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 © | Year Posted 2021



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Date: 7/1/2021 5:27:00 PM
Richard.... what can I write? She was a lovely woman. Birthdays connected us. I know how much you loved your mom. Your tribute is moving being words. May the memories bring comfort when you can't call. May remembered words echo in your mind. May her love be your strength.
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Richard Lamoureux
Date: 7/2/2021 3:27:00 PM
Thanks Eileen, I'm glad I can celebrate you both on that special birthday. Hugs Rick.
Date: 6/9/2021 1:12:00 PM
Im sorry that I didn't see this before now Richard, a beautiful tribute to your Mother. Im sorry for your loss. Tom
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Richard Lamoureux
Date: 7/2/2021 3:28:00 PM
Thanks Tom.
Date: 5/16/2021 8:52:00 PM
This is such a moving tribute to your mother, Richard, she sure must have been a strong woman:) one day, you will see her again and your stepdad too:) my heartfelt condolences...
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Richard Lamoureux
Date: 5/21/2021 8:03:00 AM
Thanks Jo. ;0)
Date: 5/15/2021 3:46:00 AM
You brought tears to my eyes Rick, I also left the husband who abused me and married my wonderful Husband Elias, who has a special bond with both his sons, one mine one his, but in reality both his - my son Ricky loves Elias very much, and as for me, I re-found my soulmate, and this time we got married straight away - celebrated 20 years last December. I hope one day my sons will feel as you feel about their mom - My deepest condolences my dear friend, she is now your guardian angel. Hugs, Jenn.
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Richard Lamoureux
Date: 5/21/2021 8:06:00 AM
I’m glad you found your soul mate. I found mine and celebrated our 27th anniversary yesterday.
Date: 5/13/2021 8:04:00 AM
A hymn to love sung in many tunes, my dearest friend, Richard. Absolutely moving. May you live forever, my dearest friend, Richard, and may you always remember the people you loved, especially, your mom!
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Richard Lamoureux
Date: 5/14/2021 5:41:00 AM
My hope is to see her again. As Christians we have that hope to sustain us. Thanks for your kind words.
Date: 5/13/2021 6:18:00 AM
This is a breath of love captured in ink.. I struggle to imagine a better write than this! It is definitely a fave and (though my mom is all sweet and never B) reminds me of the relationship I have with her... she is my rock too... God bless you dear friend. I'm so in love with this. Love, Gina
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Richard Lamoureux
Date: 5/14/2021 5:40:00 AM
Thanks Regina, I’m glad it reminds you of your relationship with your mom. I’m thankful for the time I have had with my mom. Hugs Rick.
Date: 5/12/2021 12:09:00 PM
I love this piece on you mom, too funny. I have a pretty close relationship with my son Matthew also and we talk mostly each day. It's great that you had that quality trip to Italy, such a beautiful country. I saw it in 2007 with my then hubby. I am going to create "A night in Italy" for my terminal Italian cousin who won't make it sadly over there.
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Richard Lamoureux
Date: 5/12/2021 8:22:00 PM
Our son’s name is also Matthew. That’s great that you have a close relationship with him.
Date: 5/12/2021 2:50:00 AM
Your relationship with your Mum Was so special, one i envy, (my own was the opposite) Your Title 'The Call' carries on to the end which i feel is the 'Calling' from God, and in between another special gift her son and his poetry...
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Richard Lamoureux
Date: 5/12/2021 5:30:00 AM
Hi Harry, look up Mama Bear, she posted here for a while. Thanks for this heartfelt response Harry. Blessings Rick.
Date: 5/11/2021 3:12:00 PM
As I said earlier... very sad to hear about your loss, Rick (especially around this time of year with Mother’s Day and all). Your mom sounds like a resilient lady, tough on the outside, soft on the inside. I know she must be proud of you. It was a very heartfelt poem “Like I am the only one who matters In that slice of time” .... must have been an incredibly special bond indeed.
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Richard Lamoureux
Date: 5/11/2021 6:10:00 PM
Thanks buddy, your words are comforting.
Date: 5/11/2021 1:35:00 PM
As I said earlier... very sad to hear about your loss, Rick (especially around this time of year with Mother’s Day and all). Your mom sounds like a resilient lady, tough on the outside, soft on the inside. I know she must be proud of you. It was a very heartfelt poem “Like I am the only one who matters In that slice of time” .... must have been an incredibly special bond indeed.
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Date: 5/11/2021 10:50:00 AM
Dearest Richard. All of them are wonderful. Sorry you lost Mama Bear,But you had an outstanding relationship most do not have. Be very grateful. She lives on in you, I can tell. I read them all.very impressed with your writing. Golly, way more than a Haiku!! Thanks for sharing so very much. Faved. Panagiota xx
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Richard Lamoureux
Date: 5/11/2021 6:11:00 PM
I am very thankful for the experiences we shared and the time we had together.
Date: 5/11/2021 8:56:00 AM
Dear Rick, Your Mama Bear was my kind of woman. Indulging you by reading your honored words about your mother was a gift to all who took the time to do so. If she was a B, then I'd be proud to call myself one, too....having left an abusive relationship. She was more fortunate than I, to have found another love. I enjoyed your line very much.
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Richard Lamoureux
Date: 5/11/2021 9:29:00 AM
Hi Jenna, so sorry you endured an abusive relationship. Thanks for your sensitive response.
Date: 5/10/2021 8:13:00 PM
Beautiful writing. Exceptional tribute to your mom at the beginning. She must have been extra special, just like my mom. Mother's Days are hard times, friend.
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Richard Lamoureux
Date: 5/10/2021 11:15:00 PM
Thanks Milton, much appreciated.
Date: 5/10/2021 7:35:00 PM
Four letters, Richard: P O T Y -- Poem of the Year! Accept nothing less. Bravo, Gershon
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Richard Lamoureux
Date: 5/10/2021 11:17:00 PM
I hope it does receive POTD so that poets here who know my mom will read this one. Thanks for your kind words Gershon.
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