I will miss you, Mother.

Yesterday evening, sadly and unexpectedly, my mom lost her mother.

She was 87 years old, a devout catholic, a mother of nine, a grandmother to 18, and a great grandmother to eight.

My grandma, or Mother as I affectionately called her, was a very special person. She was a throwback, someone that was never afraid to voice her opinion, someone who dedicated her life to her religion and her family. Her intellect was unmatched. Her wit was often subtle, but never unnoticed.

I will never forget the evening that my little sister and I were out to dinner with Mother when I was probably around 13 and Emily was maybe 9. I had finished my meal and had told Mother I was full. She proceeded to teach Emily and I a new way to phrase that we had eaten enough. A more sophisticated way to say it, if you will. Here is what we learned:

"I have an elegant sufficiency, anything more would be superfluous. If my language is too copious for your comprehension, I will diminish it to a more substantial denomination."

In a nutshell, that phrase illustrates who Mother was.

As everyone in our family has a heavy heart today, there isn't a doubt in my mind that Mother has gone to a better place and is she is enjoying her long awaited reunion with my grandfather, a man that I never had the honor to meet, as he passed away too soon over 40 years ago, and her son Kip, who also was taken from us prematurely about 6 years ago.

There has always been a seat at the table with my grandpa and Kip reserved for Mother, but we just weren't ready for her to join them yet. She will be dearly missed.

Rest in peace Mother. Your devotion to God, the Church, and your family has undoubtedly earned you the life in Heaven you so deserve.

I love you.
Matthew