Love is a special thing. My mother had unconditional love. She was a true pioneer and lived a life of adventure.
In July of 2005, my niece and I decided to go on a road trip to northern Alberta, Canada. She had just graduated from high school, and to celebrate, she wanted to go see her grandmother. She had not been up to “the farm” since she was 11 years old.
We decided we would take her car, which was a gift from her grandfather. We set off on our journey of adventure with memories to be made.
Four hundred miles into our journey, the car engine blew. From there, we were towed into a small town, and after a day of indecision, my mother decided she would drive south to meet us — a mere 1,000 miles. She was in the middle of an estate sale, so we would have to wait a day or two until she could get there.
We settled into our motel room and walked around the small town, touring museums and seeing the sights. We would wait, and wait we did.
After three days the phone call came.
My mother had been in a tragic car accident and suddenly died.
My life was torn apart. My niece’s life was shattered; her grandmother was her rock. But, God only gives you as much as you can handle. My mother always said, “One day at a time.”
From this day on, we had to put one foot in front of the other. We had to move forward, so my brothers came and got my niece and took her back home and another came and got me to go and take care of my mother’s business in Alberta.
We were there three weeks taking care of business and grieving our loss. The town and neighbors were so supportive and giving — just like my mother.
She was a very simple lady. She was very knowledgeable in so many things. She loved gardening, farming, raising livestock and she even loved to hunt. One time she killed two grouse with one .22 shot! She also loved being at her beach cabin, walking and digging for clams.
She was a very good cook, never wasting anything. She always had a pot of soup on the stove. My mother was very resourceful. She taught me so much throughout my life; sometimes I wish I would have paid more attention. But I knew she loved me and all of her family equally.
And they loved her.
Life goes on, and memories come and go. To be a mother is an honor. You do the best you can, and always with unconditional love.
This summer, my niece and I hope to continue that great adventure we started almost nine years ago, with a road trip to northern Alberta to see “the farm.”
She can then reflect on the legacy her grandmother left behind and see the countryside that she so dearly loved.
Love is a special thing.
Read more stories in the “Memories of Mom” series here.
