In my dressing room hangs a poster called "Life's Little Instructions." I have it in my line of sight so it easily grabs my attention. The instructions say "Be the first to say hello" and "Treat everyone the way you wish to be treated" and other things like that. The last instruction says "Call Your Mother." Today, this particular instruction struck me as the most important one.
My mom passed away just a few short weeks ago. I cherish the last phone call we had the week prior. It was one of the longer calls we'd had in a while. I read to her. She listened. And she offered insight to questions I had. She explained to me what would be most helpful to people as I discover ways to be of service in my work, writing and teaching. We talked about God. How best to ask for God's guidance and how to share this with others. She said to always keep things positive. Negativity, she said, helps no one and will drive them away.
The massive stroke left my mom, such a wise soul, unable to talk. As she lay dying, I stood at her bedside. I talked. She still listened.
Yesterday, walking along the lake, I called out to my mom—asking her how to hold on to what she's given me. How to keep her wisdom alive inside me. How do I know you are with me, I asked. How do I keep you with me, always? As I approached a bench I noticed a small piece of paper on the ground. Before sitting, I picked it up. Unfolding it, a warmth filled my heart. The words brought a soft salty sting to my eyes. Filled with a sweet ache, her essence embraced me as I read, "I still call out for you sometimes."
Even though my mom is no longer with me in physical form, I still call to her. She responds, she still listens, she calls back.
A mother is never far away. Even if she's on the other side, call to her. No longer held back by the limitations of being human, her ability to talk to you, to love you, is amplified. Call out to her. Be still. Now listen.
Pictured above with my daughter and me is my mom ...the day she "gave me away" to my sweet husband twelve years ago on September 23, 2000.
