EULOGY FROM A DEAR MOTHER
Posted in About Joyce Pierce, JoyceSense, Eulogy on Apr 1st, 2007
I have heard of parents who have lost a child and never recovered. Having now been through this most life-shattering of events, I can fully understand how this could happen. That is why I’m so grateful that my precious child, to whom I gave life, gave that same gift back to me. Casey was a typical tomboy, climbing trees and splashing in puddles. He always had such spirit - and his share of bumps, bruises and scrapes.
Later in life, he was diagnosed with diabetes, Freidrich’s Ataxia, cardiomyopathy and scoliosis. Our motto “We will fight this!” Looking into his eyes, I saw more determination than fear - and I felt calmer myself. Every day was a new storm and through each storm we became stronger. I knew our relationship was a special gift from God to make me a stronger individual. Oh, there were times we’d sob, “Why me?” “Tell me what I did and I won’t do it again!” I would gather all my strength as I took him into my arms. And there were many times I wasn’t so strong. As Casey grew weaker and sicker, I would ask “Why now God?” Why didn’t you take him sooner or why did you give us hope? But now I realize, he would not have able to show his love of animals, gone to school and graduated, swim and touch so many peoples life. These happy years were a gift.
One afternoon, I saw he was having trouble breathing. Suddenly, with an energy he hadn’t had in weeks, he put his arms around me, I knew he was telling me it was time for us to say good-bye. And although I would never, ever be ready, I had to. “Let go, honey,” I said, and started singing a lullaby I sang when he was a baby. “You are my sunshine, my only sunshine . . . ” His eyes fluttered, and he was gone. For days, I know I will move around the house, staring at his room, his favorite stuffed animals, Max and Lizzy (dog and lizard) will all be constant reminders and then I have to remember a note he told me (since he could not write) that went like this:
“Mom you cried with me and for me. I will be afraid to leave you. I wasn’t always asleep when you thought I was. I heard your prayers. What a wonderful mother you have been. I’all always be with you - inside. I’ll see you again, and we will still stay close until then. Mom, being sick taught me how to live. So don’t mourn me. BE HAPPY!”
So during my rough moments, I have to remember this note and look up in to the sky, full of puffy clouds, and think, that one looks like a turtle, or a bird, or a dog, or a cat, etc. and think how beautiful it is up there. . . and how much fun he will have now being pain free for the first time in his life. This makes my tears evaporate and despite myself, I will smile
!
LOVE TO ALL, JOYCE
