Traditions are a big part of my family life — that’s one of the reasons my blog got it’s name. One of our many traditions is to honor my mom. I lost her to a deadly cancer called Bile Duct cancer 5 years ago today. It was brutal….there’s a song that I listen to on christian radio that says we are all 1 phone call from our knees and I so believe that. That one phone call I got changed my life forever and gave me only 6 more months with my best friend – my mom. I miss her everyday and whenever someone tells me I’m so like her I want to cry — it’s the best compliment I could ever receive.
My mom didn’t want to be buried — she wanted to be cremated and have her organs donated to research and her healthy ones donated to others. She wanted us to wear color NOT BLACK at her memorial and she wanted us to celebrate that she was with Jesus. So we don’t go to a gravesight and cry over her grave. We head to the beach – her favorite one and write messages to her in the sand and we write messages on balloons and release them to heaven for her to ‘catch and read’ as my son said the first year we did this. I hope you can enjoy these pictures I share with you…I still can’t believe this is my 5th year without her. Love you ( more ) mom!!!
here they are writing messages in the sand – NANA and I love you nana. I always draw a heart with a cross in it because that was the way she signed all her notes to anyone she wrote to…as you can tell her relationship with the Lord was most important.
Here the kids are writing their messages to her before sending it up to heaven.
Mandy releasing one.
Mandy added a message from our dog Bella :o)
What a nice way to remember your mom. I lost my mom 2 years ago – breast cancer. It's hard, isn't it?
Thank you for sharing this with us! It is a beautiful tradition!
Camille
An Open Door
((hugs)) You and your mom have the same smile =)
Jennifer
First Grade Blue SKies
This is a beautiful and sweet tribute. Your mom obviously left a wonderful legacy.
❀ Tammy
Forever in First
What a beautiful way to remember your mother. Hugs!
-Megan
First Grade Magic
This is beautiful and very special. I lost my mom when I was 10. I know how you feel. It's like a club that we are in that nobody knows about until they are in it. Thank you for sharing.
**hugs**
Randi @ Teach It With Class
My TPT Store
My Facebook Page
I love that tradition! I'm sure she does too!
Becky
Teaching, Learning, & Loving
Hi Vicky! Thank you for following my blog! This is such a sweet post- what a special way to honor your mom. I'm so sorry you lost her. My mom is my best friend too, and I can only imagine how hard it must be. You seem to be blessed with such a wonderful family. I look forward to following your blog!
awwww!! This brought tears to my eyes
This was so sweet! I can only imagine how hard it is losing your best friend and that song is so true. What a sweet tradition to do every year.
Hugs,
Michele
I have goosebumps.
What a lovely tradition.
x
Daydreams of a Student Teacher
So sweet. I remember writing a message to God when I was a little girl and releasing it into the sky in a balloon. Thanks for sharing such a sweet memory.
Emily
tangledwithteaching.blogspot.com
What a sweet tradition.
I'm sure your mom was smiling in Heaven!
This made me reflect on how much I miss my mom too…
Kim
Finding JOY in 6th Grade
Moms are so precious and it is so tragic when we lose a beloved parent. Surely your mom is smiling down on you and appreciating this very special tradition. Thankfully, I still have my mom, but I lost my dad several years ago and it is something you never get over. You just learn to live with that empty space in your heart.
Lori
Teaching With Love and Laughter
You're such a special lady!!!! The first time I read about your mom was four years ago in your class page. It was so touching, and now you're sharing this amazing tradition with us, wow!!!!
This is such a great idea. I lost my grandmother 9 years ago and I miss her everyday. Her and my mom had a relationship like you did. What an amazing way for the kids to still feel connected to her!
Erin
Elementary Adventure
So very special! I am sorry you lost your best friend 🙁 What a nice way to celebrate your mom. My mom is a cancer survivor, she too plans to have her ashes spread in her favorite place someday.
Oh Vicky! I am sooo sorry your mom is gone from your sight now. Isn't it such a sweet expectation, knowing one day you'll go to where she is and be there with her forever? Your post has me bawling!
My parents had an "almost fatal" accident approximately 2 blocks from their house (we live in a rural area and you can see the accident site from their house and my yard) in October 2001. I thank God every day for the 10+ years since that He has allowed me to have with them. I honestly thought my mom was dying that night, and begged God not to let her suffer because she was in such pain. I wanted them to get her some pain meds or Him to take her away from that pain, even though I still pray that He will just beam us all up together! 🙂 I cannot imagine your pain and the empty spot from your mom's walking into Heaven.
My dad will be 72 on Monday and had heart bypass surgery(5 bypasses) May 15, 2007 and aneurysm repair 10 weeks later July 27, 2007. Surprisingly, he is still in relatively good health. He works out three times weekly at the local hospital's cardiac workout spot. He walks out to my front porch and bangs on it every evening to start my dogs barking so I'll come to the door to watch the Purple Martins with him. Oh, how precious are the times I spend with both my parents!
God bless you with warmest memories as you await the day you see Jesus Face to face, and see your mom again!
✿.｡.☆♪♫*❤*Melly*❤*☆.｡.✿
Stapler’s Strategies for Sizzlin' Second Graders!
What a wonderful tradition 🙂 Thanks for sharing – following back.
Brie @ BreezyPinkDaisies
Such a neat tradition! Thank you for sharing. Isn't it wonderful when you know your loved one is with the Lord? Makes those losses a little easier to handle.
Crystal
http://teachinglittlemiracles.blogspot.com/
Your post about your relationship with your mother really touched my heart. We have faced this horrible thing called cancer too. It's obvious your children gave you strength and I would guess their love has helped you through this tough time. May God continue to bless you through your children. I'm your newest follower.
-Susan
3rd Grade Grapevine