Dear Mom, {I Miss You}

Dear Mom,

I miss you so much.

I cannot believe that today marks two years that you have been gone from this earth.

My heart cannot believe it.

So many things have changed.  So many things that I could tell you.

But the one thing that stands out most in my mind is…

Your life made a difference in mine.

The Godly example that you set for me to follow in the 38 years that you were my mom is still leading me today.

And the example of faith that you showed in your last months on this earth has touched not only my heart, but many others.

I will never be the same, Mom.

You have set my mind on heavenly things.

You helped to change my perspective on what really matters most in this life, and I am forever grateful.

Mom, as you faced death, you taught us all to look for God’s blessing through the trials we were facing.  You taught us not to be bitter or angry, but to TRUST GOD to take care of us.

I am still amazed at how blessed we all felt during such a difficult season.  And I am amazed even more by all the blessings that God has sent down on our family even since you have passed away.

And then it dawned on me.  Mom… YOU were the BLESSING!

YOU WERE THE BLESSING!!!

Thank you, Mom.

I have a necklace that I got to remind me of you.  I wear it all the time.

 

And a song came out this year called, “Blessings” by Laura Story.

The words are so profound and so true, and I know you would have loved this song.

 

The pain that I have felt since you have been gone has reminded me that THIS IS NOT MY HOME.

 

We visited your grave site today.

We introduce your first great grand child to you, Colt Allen Rogers (named after you).

He’s perfect.  And  you would be so proud of Courtney as a mom.

 

Here is a picture of Dad, your son, and your grandson holding your great grandson.

 

 

Cory, your first grandson, holding Colt, your first great grandson…

 

We all miss you so much!  We talked about how you were “one of a kind”.  Cory misses your Sunday afternoon dinners, and your long late night chats.  I miss your apple pies and our talks on the phone.  Cyndi misses you helping her decorate her house.  Blake feels like he let you down those last years you were living.  But I know the truth Mom…you were always proud of him.  And Mom your prayers were answered.  God has healed Blake’s marriage and family.  I wish you could see how happy he and Ande are together.  God is so good.

And Dad says he misses you every day.

I think you would be proud of us, Mom.  We’ve tried to honor God with our lives.  And we’ve tried to honor you as well.

We’re just following the example you left us.

How good it is to know that a mother’s love never ends.  It never stops giving.  I hear your voice all the time, leading me, guiding me, and encouraging me.

Thank you, Mom!

And Mom, I know you heard the good news in heaven last night.  :)  Adam accepted Jesus as his savior last night!  He is so excited, and I know you are too.

 

I love you, Mom.

I would give anything to hold your hand and hear your sweet voice again.

But until I see you in Heaven again, I will hold you close in my heart.

************************************

To read more about my mom, her life, and her death, click HERE.

 

56 Comments

  1. Your family is so beautiful and precious. What an inspiration to leave a legacy! If you get a chance, listen to “Legacy” by the Christian artist Nichole Nordeman. I sing it at the top of my lungs with desire to leave such a legacy to my son much like your mom has done for your family! Hugs on to you on this difficult day!

  2. Traci, you are simply precious! I love your blog because of your heart. Thank you for sharing your love of our Heavenly Father and your love for your family. And, a big Yeah that Adam accepted Jesus!!! Best decision he will ever make! Toodles, Kathryn

  3. What a beautiful letter. Your Mom sounds like an amazing woman. Thank you for sharing a part of her with us. I’ll be thinking of you and your family today.

  4. oh traci. shedding bucket loads of tears for you here. i lost my mum when i was only 18 – i never got to have an adult relationship with her – but i know she’s looking over me and my family every. single. day.
    this post is so lovely. the generations – just lovely.
    thinking of you and your family today.
    loads of hugz,
    cheryl xox.

  5. How beautiful, I hope I can leave such a legacy for my family. Beautifully written, I’m sure you have touched your mother’s heart in Heaven. God Bless you for sharing.
    Lorrie

  6. Oh my!!! Doing the “ugly crying” while reading this today. My thoughts and prayers go out to your entire family today. Y’all were definitely blessed and still are — I’m sure she is SO PROUD of you all. God Bless!!

    Love from Chattanooga, TN : )

  7. I truly understand how you feel. I miss my dad too. In Nov will be two years since he passed away. Sorry for your lost, but she is in heaven with the Lord. You are bless for having her in your life.

    Blessings,

    Vanessa

  8. Traci, I don’t know you or your mother, but I can honestly say that your accounts of her life and death had an impact on my life. What a wonderful mother!

