Happy Birthday Mom & Memories of Four Amazing Women

Today is my moms birthday and today is just 3 days since my great aunt passed away. They grew up together, closer than most sisters though in reality they were aunt and niece.

You see, my great-grandmother and my grandmother were pregnant at the same time. My mom and aunt ended up being born just 3 months apart and they were raised like sisters. They shared a life-time of memories together and were eager to share. Over the years I listened fascinated when they talked together or with others about their lives. I listened intently as my grandmother told me about her life growing up, about my great-grandmother and about all our family in Tennessee. My great-grandmother wasn’t as talkative but when she spoke her words were like jewels to be gathered and cherished. I listened greedily gathering each one. Family history held me tight whenever any of them spoke.

After my great-grandmothers death, my grandmothers death and then my mothers death I found comfort speaking with my aunt. Our conversations would last for hours and she would fill my head with family history and stories from her life many times repeating ones she’d already shared. I never cared how many times she’d repeat a story. I enjoyed each time with renewed interest.

My aunt and my mom were so much alike both in speech and mannerisms whenever I listened to my aunt it always made me feel like my mom was right there waiting to jump in to tell her side of the story. I would imagine my grandmother and great grandmother working in the kitchen shaking their heads at the silliness of the conversation but sharing loving half smiles on their faces.

Now they are all gone. The four amazing women who filled my life with unconditional support and love. They made me who I am today and I am lonely beyond words. Without their voices, shared memories, laughter, and even tears my heart hurts. Without them here, I stand in the roar of the world around me hearing only the silence and it is deafening.