To try to think of one particularly great story about my mom that really stands out..is kind of a challenge. That feels weird to write it, and said out loud its even more strange. I guess life with my mom was just an endless series of great moments, great days..a bunch of small every day things that comprised one amazing life.My mom passed away 18 years ago. Thats sometimes still very hard to believe. One particular moment stands out..and its a very sad one. But also just illustrates how strong she was and how amazing of a mother she was. I was working at my part time job one night. Mom had been declining..her years long battle with cancer was nearing its end. But I got a call from my brother or my dad at the restaurant I was working at- Mom wasnt doing well, and i needed to get to Mom and Dad’s. I left immediately and went to their house. When I got there Mom was at the bathroom sink, and maybe for the first time in my life I saw my mom scared. Uncertain. Not sure what was happening.I was upset. Dad went upstairs to get his keys and wallet, as we were gonna take Mom to the hospital. Dad asked me to get Mom to the couch and help her put on her coat and her shoes so we could go when he came downstairs. I got Mom to the couch, and I was crying a lot. I’d never seen my mom look this shaken,
and knew things weren’t good. I hugged her so hard I practically tackled her into the couch. i didn’t want to let go. But I had to help with her shoes. I sat up, and as I was trying to get her shoes on, I was struggling. The tears were flowing so much I could barely see what I was doing. Then, my mom did what she did for almost 34 years- she just made her baby (she called me that) feel reassured and better. Or tried to. She put her hand on my shoulder and my back, and said “Jimmy, it’ll be ok. Everything will be ok”. With who knows what going on in her mind, with her having to know that things weren’t going to be ok, with her maybe being scared of what was going on, her first thought was to take care of me, to protect me, to tell me everything will be ok. I will never forget that moment. As sad as it was, I dont want to forget it. because it just reaffirmed to me what I already know. That nothing mattered to Mom more than caring for and protecting her kids. That turned out to be the last day Mom spent at the house. She passed a couple weeks later. The little 4’10” Italian dynamo left us..but never left our hearts. There were far more happy memories: taking me to an Indians game on my 8th birthday. We took the bus because Dad was working second shift,and my brother had just started driving. But we hoppped on the bus and had a great time. There was the homemade pasta dinners for every holiday (even Thanksgiving had cavatelli..Italians lol). She’d make me pasta every night I had a little league game and tell me there was a double and triple in there. Like I said, the good memories were far more prevalent. But that night-as sad as it was- will stay with me forever. Mom took care of her loved ones, always put us first. Even when she had every right to put herself first. Thanks Mom. You’re the best 🙂

@theunsealed