The Call
The Call
For as long as I can remember, I have been phoning my mom. Even before leaving home when I was a teenager. Whenever I had good or bad news, it was just natural for me to want to call my mom. When I was sixteen, I worked at Bob Parr Shoes in Kitchener. I would call up mom and talk about the day. I remember the manager Lou Gies asked me, “Do you call your mom every day?” I thought it was an odd question to ask because for me it seemed such a normal part of my day. This habit has carried on over the years and became even more important after I moved out west to be with my sweetie (28 years ago). For those of you who don’t know me well, “Sweetie” is my wife Mary.
Mom and I have always had an easy way of talking to each other. I guess we just get each other’s humour. In 2012, my sweetie, mom and I traveled to Italy together. I am so glad we shared that time. The reason I bring it up is that at times my mom and I were laughing so much that I think my sweetie thought we were nuts. My mom has an irreverent humour that not everyone gets at first. As some might say, she was an “acquired taste”. Those who took the time to get to know her were richly rewarded. If you got to know my mom, you know what I am talking about.
When I started to write this piece, I was going to title it “O-B I T C H- uary”. Now you might think that is odd and I guess it is. Now for the record, I can honestly say the B word is not how I describe my mom. Her, on the other hand, she did so all the time. For those of you who are fans of Beyonce, she has an alter ego she calls “Sasha Fierce” she channels Sasha when she is on stage. I guess you could say Sasha Fierce is her inner Super Hero. Well in my moms case, maybe her inner Super Hero is Wonder-B. I think my mom used Wonder-B to help her navigate difficult waters. My mom who was kind, loving and generous was also abused at the hands of my father. I think Wonder-B helped give her the strength to finally leave that relationship. It’s her way of saying “Don’t mess with me!” Now don’t get me wrong, her inner B is tempered by a soft heart, a generous spirit, fierce loyalty and a great sense of humour. If you are inclined to laugh, hug, dance or play cards, mom was your gal. She certainly was mine. A big hole is left in my heart. Still I have so much to be thankful for. I love you mom, I’m thankful for you and I wish I could pick up the phone and call.
Love Rick
I have attached another piece I wrote after my step dad Bob passed away. Bob was the love of my mom’s life. Please indulge me by reading a bit longer
Ashes
Everywhere she went
She sprinkled some ashes
Leaving a part of him
Releasing a bit more of her sadness
lessening that ache
as she celebrated him
remembering his goodness
I was not everywhere
still I took part in the ritual
releasing a bit of my own sadness
As I remembered him
I held back the tears
Instead I let a smile cross my lips
He had lived his life well
His ashes were sprinkled in a family orchard
at the base of a tree
A place of great beauty
Spectacular like his soul
His ashes at the end of a dock on lake Okanagan
Oh how he loved the beach
Wishing to play along the waters edge
like the big kid he was at heart
But he'd never learnt how to swim
Still his ashes floated with ease
Now he has no limitations
I left a bit of him on a sailboat
So he can be carried to new places
After all he loved to travel
His ashes came with us to Italy
In spirit he was part of our adventure
I laughed when my mom told me
She sprinkled him in the Vatican
She was gleeful
My mom the rebel
Playful and brave
One of the many reasons he loved her so
He was with us in Florence
His essence there along ancient streets
In vineyards
and quaint villages
We traveled to the Amalfi Coast
Along winding roads
More like a donkey path than a highway
Mom in the backseat saying “Oh !”
Not usually one to swear
Bob's ashes in her pocket
I don't know if she thought of him then
Later she remembered their time in Greece
He was never far from her mind
Somehow this ritual
Made me smile
It is now added to my memory
Allowing me to be thankful for Bob
For mom
For two lives well lived
For a love well loved
A soulmate celebrated
Appreciated
and remembered!
Oops just one more to share
Favourite
Some words
Need not be spoken
Yet somehow
I have always felt
that I am your favourite
I know others
Feel the same way
It's how you engage
The way you hear
The playfulness in your voice
The genuineness of your laugh
Like I am the only one who matters
In that slice of time
I am your favourite
You
Yes you
Are my Favourite
One of a very special few
My soul connected since before I was born
For me your eyes are home
Your hug my strength
Your laugh my pleasure
I am lifted by your clever
My heart sings in the midst of your generous
I cry your tears
I see myself in your mirror
The parts of me I cherish sprung from your spirit
Your words dance at the edges of me
Permeate my inner being
Centre me
You
Yes you
My very special one
My favourite
The one I love
Who has blessed me so
My special
Very special
Favourite
Undefinable
Wonderful
Mom
I love you mom.
My mom is known here as Mama Bear. She passed today with her family close by.
Copyright © Richard Lamoureux | Year Posted 2021
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