My beloved mother...

I was still shaking my head at the death of Whitney Houston when my beloved mother, Joan Durr Hill, quietly slipped away during the night. We had two services to celebrate her wonderful life, which is a clear reflection of what she meant to us. One was in Newark, New Jersey and then we took her home to Edwin, Alabama. I was surprised to find that I am doing “okay,” because I loved her so much. I think its because I am able to find comfort in knowing that she is at peace, and with God.

When we speak hypothetically about losing a parent it is always a moment explained by despair, and extreme sadness. I don’t feel the despair that I thought that I would. This doesn’t mean that I don’t miss my mother. I loved my mother immensely, and I know that she is smiling down on me, acknowledging the love that we shared as mother, and son.

I gave my mother all of her flowers while she was living, and have no regrets. I loved and respected her everyday. I realize how blessed I am to have had the special relationship that I had with her, and am truly grateful for the length of time that God loaned her to us. The love that I had for her will never be duplicated, and I find peace knowing that she had no doubts about my love, and that I have none about hers.

My reminder to everyone is to pause, and take time out to give flowers to those that you care about, and continuously water them with love, respect, and kindness. This tosses confusion, doubt, and worry out of the window, leaving honesty, love, and gratitude in its place. I am the person that I am partly because of my mother who gave me her all, and expected nothing in return, except my love.

I would like to thank everyone for your kind words. Know that I am doing well, because I know my mother is being taken care of. I don’t have to worry because she was a child of God, and lived like she was. I will miss my mother daily, and might even talk out loud to her from time to time. There is no love like the love a mother has for her son, except for the love a son has for his mother…

I love you Joan Durr Hill. Thank you for your lessons, and your never wavering love.