  9. Hi Traci, what a beautiful tribute to your mom :) I think it is great that you can write about it and express your feelings the way you do! I lost my gram this past summer (she lived with us) , I know it’s not the same as loosing your mom but I believe she is still here watching over us :) Your mom sounds like she was a wonderful MOM :) I bet she is sure proud of you & how you are carrying on .

  10. sending you love and hugs on this day, at this moment. I feel as though I know Wanda. Well, I do. I met her the day I met you and Cyndi, and saw her glow in your eyes.
    Love to you, dear.

  11. *wiping away tears* My mom died 2 years ago. Her birthday was earlier this week. It’s been a rough week for me and my family.

    This letter to your mom is precious and beautiful. What a legacy of blessings she gifted you and your family with! I feel the same way about mine…

    Blessings,
    Anna K.

    PS. Yay for Adam!!

  12. Proverbs 31:28, 29 “Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her: Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all.” Beautiful post!

  13. Dear Tracie,
    What a beautiful letter to your mom. I know too well your sorrow. And yes, this is not our home. I’m sending prayers of comfort to your family tonight and praise for Adam’s decision and the healthy birth of that precious baby. {{Hugs}}.
    ~Kim

  14. Tears are falling too as read this post as it reminded me, As I will never be the same either without My Mom. So, happy for Adam!!! That is wonderful!!!

  15. This was a beautiful letter! I lost my mother 6 1/2 years ago to cancer. It was heart wrenching, but I learned more about myself and life then I ever thought was possible. I was pretty sure I would die from the heartbreak. I feel like my mother is close and knows the details of my and my families life. I feel like your mother knows about Blake and maybe even was there to give some heavenly help. Maybe she’s able to give you help when you need it too.

  16. What a beautiful love letter to your mom. When my son died fourteen years ago, I asked God to let me walk through the journey of grief in a way that would honor Him and show others the truth about His love. It seems that as you’ve grieved the death of your precious mother, you have purposed to glorify Him in the midst of all of the heartbreak. What a testimony to the world! Thank you for being transparent and inspiring. Blessings to you and all of your family.

  17. Traci, what a wonderful tribute to your mother.
    A few nights before my MIL passed, my FIL distributed communion to us all as a family. In true form, my MIL was joking and causing a ruckus. The best gift she gave us was her explanation- “Even though this is hard, this is what I’ve been looking forward to my entire life.” What a gift to witness such faith.
    God bless your family as you miss your mom.
    Kerry at housetalkn.blogspot.com

  18. Oh, Traci!
    Like everyone else, I am sitting here at my computer with tears streaming down my face. Wanda would be so proud of you and her whole family. Your love for her just exudes straight out of your heart and onto the pages. She was amazing and so are you! Missing her so much right now. Give Adam a kiss for me and tell him how happy I am for him! Love you all, Aunt Pat

  19. What a sweet post. I know that somehow, your mom must hear you, and be with you, every step of the way…until you meet again.

  20. Hi Traci,
    I stumbled upon your blog some time ago (via Thrifty Decor Chick) but have never commented until now. I’ve loved your blog for many of your home projects/decorating ideas as this past year we’ve moved into an old “fixer upper” on several acres to be in a better school district for our son. However, I want to tell you how much I’ve related to the posts you’ve written about your Mother, especially this recent one. My Mom died six years ago when my oldest son was a baby. Her rapid decline and passing was very similar to how you’ve described your Mom’s. Although I’m used to her being gone, I still miss her deeply every day. Thank you again for posting this!

  21. {{{Traci}}} What a beautiful tribute to mom. I loved the pictures and the generations of family. So thankful that your brother’s marriage was healed. Praise Jesus! May His loving arms continue to hold and comfort you in times of sorrow or despair and hold you in times of Joy. Thanks for sharing a beautiful tribute.

    Marilyn C.

  22. Dear Traci —

    Yours was one of the first decorating sites I stumbled upon last year. Of course I was taken with your wonderful projects, but I have been touched beyond measure by your love for your dear mom and by the “intentional” way she love you and your siblings. What a legacy and a treasure. Thank you for sharing it with us. I, too, am facing a similar journey with my sweet step-mom as she battles aggressive cancer. Your tributes and stories about your mom have been a sweet balm to me and I think on them often.

  23. Oh, Traci, what a precious tribute to your sweet mama! You made me cry. I can’t imagine how you feel since I haven’t lost my mom yet, but I know I’ll be comforted when I do with your sweet words. Beautiful post, Traci! Hugs, girlfriend. xoxo

  24. Traci, I’m sitting at my computer with tears streaming down my face. Thank you so much for sharing so much on your blog. I love all your ideas on decorating, etc., but most of all I am touched by your writings about your Mom. What a testimony! I had to stop and thank the Lord for you and your family. We are all so blessed that the Lord is using you to bless others through your blog.

