MY REAL LIFE FAIRY GODMOTHER

Somehow, it is in the darkest moments of life that we feel most alive and loved by our family and friends. It is a feeling of life at it's fullest...despite the pain.

Although, I live a Jewish lifestyle today, I was actually raised in a Catholic household.  My mother was a devout Catholic.  Consequently, I was baptized.  My parents chose amazing godparents for me, especially my godmother.  She was always there for me, every birthday, graduation, holidays, every single milestone in my life.  There was never one birthday or one X-mas that I didn't get a call from her.  And presents, Oh boy! Ever since I was a little kid, she always always got me birthday presents, X-mas presents, Easter presents, "Godchild Day" presents, you name it.

But my love for her was not about the presents or the happy phone calls.  It was about the unselfish love she demonstrated to me and all those she loved.  She was an amazing mother,wife, sister, aunt, grandmother, friend and happy world-traveler. She always had a happy demeanor and a beautiful smile on her face, just like my mother. 

Today, it is with a heavy heart that I say goodbye to the most glamorous woman I have ever known.

She was an integral part of my life from day one.  She was my real-life fairy godmother.  

It is always hard to say "goodbye" to someone you love but even harder when someone has been a constant in your life. From experience I can tell you that it is not the moment of death that is difficult, it is when you wake up in the morning and realize it is not a dream.  It is when you have a birthday, or when it's Mother's Day, or when you have great news and you want to share it.  Those are the tough moments.

Thankfully, we have many wonderful memories that can make us smile.  That is what we should hold onto, the memories that make us smile, the joys shared in this temporary life.  Those of us who have faith, hold onto the hope that someday we will see our loved ones again, whether you call it heaven or a different dimension,  it is all we can do for now.  I pray Neida  finds my mom up in the ultimate "Big H."  I know they would make each other so happy and I know they will light up the heavens with those big beautiful smiles.

Today, one more beautiful angel in Heaven. May her soul rest in peace. I love you Madrina.

WHEN GOD CREATED MOTHERS

“When God Created Mothers"

When the Good Lord was creating mothers, He was into His sixth day of "overtime" when the angel appeared and said. "You're doing a lot of fiddling around on this one."

And God said, "Have you read the specs on this order?" She has to be completely washable, but not plastic. Have 180 moveable parts...all replaceable. Run on black coffee and leftovers. Have a lap that disappears when she stands up. A kiss that can cure anything from a broken leg to a disappointed love affair. And six pairs of hands."

The angel shook her head slowly and said. "Six pairs of hands.... no way."

It's not the hands that are causing me problems," God remarked, "it's the three pairs of eyes that mothers have to have."

That's on the standard model?" asked the angel. God nodded.

One pair that sees through closed doors when she asks, 'What are you kids doing in there?' when she already knows. Another here in the back of her head that sees what she shouldn't but what she has to know, and of course the ones here in front that can look at a child when he goofs up and say. 'I understand and I love you' without so much as uttering a word."

God," said the angel touching his sleeve gently, "Get some rest tomorrow...."

I can't," said God, "I'm so close to creating something so close to myself. Already I have one who heals herself when she is sick...can feed a family of six on one pound of hamburger...and can get a nine year old to stand under a shower."

The angel circled the model of a mother very slowly. "It's too soft," she sighed.

But tough!" said God excitedly. "You can imagine what this mother can do or endure."

Can it think?"

Not only can it think, but it can reason and compromise," said the Creator.

Finally, the angel bent over and ran her finger across the cheek.

There's a leak," she pronounced. "I told You that You were trying to put too much into this model."

It's not a leak," said the Lord, "It's a tear."

What's it for?"

It's for joy, sadness, disappointment, pain, loneliness, and pride."

You are a genius, " said the angel.

Somberly, God said, "I didn't put it there.”
― Erma Bombeck, When God Created Mothers