friends like you! I hope that you have a delightful day and wish you many blessings in return!
Roz from La Bella Vita Cucina
Oh Roz! I am so sorry to hear of your mother’s passing! Your tribute to her about her hands is so beautiful. I think she did pass on her love to you as I see with what kindness you write your blog with your hands and comment on other blogs. You are already passing it on to other generations. Reading about her just makes me want to be a better person. Thank you so much for sharing a little bit of her life with us. My prayers and heart goes out to you and your family!
Thank you so much Shari, for your very kind words of sympathy and understanding on the passing of my mother. It has been a slow road of grieving, but I know that time and God heals all sadness, and this is part of life. I have been taking it very slowly and am so glad that I’m giving this period a lot of time to reflect and remember.
Hugs,
Roz
Roz,
I am so sorry to hear about your mother’s passing. This post was a beautiful tribute to her and a testimonial of your love for her. Your love will keep her in your heart always.
I appreciate your sympathies more than you know Judee. I have been away from my blog quite a bit and hope to get back into it more as time goes by.
Again, thank you so much for your thoughtfulness,
Roz
She will continue to hold your hand, Roz, till you join her in heaven one day. What a touching tribute to your amazing mother. Sending you much love.
Thank you so much Liz . . . the grieving process has been slow and has truly impacted my days. I know that you miss your mother very much too.
Hugs,
Roz
You’re so lucky to have had so many years with your mother. Will add her to my prayer list.
It’s so nice to hear from you again Adrienne! Thank you for your sentiments and for adding my mother to your prayer list! I wish you blessings in return.
Roz
Oh my gosh, I’m so sorry. You’ve written a beautiful post in her memory.
Thank you for your kindness Mindy; I am slowly being able to reply to you and to the others who left their sympathies to me. Life is short — enjoy your loved ones while you have them.
Blessings,
Roz
You have the heart and the hands to carry on what your Mother taught you. Just from what I see, and not ever meeting you in person, she created a lovely person to carry on her traditions.
Peace be with all of you and a restful peace for your Mom. How lucky I was the day she “friended” me on Facebook!!!
Oh Peter, your words and thoughtfulness meant so much to me when my mother passed. Your beautiful tribute book to your own mother was so helpful! Not only am I glad that you ‘friended’ my mother on FB, but more so, I’m happy that you befriended ME!
Have a sunny day in Florida!
Roz
Roz,
So sorry for your loss. You’re Mom must have you touched so many people. She will be remembered for lifetimes to come. My thoughts and prayers are with you, cara.
Annamaria
Cara Annamaria,
Thank you so much for your kind words on the passing of my mother in June. It’s been rough getting back into the swing of things and I hope to blog more as time goes by.
Wishing you a beautiful day,
Roz
How lovely, Roz. I should not have read this in public. Tears streaming down my face but, actually, I don’t really care who sees.
You’re so sweet Cate! I don’t care about yours or my tears either! We’re humans with feelings. Thank you for your kind words!
Roz