MOMS SPEECH

Lou Gehrigs disease SUCKS! If you have no idea what it is please research it!

The words to explain my mother through the years would be strong, beautiful and most of all loving. No matter where we would go she could always have a smile on her face. She pushed our family to be respectful loving and generous throughout the years. They say women are supposed to be two things: classy and fabulous. Mom always made sure she looked her best and the right jewelry to flow with the outfit. Over the past few months, people have mentioned I dress like an old woman and a mirror image of my mom.

During the years before she got sick she was determined to take us on adventures. She would always tell dad “OK take off work” Then she would buy the tickets and make reservations. Some unforgettable times would be when the three of us drove to Lawrence, KS just to welcome Tatum into the world. Mom was defiantly not use to the hospital, but she was determined to get into the parking garage. She ended up hopping the curb and drove right on through Janelle then noticed that the top was scraping the car. Although, we promised not to tell because the car was BRAND NEW! When Christie was in second grade, she said she busted her chin open and blood was gushing everywhere, mom was so worried that she left the house with NO SHOES so she had to wear the hospital booties. Another funny story was at the lake again the four of us plus two of our friends out on the lake. Dad let us tube on the back and well he didn’t notice a big wave coming which went over the boat and started flooding and my mothers first reaction was to dump out the Pringles and get all the water out. She always wanted to protect our family against everything. Our dad sometimes wishes he would have traveled with her more and she was the direction map for him. All of us know that she is his guide through life and a beautiful angel in heaven.

I never thought I would be in this situation 20 years old, mother, and losing my mother. Our family has dedicated the past year and a half catering to her needs and wants. Our mother’s wants always consisted of McDonalds, fish filet, icees, ice cream and the most famous panera bread. This disease took over our mother’s famous attributes: she loved to talk, laugh, teach, learn shop and had the most flowing handwriting. She eventually got to the point where she could not walk and we would have to put her in the chair. Our family will never forget the showers outside with Robin and Terra (hospice nurses). Mom enjoyed the outdoors especially our last trip to Florida to visit her sister Merilee and the family. Ever since mom decided on the hospital bed I would ask dad “Do you think you and Jay can wheel the bed out to the pool?” Mom’s big brown eyes would start at us like “YES PLEASE”. I remember my sister and I getting dressed up for different events and she would always do her hand in the shape of a C, which was CUTE. Our mom always took us shopping so it had to look good of course. Even though she could not talk, I could always tell what she was thinking by the look in her big brown eyes.

I sometimes wonder which part of my mom I should remember: The one who satisfied our needs or the one who fought for her life. My dad said I will always remember both although, I hope one day I can be as strong as she can. The last few months helped us become closer with God and the Angels. The most significant days would be when she pointed around the room and open her hand up wide as if she was holding hands with someone. I asked “hey momma is someone in the room that I can not see” she gave me a thumbs up which meant “YES” I would ask her different names of people who had passed and I asked about her Father and she said “YES” and pointed to exactly where he was in the room. I did ask others and she would tell me “NO”. Our family knew what NO MEANT! I asked do you know when the angels are taking you home she had the big brown eyes like “YES”. During that time I asked those questions she would always point with two fingers but we all thought it was a different channel or to move her around in the bed. It went on for a few weeks towards the end. As her time got closer, I thought about it and sure enough, she knew she was leaving on 4-22 at exactly 12 PM. God and the angels were watching over her this whole time and waited for her although, she held out until we were ready. Picking out flowers my father noticed a plaque that read 2- live 2- teach = 4 forever. The two resemblance all runs together and it means have faith and everything will be ok. My last words to my mother were “I’ll love you forever and always my mommy you’ll be my beautiful angel”. There will be days she will be missed, but the pain is gone and no more suffering.

ALS

Kids of ALS- a group of people who have had parents diagnosed or passed away from ALS

Alpha 1- a new gene to diagnos ALS.

I can not believe it has been almost a YEAR.. Our family has grown so much...