A Tribute

Today was the day we celebrated the life of Mama L.  I was asked to share a few words of my memories.  Here's what I had to say:

What an honour it is to have some of my thoughts and memories of "Mama L" shared with you all.
From the age of 12 I was an almost permanent fixture in the Lundeen house. I would show up whether Sharon, David and Heather were there or not, I even had my own key. Mama knew the struggles in my heart and my home and warmly opened her heart and home up to me. Looking back I’m sure there were times she walked in the door to an extra pair of shoes at the back and thought, "What is this? A hotel?" but if she ever thought that it never came across to me. Oh she made it clear, "if you’re one of my kids, part time or not you will be treated like one. Now go clean the bathroom."
I hope she knew how her unconditional love affected me. I saw that she disciplined but loved her children, which definitely molded my parenting skills. Her marriage, and the love between Mama and Papa, showed me what true love looks like and how wonderful a happy marriage could be. She took me to fancy tea houses and taught me about using the correct utensils, a skill which has come in handy several times as an adult trying to impress business associates. She taught me it was ok to take a break sometimes but with God’s grace and a lot of prayer you get back into the game of life even when you just want to hide in your bed...especially when you want to hide in your bed. She taught me to accept the things I can’t change, change the things I can and always ask God for help deciding between the two. She helped me nurse my first broken heart, and even though the offending boy left much to be desired, I never felt her judgement. When I found the perfect boy some years later she was so excited for me. She threw me a beautiful wedding shower and worked almost tirelessly with my mom to make my wedding day perfect. When I was in labour with my first baby she was there, flitting about, so excited. She knew the pain I was in would soon be replaced with enormous love for the gift God was giving me. And plans for a baby shower were underway almost immediately. When my second baby was born with a birth defect she was there right away. Reminding me how precious my baby was, that God doesn’t give us more than we can handle, and praying constantly for my whole family.
I must admit that like many adult children I haven’t seen her as much in recent years as I’d like to. When I went to see her at the hospital a few weeks ago I sat beside her, showing her pictures of the girls and I felt so comfortable, cuddled up against her. One of my comforts is gone, but finally she is comfortable. I imagined her running up to her son and her grand-daughter, who she didn’t get to have time with here on earth, and thinking about how she will spend all eternity with them now. She will see us all again and she will embrace each of us. How can I be sad thinking about that? From now until I see her again I will continue living out the lessons she taught me and always be grateful for my memories of her.