Goodbye

By , November 23, 2005

Thank you for a lifetime of love and guidance. I would never have made it this far, or done as well, without you. You gave me the raw material to work with, and the drive and vision to use it. I would not be the man I am today without you. Whenever people compliment me on my manners, I always tell them that they should be thanking you. I learned from your example. That and the yardstick you could mysteriously produce from thin air under seemingly any circumstances. If I ever failed to follow the etiquette lessons you provided, or misbehaved in any fashion, then wham! I would get a not-so-gentle reminder from the Yardstick of Etiquette across my backside. But in all seriousness, you taught me how to be a good human being. You always put your children and your family first, but you never took advantage of any other person. I never once knew you to lie to anyone about anything for any reason, nor did I ever know you to fail to keep your word to anyone. You seemed always to do the right thing, and instilled in me a belief in doing likewise.

We became even closer in recent years. When Dad passed away, we leaned on each other. When you needed a date for your 50th high school reunion, you asked me to the dance. When Vernon Bean annihilated Pinky, you were by my side. When Sue disappeared, I turned to you for solace and guidance. I tried to brighten your remaining days and made sure you received the best treatment available. You always made a big deal out of the weekly trips I made to get you to the doctor, but for me they were a joy. I got to know you, and through you my father, so much better in these past two years than I think I did in all the years we had together before them.

Until I grew up and left home, I assumed all families were like ours– always happy. I never realized that so many people had fights with their siblings and/ or parents. That other people sometimes left home, or went to bed angry. I took for granted, and was probably spoiled by, the fact that you and Dad taught all four of us to be moral, honest, caring individuals who love one another, and work to make the world around us a better place first, and for ourselves second.

I miss you already. I’m still continuing your quest to pay that man back for the milkshake. Maybe some day, together we’ll have paid the debt. Goodbye, Mom.

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13 Responses to “Goodbye”

  1. *hugs* Hey Greg…I know we joke around a lot and all that..but you’re a good guy and I care about you…and…yeah, I just want you to know that. If you need anything, give me a call.

  2. stelladoro says:

    hey that sounds like a sad entry. my thoughts are with you; hope you feel better soon

  3. Mochitawny says:

    hey, greg. im sorry to hear about your mom. i only met her once, but she seemed like a lot of fun to be around, and she was filled with stories of you. my prayers are with you.

  4. Peasprout says:

    @Mochitawny, Thanks Tawny. My mom had lots of nice things to say about you. You have been a good friend to me this year, and I really appreciate it.

  5. Peasprout says:

    @stelladoro, Thanks for the kind words. This has been hands down the worst year of my life. But it can only get better, right? :)

  6. I'm a Dork says:

    Hey you! If you need someone to talk to e-mail me up!

  7. I am very sorry to hear about your mother, peasprout. There really isn’t anything anyone can say to make it better, especially a complete stranger who only knows you over the internet, but I just wanted to offer my consolances. This must be a very hard time for you.

  8. She must be very proud of you. =)

  9. Peasprout says:

    @stelladoro, Oh, and also– I noticed that you are reading Kafka on the Shore right now. Haruki Murakami kicks ass. Dance, Dance, Dance was probably THE book that helped me survive my breakup, and The Windup Bird Chronicle is just super good. You should read them both if you have not already.

  10. stelladoro says:

    @Peasprout, hey thanks! i’m still reading the first few chapters of Kafka on the Shore… but will definitely check the others out. Wondering if i should challenge myself and try to read them in Japanese? Are you feeling better?

  11. Peasprout says:

    @stelladoro, Better is a relative term.

  12. Not much I can say, but I have prayed for you and will continue to do so. God will fill you to overflowing, in time.

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