Karen Mayberry

Mom How does one begin to tell their mother goodbye? How do you put into words how much she means to you? How could there possibly be enough words in the English dictionary to describe how wonderful a wife, mother, Grammy, sister ,aunt and friend she was? The simplest of answers is -you can’t!!! My mom was and is my everything. I border on obsession with my mom. I have friends who have asked me how I could possibly spend that much time with my parents, because they find it a chore to put up with theirs….I always respond with “ I enjoy hanging out with my parents, that’s what is fun to me. “ I’m actually certain that my parents would have gotten their fill of me before I could ever get my fill of them ( let’s face it I can be a lot)..I wanted to do everything with them .. even if it was simply going for a ride to the senior center in Senecaville for a meal, it didn’t matter …I wanted to tag along. I’m so glad that I had this obsession with my momma, but that is what makes this even harder, because I’m LOST without her. The simplest of things trigger the devastation that continues to take root and manifest in my soul. I cant do anything without thinking of her… nor do I want to… I don’t want there to ever be a day that I or my children don’t think and talk about her. She is the best mother and my best friend, and I will thank God everyday for making her my mom. My kids are so blessed to have her as their Gram, she was, is and forever will be the best Gram any of them could ever ask for! She loved them ALL unconditionally and without measure. She spoiled them rotten and loved every minute of it. So much so that she used to say, don’t tell your dad what I just spent.. but then she would come home from our long shopping trip and he would say “so what did you buy “ and her excitement would get the best of her and she would show him… he never was mad about it- I think it’s because he knew it made her happy to “shop till she dropped “ but also to spoil us all rotten. I’m devastated that we are being robbed of her light, that her grandkids are going to have a void in their lives that can’t be filled by anyone else-because no one can EVER compare to her. It leaves an ache in my soul thinking that Zellie and Oakley are missing out on all the years with her the rest of us got- but even if we had her forever-forever wouldn’t be long enough! Caden,Jax, Zellie and Oakley were her world and I pray to God they never forget that. Everyone who had the privilege to know her knew that My mom was a kind and gentle soul.. she never had a bad thing or WORD to say about anyone ( except that one time at Disney… if you know you know)..but besides that the harshest thing that most people ever heard her say was oh my garsh! Even after 35 years of teaching, most would’ve turned cold and mean.. but not her- she remains at the top of most kid’s favorite teacher lists… and that says a lot! In those 35 years of teaching she made a lot of friends, and had a lot of laughs. Especially with locker number 1…… for those of you who don’t know about locker number 1, let’s just call it the equivalence of a junk drawer, and we’ll leave it at that. My mom found joy In the little things. Sitting on her swing at Seneca, reading a good book, shopping …especially at Gabe’s and Big Lots ( who would ever guess that an all day shopping trip could consist of just two stores…well let me tell you, Danielle and I can vouch -it can be done). She loved playing with and spoiling her grandkids, watching Caden play ball, playing board games with Jax, watching Zellie play dress up , making Oakley laugh, camping, going for rides In The golf cart , scary movies, yardsales , family game nights, Christmas and watching reality TV with my Dad….It’s a toss up between Big Brother and Survivor as to which one was her favorite. She loved it when my brother would rub her feet, but she hated to have her toenails touched ( josh used to touch them every once in awhile just to see her squirm)! Speaking of Josh…. I’m pretty sure he gave her a run for her money when he came along…I’ll never forget the day she chased him around the kitchen table trying to spank him… after several laps she yelled “when I catch you I’m going to spank you harder” and josh yelled back as he ran out the front door “ you have to catch me first”… and out the front door she went in hot pursuit! Speaking of hot pursuit…. Do you know that my dad chased her forever before she finally ran out of excuses to get rid of him and decided to give him a chance? She used to say he would walk her home and she would run inside and tell him she was late to watch her soaps . I’m so glad my dad is stubborn and didn’t give up -because 52 years of marriage says alot! She is my dads everything and clear to her dying days still referred to him as her Sweetheart! My mom is the toughest person I know… I’m in awe of her strength everytime I think of her. She fought hard 12 years ago… and she fought hard this time. She endured more than most could ever dream of and she faced it head on with faith in the Lord. Her cup was full even in the end, and I pray to God that I can be even half the mother she was. Mom, thank you for all of your sacrifices…thank you for your love, and support…thank you for being my best friend, thank you for loving your grandkids with every fiber in your soul…. Thank you for making every holiday special. We love you more than words can ever express….and there is no one who could ever compare or take your place. I pray that someday when I exit this train of life, that you are the first person I see on the other side.. but until then, you keep that piece of my soul that went with you safe… and just know the ache I feel from missing you is felt deep in my bones. I’ll love you forever and always momma,