The Gift of My Mother and a Give Away

This post will remain at the top of my blog until Jan 17th.  Please scroll down for current posts.  Thank you!

It's been so long, I know.  I've had a rough couple of months.  Back in November we had quite a bit of illness that came through our house.  In the midst of trying to get our home up for sale, my husband became very ill and only a few weeks in between, so did I.  We always travel to Michigan to hunt in November.  It's a family tradition.  I became so ill that I wasn't sure I was going to be able to drive my kids up to meet with their dad and grandpa to hunt.  I did though.  I felt better for a few days and was able to go see my Aunt and Mom.  My daughter and I  had planned an overnight stay.  My Mom made the trip from Washington and scheduled it so we could all see each other.  On that Friday, I became very ill again and ended up going to the ER on Saturday because I could not break my fever of 102.5. 

   I ended up with pneumonia.  My husband had to come and bring my son and stay with us.  It was quite cozy.  My Aunt's house is very tiny and we had 6 people and 2 dogs.  I was so sick that I missed my husband being sworn in at his new job as Fire Chief.  I felt like such a burden to my family and so awful that I couldn't be there to support my husband.  We ended up staying 5 days with my Mom, Aunt and her husband.  I remember crying because I just felt so bad and my mom rubbing my face and telling me it was ok.  I kept thinking, "Why is this happening?  Why am I so sick and why did I miss out on seeing my husband start the beginning of his new career?"

Those 5 days ended up being a blessing.  Getting sick gave us 4 extra days with my Mom.

My beautiful, amazing Mom died on December 6th.

She died in her sleep at the age of 59.

I never thought that my pneumonia would be a blessing, but it was.  My kids got to spend time with her, my husband got to see her and I got to feel her rub my face and care for me like she did when I was little.

She got to see her family...the thing that made her most happy.

This is the last picture I have of her.  She didn't want me to take it because she didn't think she looked that great.  I'm so glad I made her. 

My mom was always beautiful.  INSIDE and out.  She always did things for people.  Random Acts of Kindness were part of her everyday life.  I said that she had the gift of making OTHER PEOPLE feel beautiful.  She did.  She was loved by so many.

Before she came home she told me a "story."  

She said, " I made a new friend out here."

"That's good, Mom!"

She then proceeded to tell me about the woman that was living in her neighbors' house for the winter.  This women was "down on her luck" and had been diagnosed with Breast Cancer.  She had no one to take her to the doctor appts.  My mom ended up driving this woman all over to get the test results and then treatment.  She was the person that helped this woman when she was scared and didn't understand or know what she should do.

I told my Mom that it was so great of her to do this.  She just replied, "It's good for me too.  I have a new friend."

My Mom never wanted any glory for her kindness.  She never said, "Hey!  Guess what I'M doing?"  She just did....quietly.

What makes this even more amazing is that my Mom HATED to drive.  She overlooked her fears to do something for someone else.  That was just her way.

When she died, we found out that my Mom used to buy coats and clothing for little kids that would come into the Elementary School where she was a secretary.  If she noticed that they didn't have adequate clothing she would head out after work and buy them something.  I never knew this.  None of us ever knew this....just her husband.  She was a quiet Angel on Earth.

We are honoring her giving, loving way.  We have set up a fund to continue to buy coats, gloves, hats, clothing for those in need at Elementary Schools.  If you would like to donate to my Mother's Fund you can find the link at the top left sidebar on my blog.

The Debi Johnson Clothing Fund For Children

My mom liked to make cards.  She didn't stamp, but she made some beautiful cards with Sizzix dies.

She called me a the week before she died to sing me, "Happy Anniversary."  She said she had made a card for Dave and I, but hadn't sent it yet.  She never was late with a card.  I told her she was beginning to sound like me.  (I am terrible about sending cards.  It is the one regret I'm trying to live with now.)  I told her it was no big deal.  I appreciated her calling since my hubby wasn't around.

On the day she died, I got her card in the mail.  It is the MOST BEAUTIFUL card she has ever made me.  The inside was so full of loving words.

What a blessing!  A gift from her to me on the day I would need it most!

I'm trying to focus on the blessings!  I have always believed in thinking positive.  Even when I cry everyday and feel my heart may never be whole again, I know she would want me to be positive.  To continue my life in a positive way.  To continue her legacy and live my life giving to others and teaching my children the same.  Random Acts of Kindness.

Many people want to do something.  I hear each day someone say, "Let me know if there is anything I can do."

My response:

Do something for someone else.  In honor of my mother, look for someone in need.  Give a kind word, a loving gesture, food for someone who is hungry, clothing for someone who is cold.  Do for others.  If everyone in this world were as kind as my Mother, all the world would be a good place.

She lived her life the way we all should.  I will continue to live her legacy.  Please consider donating to her fund.  If you cannot then just go out and do a good deed for someone.

For months now, I have had some BLOG CANDY to give away.

Please spread the word about my Mother's Fund and the blog candy.  Leave me a comment telling me about how you have been blessed in your life and how you will bless someone else this year.

I will draw a name on January 17th. ( Martin Luther King Day)

As for me, I've been blessed with 2 wonderful parents.  Even after divorce, they remained friends and continued to teach their children the greatest lessons in life.  To do for others, to live your life well, to laugh and love and never take your family for granted.

 I have been blessed with the MOST AMAZING FAMILY! God blessed me with a wonderful husband and 2 beautiful children.  They shoveled the neighbors driveway the other day, just to be nice.  Their Grandma Debi would be so proud.  She lives in them.

I will continue to live my life doing as my mother did.  Leading by example and knowing she is there to guide me.  I feel her and know she is smiling at me and cheering me on.  She always did.  She was my biggest fan.

I wish you all a Happy Holiday!
I'd like to leave you with some words that a family friend left on my Momma's Funeral Guestbook.
I imagine these are the words that will help me get through

I do not believe we ever understand the impact people have on us until they are gone. The subtle memories,the fleeting moments that at the time seem like nothing but then flood to your mind when you hear someone you once cared for has passed. Mrs. Johnson was a true blessing. I have more memories of her smile and soft voice than I can count at the moment. Her beautiful smile, her words of encouragement, her genuine love for her children. She was like another mother to me during my high school years. Death is a very difficult thing to understand. You are torn between so many different emotions. Sorrow, anger, frustration, doubt to the point where to no longer feel anything. I want to share these words with the family left behind and any that read this, life was not given for you to achieve, or gain anything. It was given so you could give. I pray you will not focus on the loss the world is showing you but rather rejoice in the blessing God has given you. Debbie did her part, she was not perfect as none of us are but she gave, she loved, and she forever changed the lives of those she met. May you make these days about that blessing and not about loss, may your prayers and energy be focused on the lessons she taught. May you be strengthened by your trust in God, not to question Debbie's passing but rather embrace her life. Death was never designed to be the end, but merely a time of rest until Christ unites His beloved again. Until then my friend, I for one will continue your work of love. I look forward to seeing your beautiful smile and hearing your angelic voice once again.