Last Friday I attended the funeral of a very good friend’s Mom, Mrs. Helen McGinn. Actually, my husband and our friend John have been friends since junior high school. I had only seen his Mrs. McGinn a handful of times at his wedding, or a celebration here and there.
But at Mrs. McGinn’s celebratory Mass, I got to know her in a very beautiful way.
Our friend John eulogized his Mom. He spoke eloquently of her 94 years on this earth. He told us of her great love for her family, her sons, her grandchildren and now great grandchildren.
And he told of her passions in life… her love of sports (particularly the Boston Red Sox!), her love of education (she left home in 1931 to attend college at the age of 16!), her passion for reading, her passion for her Church, her passion for fun and laughter and joy.
John spoke of her kindness, and her kindnesses. He told of her gentle discipline. Her great strength. And her positivity.
The congregation was rapt.
When we left the church, I asked my husband how he would describe his Mom’s passions. And I asked aloud, “How do I describe MY Mom’s passions?”
We talked and laughed over the things that we love about our Moms (my Mom is 83 and my mother-in-law is 89!) and the endearing things about them. We told funny stories and spoke of the hardships of women who came of age when they did. And yes, we laughed over the things that drive us crazy about them.
But describing their passions… at least from our perspectives, was wonderful.
And it got me thinking… how would my kids describe my passions?
Sometimes as moms, our personalities get lost for awhile. I see this sentiment over and over again on many blogs. We love our children, and that is our number one passion in life… but honestly, how are we seen by these very children?
And by the way, what color are your Mom’s eyes?
Let me know!
(And thank you, Mrs. McGinn, for making me think about our moms and the greatest love of all!)
- Sharon
It’s what it’s all about in the end, no? If I remembered that all day every day, I’d be doing well.
My mother’s eyes are brown like mine.
What a beautiful post…very touching…my mother’s eyes are hazel, just like mine.
My mom’s eyes were brown, mine are green. General FYI, new research suggests eye color is not directly inherited but can be from a random gene. Both my parents had brown eyes, all 4 kids were hazel to green.
I’m a font of useless trivia.
I’ve thought about my Mum a lot this past year as she was battling breast cancer. She’s doing awesome, but I learned to show her my appreciation now instead of when she’s gone. I explained this to my boys and my oldest got it….for about 2.5 seconds then off he went being a boy! HA!
My Mum’s eyes are green…she passed it down to me.
My Mom’s eyes are blue, and I got my green eyes from my Dad.
I guess I should answer my own question!
My Mom’s eyes are blue-hazel, sometimes gray.
My mother-in-law’s eyes are soft brown.
And passions?
My Mom loves exercise and nutrition. At 83, she still exercises 4 days/week and would do more if not for her arthritis. Up until last year, she golfed, bowled, walked, and exercised at least 6 days/week. She still reads everything there is about nutrition. My fondest memories from my childhood are watching my Mom hula-hoop in our living room nightly and swing along with Jack LaLanne on our black & white TV! What I have learned from my Mom about exercise and nutrition is priceless!
My mother-in-law loves to cook. She is Portuguese, and at 89 she can still whip up a 5-course meal from the stuff she has on hand in her pantry or refrigerator! Her greatest joy is preparing individual special goodies or side dishes or entire meals for people she loves. If you love it, she remembers it! And of course, along with cooking is her passion for entertaining. What I have learned from my mother-in-law about cooking and entertaining is priceless!
Now if I could only get my act together and cook nutritious meals for dozens of people and then organize a nice long walk… well, I would make both of them proud!
Sharon – Pinks & Blues
I loved that post! Definitely got me thinking, I talk to my mom quite a bit even though we are on opposite sides of the states right now. At least twice a week! My mom loves to read, something I got from her, as well as bake and cook for the ones she loves.
And my mom and I share dark brown eyes!!
My Mother’s eyes are the color of love – Sympathetic and caring when a child starts to cry, strong and supportive in all that I try. Filled with elation when we have success, proud and happy when we just do our best. Strict and stern in times misbehaving, and all through the while a love that’s unwavering.
Oh, you wanted more of a technical answer? Well, they’re a beautiful mixture of blue & green.
Thank you for such a beautiful post & for reminding me of the love and all that I see in my Mom’s eyes!
Mom, when I think of your passions (besides your family, of course), first and foremost I think of writing. The gift you have with the written word is simply amazing, and I strive to be half the writer you are!
I also think of your passion for gardening and your passion for good food.
I remember spending a lot of time as a little girl looking in your eyes because I never understood how I got blue eyes when neither of my parents do. You have beautiful hazel eyes, with what looks like yellow explosions of sun around the middle (that’s how I remember describing it to myself as a little girl) and dad has brown eyes.
Loved this post! Love you!
Love, Janie
Thank you, Sharon, for the kind words and my mother’s eyes were hazle.
I love this post! My mom’s eyes are hazel (mine are blue/gray) and her passions other than family are women’s health, autism (because of my kids) and interior design.
I just posted yesterday about eyes…eye contact to be exact. I love your writing so much Sharon!
`Arianne
My niece keyed in my name on Google and came upon your blog; she asked me to read it because she thought it was lovely. I hope I have the same effect on my own children as my namesake surely did on hers. I’m loving your blog, btw.
Helen (Glasgow, Scotland)