  25. My heart aches for you that your mom is no longer with you but my heart REJOICES that she is in that GREAT place, heaven, and you will be together again! Beautiful tribute to your mother!
    Blessings,
    Cindy

  26. Traci, I too am sitting here with tears running down my face as the others are. What a wonderful legacy your mother has left for you and I am sure you will do the same for your children. Blessings on you and your family during this time. God is amazing and I love the song “Blessings”. Thank you for sharing your heart. You have a precious family and I know your mother is watching over you all. I also love the way you glorify the Lord through all of this and you are such a witness for Him. Thank you so much for sharing.

  27. Traci – I love your raw, unashamed emotions that you beautifully expressed. I have big tears running down my face as I read about the love for your mom and your family. God is so good! Look at the amazing heritage for you and your children. I know your heart still aches – and I don’t know if it will ever go away. But He is faithful! And one day you’ll all be together again!

    BIG HUGS!

  28. Wow – what a beautiful letter to your mom! She sounds like she truly was and is a blessing for you and your family.

  29. What a beautiful letter! Your letter has inspired me to try to be that kind of Mom to my lovely 6 year old daughter. God is truly amazing and his blessings are bountiful!

  30. What a lovely letter to your Mom. It brought tears to my eyes and also warmed my heart. Your love for the Lord and your family is so awesome! Thank you for sharing your heart with your readers. (The generation pictures you posted were so precious!) Hugs to you!!! ~Susan~

  31. Traci,
    Thank you for sharing the blessing of your Mom’s legacy here. It’s true Mother’s have an impact in the world and it’s inspiring to this Mom today. May God bless as you grieve your loss while celebrating her life. May God touch your heart with His healing love in a special way this day.

    Yours in Christ,
    Rhonda

  32. beautiful letter!… i’m 22 and i lost my mother last month on 5th. it’s been only 53 days since she left and i still cant believe it. reading your letter made me realize it’s not just I who lost a mom, there are so many people out there who went through the same thing. and most of all “Life goes on”… thank you Tracy for sharing this, you have no idea how much strength you’ve given me. :) your mom will be proud of you, i’ll make mine proud too, i’ll make sure all her dreams come true :). Thank you again.

    Love.

  33. Dear Traci,
    I found this site today and just want to say – you are like me so much in a sense. Like me you truly show you love your mother with all your heart and soul even after she is gone.

    My mom’s would be 71st Birthday is coming up this November 21, 2012. Is during these Thanksgiving family times that it hits even harder, but I plan to visit her a her grave on her Birthday with air filled balloon with my own timeless message inside of them to do her a remembrance tribute and will release a white dove in flight as I wish her Happy Birthday, hoping it reaches her up in heaven, just how I miss her so, now, always forever in my heart she will be. God bless you Traci and your mom.

  34. thank you for this letter and im relly very happy becous you hear mather vois but me i cant even see her photos or her eys how lok like i miss her too but i relly wanth too sher you yous fillings bey

  35. My Sweet Mama just passed completely unexpected on June 9th,2014 and I came across this story,not by chance,it was all God,This story sounds the same of what is in my heart, it’s exactly how I feel about My Sweet Mom,Also I’m 38 yrs old as I noticed that was your age when your Mom passed,I could never put how I feel into words,but you did.through our Mighty God and I know My Mom would have loved that song too,i don’t know if she ever heard it,God how I wish I could ask her,My pain is very fresh and I pray God brings me through it,also My Son’s name is Adam and in 2011,he really turned his life to God,he as always known him,but he finally opened his heart and got his own personal relationship and he became a youth minister in 2012, at The Bread of Life,the church My Mom have attended for years,due to work related issues he had to move and has been unable to pursue that,Gd will make a way again,I pray,anyway I have a Grand-baby due in September,the babyshower was on June 7th 2014 and My Mama had worked for days on getting things ready and she was there for the shower and Church the next day with my son and the next day on Monday June 9th,2014 she had a heart attack out f nowhere at 3:11 in the afternoon,she was fine,I still can’t understand why he took her now,she is my Mom,my Best friend,my everything,I still need her here,so I just keep praying for God to heal the Unspeakable pain I feel right now,you have a beautiful heart and family! Thank you for sharing your story,I suppose it helped me to talk,this was not by chance I came across this today,it was God,thank you God,to you be all the honor and glory,Amen Stacy Stickland Rightman

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