Eulogy - Larry
The truth is, I feel like I lost my mom years ago to this horrible disease of Alzheimer’s. This is like the period at the end of a sentence.
My mother was a wonderful woman in so many ways. She was a loving, dedicated wife; she was a loyal friend; she was a great mom and loving grandma; and my Aunt Barbara told me she was the “the best sister”.
She never put herself first – always taking a back seat to my dad’s, and Marla’s and my needs.
But she wasn’t meek or unassertive. When she felt strongly about something, she would let her feelings known, not worried about what others might think.
She was really the glue of our family. She was a smart woman who learned over the years how to handle my father – which was no easy task. My father was stubborn and could sometimes be gruff, but he adored my mom, and she knew it. As I got older, I understood her more, and grew to admire her.
I say that because I know that there were many times that I took her for granted.
It never occurred to me back then how special she was, much to my shame. Because she was always there. She was like the sunrise – you knew every day that she’d be there – getting us ready for school, having dinner prepared, making sure we did well in school, trolling us to find out how we were doing. She wouldn’t always accept “fine” or “OK”. Kids, right?
She’d dig deeper because she truly cared about us and our well-being. If I liked a girl, she was all in. If I broke up with a girl, she hurt for me.
And when I brought Chris and Jeffrery into her life, she welcomed them with open arms – no drama, just total support.
So yes, I grew up kind of assuming that all moms were like that, and took her for granted. The fact is few moms were like her, and I thank G-d that I had her as my mom.
After my dad passed – which by the way is over 25 years ago – she was able to stay active with her friends, going to plays, going on cruises, playing mahjongg (of course) – able to enjoy life.
Unfortunately, the dementia started and gradually led to the end. She knew Jeff, Nathan, Cori, and Dylan, but never got to see them grow to adulthood.
She met Michelle, but never got to meet Candyce, Lylah, Brett, or Brooklyn.
But now she can follow them from above.
Rest in peace mom. I love you.
