Saturday, May 7, 2011

Letters From My Heart: {To My Beautiful Mama & Gram}

Happy Mother's Day to all of you! This is my Mother's Day Tribute to the two best Moms in the world! Here is my story in letters straight from my heart...




My Mom is the little girl in my Screaming Meme header...Her name was Betty Sue...She was a wife, a mother of 6, an artist, dreamer, an entrepreneur and she hung the moon in my eyes. I was the last of 6 children...it was a very hard time in their life. My father was very ill and my mother had no choice but to do what was best. I was raised by her mother and father, my grandparents...I was blessed to still be a part of their lives...through visits and letters...and a bond that could never break.



Letters From My Heart...

Dearest Mama,

I miss you, Mama...and still have the strong need to know you better, hold you closer and make you proud of me...I feel your presence the most when I create something...I love that we were both artists and dreamers...that is "my" connection... to you...I miss your beautiful laugh and how you were so fun to be around...You were truly magical to me...




She was and still is the most beautiful woman in the world to me...I would sit and just stare at her... hoping that I would be that beautiful when I grew up!


You made me feel like I was a gift, out of the sorrow of having to let me go...It took me a long time to see the big picture and understand that I was where I was suppose to be...Gram and Papa were your gift to me...I was able to do and learn so many things I would not of, had I stayed with you (though that hurts to even say)...they were the rocks I needed to thrive and be the person I am today...



There was always something magical about being in her arms...the world just melted away...and it was only her and I! A mother's bond is deep...even when you are separated...I can still remember how good that felt!


Papa was my hero and best friend... a great role model for a little girl to have...Gram was/is my best friend and secret keeper...She always let me be me, with a gentle push in the right direction...though, deep in the corners of my heart...it still hurts that I didn't know you like my siblings...I know one day we will have our chance...until then...Mama, I love you more than I could ever express...I am proud to be Betty Sue's daughter and your princess...thank you for giving me a chance to become who I was meant to be...and thank you for the memories we shared together...I hold them close to my heart...



My Mom passed away suddenly, when I was 18 years old. I still miss her like it happened yesterday. There is not a day that goes by that I do not think about her, talk to her and try and emulate her big heart and free spirit!


XoXo, Your "Princess"



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Me and my Gram...the first day of school. This is my favorite photo of us together. I was skipping through most of my childhood...a truly happy little girl. She is a wonderful woman, who gave me a life that most could only dream of...


Dearest Gram,


Gram, thank you....thank you for being my bestest friend and partner in crime...for guiding me to who I am today. Thank you for the long talks and always being on the other end of the phone...when I needed you most.


Thank you for letting me ...be "me"...That little girl who thought she could truly be anything that she put her mind to...and for letting me pretend to be Little Orphan Annie...letting my wear my wig and dresses everywhere (even in the grocery stores...lol)...You watched all of my talent shows and cheered me on (without laughing in front of me)...making me believe I could really sing and dance...



I truly believed I could be Little Orphan Annie...Sadly, I walked around like this...with a lot of pride! ;) I even drew freckles on my cheeks with my Gram's brown eye liner...It was a great time in my life!


You and Papa let my imagination go wherever it wanted to and supported me and my dreams...even when you knew they may never come true...you never let me know that...



This my my Gram and my hero, Papa...They were truly in love and made everyday a happy one...They loved me to their core and they made sure I knew it! I am truly grateful for that love and I make sure to pass that love on to my loved ones...


Because of you...I "still" believe I can do anything I put my mind to...You believed in me...you supported me and you built me up. And never let me fall...You stood by me when no one else had the courage to...and when I made mistakes...you and Papa were the only ones standing there beside me...


Me and my cousin, Missy having a sleepover...notice the cut off feet on my pj's...I hated the feeling of those things on my little feet! Thank you, Gram for always making me more comfortable! She hated having to cut those off, though! lol


You are more than my best friend...Your my mother, my cheer leader, my teacher, my counselor and my secret keeper....you were everything I needed to be the women I am today!



Me and Gram in Annapolis, Md. She always made sure I was dressed up. I still love to dress up to this day!


So, thank you from the bottom of my heart...I know that I will never know a greater friend than I had in you...So, all I can do is pay it forward...emulate and mirror who you were to those closest to me...In that I know you will never die...only live on through me...


XoXo, Your Special Angel




My childhood home...It was a dreamy home filled with a lot of love and laughter...And memories that will last for a life time!

12 comments:

Kathy's Red Door Welcome said...

What a beautiful tribute to both you mother and you gramma. I lost my own mother coming up on four years ago this month, so I can really relate to your loss. I hope you memories will comfort you this Mother's Day. Have a great weekend!

Unknown said...

You made me cry.... You are an amazing person to open up like this. I am a mother of two, but my mom passed a few months before my oldest was born 17 years ago. It' still hard for me to celebrate without her.

Kim @ Savvy Southern Style said...

What a sweet tribute. That had to be very hard to lose your mom so young.

southerninspiration said...

What a precious story...and how fortunate you were to have your grandparents. thanks for coming by my blog...we really should meet up sometime!

Suzanne

Miss Mustard Seed said...

Your mom sounds amazing. I love the picture of you snuggled on her lap. So special. Love & hugs to you on mother's day.

Rhoda @ Southern Hospitality said...

Hi, Meme, thanks for stopping by & always being so positive. I'm so sorry you lost your mom so young. I'm extremely grateful to still have a home to go back to. Blessed indeed!

Bring Pretty Back said...

What beautiful memories you have of them. SO heartfelt and sweet.
Hugs to you.
Kristin

Sherry @ No Minimalist Here said...

What a beautiful story about your mom and grandparents! My mother and grandparents are gone now and I can't begin to tell you how this post has touched my heart.
xo,
Sherry

laxsupermom said...

What a beautiful post! How incredibly difficult to lose your mom so young. It's so wonderful that your Gram was there for you. Thanks for sharing. Hope you had a wonderful Mother's Day.

Christy @ MCH PHOTOGRAPHY said...

Beautiful post! Sorry I missed your giveaway! But thanks for visiting my blog. Yours is so great.

1 Funky Woman said...

This was such a wonderful post! I'm crying here though! What a beautiful story. Those women sound like wonderful people to have had in your life. How lucky you are!

I lost my mother when I was 30 and that was the hardest thing, I can't imagine losing her at 18. You are a very strong women!

Megan

Tricia said...

Such a beautiful post that brought tears to my eyes! You are a strong woman to have the perspective you do and for sharing this with us.
Big hugs to you!!
T