Circle of Life - A Tribute to My Mother

One year ago today my mother passed away. The above photographs represent my mother in my life from beginning to end. The first photo was taken the day I was born and the second photo was taken as my mother was being laid to rest by her grandsons.

This is what my sister wrote about my mother last year and I could not have said it any better. “She was a homemaker, devoted wife, loving mother, and a true friend. Throughout her 80 years of her life she touched many lives in her caring, sharing, loving ways. She gave much of herself to others and never asked for anything in return. She was called ‘Mama’ by almost everyone who knew her, which speaks of her nurturing ways. Her passion and calling while on this earth was her family, who didn't necessarily need to be related in any way.”

During the service for my mother the song ‘Acony Bell’ by Gillian Welch and David Rawlins was played. I chose this song because I believed my mother was in many ways like the acony bell flower and thought the people who knew her would agree.

Acony Bell

The fairest bloom the mountain know
Is not an iris or a wild rose
But the little flower of which i'll tell
Known as the brave acony bell

Just a simple flower so small and plain
With a pearly hue and a little known name
But the yellow birds sing when they see it bloom
For they know that spring is coming soon

Well it makes its home mid the rocks and the rills
Where the snow lies deep on the windy hills
And it tells the world "why should i wait
This ice and snow is gonna melt away"

And so i'll sing that yellow bird's song
For the troubled times will soon be gone

r.m.