Let me start off with saying Happy Thanksgiving to everyone. This is the time of year for getting together with family and friends and celebrating all we are thankful for. Thanksgiving this year is missing something, missing something that was a constant for so many other years. My mom-mom left us almost 8 months ago. Thanksgiving was her holiday, the one day a year when she took the protector off the cherry dining table and eagerly spread out her hand embroidered tablecloth. Thanksgiving at her house had traditions like celery and cream cheese, jumbo shrimp cocktail and store bought coconut custard pie.
Mom-mom and Pop-pop stopped hosting Thanksgiving a couple years ago, it just got to be too much work after some health issues. But she was more than happy to go elsewhere for Thanksgiving dinner always bringing along something, usually deviled eggs or macaroni salad. She loved being with her family. This year is different, she isn’t coming.
I miss her and I think of her everyday. I miss her stories mixing up my dad and uncle. I miss her bringing her own soda to parties, diet 7-up. I miss her mostly racist comments about the changing neighborhood(LOL). I missed my birthday card with a taped $5 bill in it. I miss the kid’s random $1 store trinkets at every holiday or visit just because they need something to keep them occupied. I miss the smell of her perfume permeating the house. I miss her haphazard application of pink lipstick. I know she would say this, Don’t Grieve for Me. She would tell me to move on take care of my family and while I am doing that, I still miss her and wish we had one more day together.
Don’t Grieve For Me by Shannon Mosely
Don’t grieve for me, for now I’m free;
I’m following the path God laid for me.
I took His hand when I heard Him call;
I turned my back and left it all.
I could not stay another day,
To laugh, to love, to work or play.
Tasks left undone must stay that way;
I found that place at the close of day.
If my parting has left a void,
then fill it with remembered joy.
A friendship shared, a laugh, a kiss;
Ah yes, these things, I too, will miss.
Be not burdened with times of sorrow;
I wish you the sunshine of tomorrow.
My life’s been full, I savored much;
Good friends, good times, a loved ones touch.
Perhaps my time seemed all too brief;
Don’t lengthen it now with undue grief.
Lift up your heart and share with me;
God wanted me now, He set me free.
