A Tribute To Our Moms!

We decided to write a special tribute to our mothers for this special day! Who knew when our moms gave birth to us many years ago (and we do mean many) that a baby girl born to Ferne Ellyn George Vise in Texas, and a baby girl born to Eleanor Laughlin Meyer in Missouri would someday be the closest of friends? We decided that our moms would have liked each other very much. They both had a wonderful sense of humor, a flair for sewing, a deep spiritual life, and a love for family.

Ellen's mother was born on July 28, 1922. She passed away on Novemeber 18, 1985. Sharon's mom was born on December 16, 1921. She passed away on September 3, 2006.

This is the first Mother's Day that Sharon is unable to call or to send flowers to Momma. It has been a hard year of firsts, but we think Mother's Day puts all of our moms in the forefront of our hearts and minds. This first picture is one of Sharon's mom just before she became ill. The one right below shows both parents of Ellen. Both ladies were beautiful, and lived in times when there were special traditions celebrated each week. Sometimes we wonder if they have met each other in Heaven. If so, we know that they would be laughing and having good times.

Sharon's mother was a mother even as a child. She took care of her two younger brothers after her own mother passed away. Always, she had cared for someone else. Sharon and her sister, Janice, were fortunate to be born to someone like her. She is still loved by those she left behind. That includes three granddaughters, and two great grandsons. Even though she is gone, she lives on in all of our hearts.

Ellen's mom died at the young age of 63. She was diagnosed with Lou Gehrig's Disease (ALS) and would often joke that when she saw him in Heaven she was going to give him a piece of her mind! She loved baseball like any other respectable St. Louis native, but she thought it quite undignified to have such a terrible disease named for a great baseball player.

Ellen's sister, Carol, had two sons. Several years went by and her mom thought that would be the extent of her grandchildren. Ellen was in the Convent, so there was no hope on that front! Then 1978 rolled around. Carol had another son, Ellen left the Convent, got married, had Nichole in 1979 ..... then Carol had Christine in 1980, and in 1981, here came Joe!! So, in a matter of two and a half years, she went from having two grandsons to having four PLUS two granddaughters. She took great pride in all of them.

Sharon's mom "adopted" Ellen. It doesn't matter how old we get; to have a "mom" in your life is a treasure. Ferne was that special person to Ellen. When she was in the hospital, she would tell people that she had three daughters . . .... two she gave birth to and the blond, she adopted! Ellen was only 36 when her mom passed away. There are still days when she is missed. We thank God for Ferne, who was always there to step in when a hug was needed.

Here's to our moms! Even though they did not know each other here on this Earth, perhaps they are celebrating Mother's Day in Heaven. If you are lucky enough to still have your mom, be sure to call her, give her a hug if you can, or lift a glass in her honor! Our moms live on in the sparkle of our eyes, laughing gently, loving wisely. Moms are the place we came from, our first home, our first love. May you have a very Happy Mother's Day!