Mom
My mom, Pat Keehan, was one of the sweetest people you will ever meet. Not only is that my biased opinion, but countless people relay that same sentiment, even now years after her passing and countless times when she was alive.
One of my grammar school classmates, Cathy Cormier (now Hughes), and her husband bought my parents’ home after my dad passed away. My mom then moved to an assisted living facility and passed away in 2017.
About 6 months after mom died, Cathy sent me an email relaying a story of how a neighbor who was new to the area commented on how beautiful HER flowering red tree on the west side of the house is. Cathy told her (and me), “It’s not my tree, it’s PAT KEEHAN’S tree.”
As I read Cathy’s tender story, from seemingly out of the blue, I began to cry and then weep, almost uncontrollably. Once again, the power of my reaction challenged me to ask myself if the tears were the result of unresolved issues with my mom. Once again, the answer was “no.”
I consider myself fortunate to be as truthful as I can about unresolved issues with my mom. I am aware that you may not be as fortunate.
My mom was a cancer survivor between 1972, when she was first diagnosed, and her death. Her memory slipped from her in the last chapter of her life, but I recognized what Kim Barrio, one of our parishioners, said about her mom who mom suffered with severe Alzheimer’s. She said, “My mom didn’t know who I was, but she knew she loved me.”
Your thoughts and perhaps memories of your mother may continue to surprise you, as they do me. Some small event, encounter or experience may trigger a flood of emotion, fun and sad, grateful and tender. I count them as tears of appreciation and fond memories. I now let the tears be expressions of gratitude for the blessings that my mom was in my life and in so many others’.
Once again, you may not have such positive recollections or ongoing dynamics with your mother, but I simply invite you to stay with these surprising reminders. Keep reflecting on why they are so powerful and perhaps even use them as vehicles to share with your moms today, a day that honors mothers, or to let go of the unresolved as well as cherish the tender.
A Picture of Motherhood
In his role on our maintenance staff, Jay Kleeman recently coaxed a mother duck and her ducklings out of our courtyard into the world outside of the courtyard. Jay is also a talented photographer and he took the picture below as the parade of mom and ducklings went forth. I share this photo as an image of motherhood. To all of our moms, you probably don’t realize all of the ducklings that follow you – your own and others. Thanks for leading us ducklings!
INSERT DUCKLING PICTURE HERE
Coming Up
• This Tuesday May 16, May Crowning with Academy students at 9:00am Mass
• Eucharistic Minister training session on May 23 at 7:00-9:00pm in the church. Have you ever considered becoming a Eucharistic Minister? Use your time during the Mass to participate in helping us distribute the greatest gift we receive each weekend – the Holy Eucharist. RSVP to our Liturgy Office if you wish to attend.
• Holy Family Catholic Academy 8th grade graduation, Friday evening, May 26
Pentecost
• Sunday, May 28 – Pentecost Sunday Mass is at 10am. There will be no 9:00am or 11:00am. Masses May 27/28 weekend will be 5:00pm on Saturday, May 27 and 7:30 and 10:00am on Sunday, May 28. A celebration in the courtyard will follow the 10:00am Mass. Join us!