Like a Sun
You didn’t give me life, but you breathed it into me…
My North star my whole life, and for so very long I didn’t even know. How many of us go our whole lives, or a good portion not even realizing someone in it is so vital, so important to us? For me, I knew, she was my mentor, my therapist, my guide, my best friend, my leader, the fire under my…when I needed it.
My childhood was always an interesting adventure. I guess that’s the best way to describe it. My love for photography started at a very young age. I’m still unsure as to why, but Mom always allowed me to find old cameras places we would visit and play with them and sometimes I was even able to bring one home! I have a small collection of them. As a Chicago Public School teacher, then Counselor after earning her Masters degree and showing me that change mid-life is ok, it wasn’t like we lived a lavish lifestyle, but life was good. We made do. Something I think we are missing these days actually. More time with family, friends on the block, less time in front of electronic devices, more time breathing clean air.
Mom was born December 3, 1943. She loved musicals and the city of Chicago. We would drive around the city and she knew it better than any tour guide. Every statue, building, artifact, location, she would either stop and tell a story, or would introduce it, or of course tell the story for the 300th time. I loved her love of Chicago. It’s why my heart will always be there. Regardless of zip codes, I love Chicago and no one can take that away from me
She never missed an event, drove me everywhere, and made sure I had everything I needed. That does not mean everything I wanted, I did not get everything I wanted, but she sacrificed for me and I see that now. I learned how to be a father and sacrifice my needs and wants by watching my Mom and Dad sacrifice their needs and wants. She would drive me to tournaments and spend weekends sitting doing nothing. No cell phones ok? She might have been able to bring a book to read or talk to one of the other Mom’s (here’s where my kids call me UNC). Now, hopefully, I am doing right by my kids and ensuring I am at every event, capturing every moment by camera which Mom tried to do as well with her camera (which yes, I have and it is very difficult to even hold).
Losing a mother is the most difficult thing I have ever gone through. For those of us in the group, you may understand. My Mom was one of a kind. She gave and gave and gave. Even in her last years, basically unable to move, if you asked her to drive hours to deliver something she would have dragged herself out of that bed to do it and fought anyone who tried to stop her. She accomplished the most amazing things, and helped everyone around her, and she never asked for anything. I take that back, she only ever asked me to be happy, and take care of my kids. She never asked me for anything. I owe my Mom the world, and I hope I am making her proud. I will never stop Mom, I love you and I miss you.
With love forever.
-Brian
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