I went to a
funeral yesterday. The husband of my cousin, Carol. George Kosturbanik,
U.S. Navy veteran. George was 91 when he passed away. A feisty guy, he
could talk to anyone about anything…and…he made some darn good wine!
Being as how he’d lived a long productive life, there were not so many
tears. Not in church anyway…not until the cemetery when the Navy PO1
played Taps. She was perfect. The sound of the bugle echoing across the
cemetery had quite a few of us reaching for tissues.
You may wonder what this has to do with Mother’s Day. It was the
gathering after the cemetery. You know…weddings and funerals. No matter
how often we say we’ll all get together, it just seems like it ends up
being weddings and funerals. Beginnings and Endings. It happens that
years ago my mother worked for this funeral home. She took care of the
food for the gatherings after the services. They still remember her. My
uncle Frank…drove the hearse…they definitely remember him!
So, while I was sitting there listening to people chat…watching the
lady who now prepared the food…a song came quietly into my mind. George
was much older than my cousin, he was of my parent’s generation. That
generation in my family…is very nearly gone now. And the song got
louder. Another cousin’s grandchildren were there. I made the
anouncement that The Daughter is engaged and there were smiles around
the table. And the song came clearer.
Today is Mother’s Day and The Daughter’s
birthday. I’m thinking of my Mom, sweetest woman in the world. I’m
thinking of The Daughter, best daughter in the world. I’m thinking of being a daughter and being
a mother. And the song is very clear. My Mother taught by example. How
to give with your heart and your hands. How to comfort. I hope I’ve
learned some of her lessons. I know The Daughter has her generous
spirit. A funeral, Mother’s Day, a birthday…time and generations move
on.
But most of all
It is me that has changed
And yet I’m still the same
That’s me at the weddings
That’s me at the graves
Dressed like the people
Who once looked so grown-up and brave
MISS YOU MA
HAPPY BIRTHDAY PUNKY!
LOVE, Mom
XXXOOOXXX