I am really hoping more people will share stories and memories of Anita with my family. Everything I have received so far is amazing. This is one I got from one of her friends in our neighborhood.
I’ve been trying to gather my thoughts and find the right words to say about Anita. When I think of her I’m reminded of her smile and her laugh. She had a way of laughing that made her eyes twinkle. Anita was so kind and patient with me. It’s no secret that I talk a lot, but she never seemed tired of my endless talking. Whether it was on the soccer field or the playground (one of the last times we spoke) she’d listen often telling me that I make her laugh. I can hear her now saying, “you rock.” That was the Anita I remember, always positive, always encouraging, always laughing.
We would often discuss how she didn’t do the “mom thing” and more times than one she would tell me that she wasn’t like me- doing the mom stuff. She would laugh and tell me that I get it, I understood her “not doing the mom thing.” One time when you brought cookies to soccer I asked her if she made them, she gave gave me this crazy look and said, ” I don’t do that – that’s Greg.” I laughed so hard and said “ok”. What she didn’t know was that I thought she was an amazing mom. She was so patient with the kids (something I’m not)…. speaking to them with such love where I’d be fussing and complaining at my kids. When Ben or Julia did something wrong she would simply call their name, give them a look, tell them to stop and they would stop. How did she do that, I would often think. How did she keep her cool, her composure??? How did she manage to call her child “love” while reprimanding him/her??? I’m still trying to figure that out. By the way I loved to hear Anita call you and the kids “love” – “hi love” I would often hear her say. She said it with such love and sincereity, it always touched me.
Anita said she didn’t do the mom thing… she didn’t give herself enough credit. If she were here today I’d tell her that she did the “mom thing.” Anita may not have been a traditional June Cleaver, but she had a mothers love and that’s something that can’t be faked or replaced. As mothers we shared the same concerns and challenges that face our children. We talked about our hopes and dreams of a bright and positive future for them. We spoke of our fears of “losing them” once they start middle school – when we would no longer be the center of their world. That’s the mom thing, the hopes and the dreams for our children. It’s not making cookies or doing crafts, but our guidance and discipline. The encouagement, patience, endless prayers, and most importantly our love. Anita embodied all of those qualities. The “mom thing” is about the bond that we share with our children and judging by her love and devotion to Ben, Julia, and Penny I can say with confidence that she did the “mom thing!” God Bless You!
