I want to share with everyone how special my mother was.

    

My precious mother.

I love her and miss her.

She was a truly remarkable woman.

She had so much warmth and insight.  She would write me thoughtful notes and letters full of advice for life.  At the time, I didn't always pay attention or fully appreciate her words, but now as I re-read them, they make so much sense.  She raised me so lovingly.  She nurtured, directed, supported and protected me.  She was often over-protective and she definitely worried too much, but now I wish she were here being her over-protective self.

She was always there for me, whether it was with encouragement or with constructive criticism (for my own good, of course).  If it weren't for her setting me straight on many occasions, I don't know where I'd be.  You know the saying . . . "Mother knows best."  She felt it was her parental duty to help me correct my flaws, and I know she helped me become a better person.  I owe her a lot of gratitude, and I apologize to her for my many shortcomings.  I will continually try to be a better person—for her and because of her.  She taught me so much and will continue to teach me because she will be in my heart and mind every day.  I thank her for raising me with faith in God.  Faith gave her strength and comfort and it gives me strength and comfort . . . and hope.

       

Here is an example of a message she once sent to me:

Her thoughts were always about kindness and honesty, and she was always thinking of others.  In fact, she burdened herself so much with other people's problems that she endured more than her share of stress. She envisioned a kinder world where honesty prevailed.  She had a deep concern with how children are raised, and she worried that many children don't get the nurturing, caring environment they need to reach their potential.  While dealing with many issues in her life, she tried her hardest to be the best mother she could be.  I look back and remember countless efforts she made for her children.  She was amazing, and yet she lamented that she “could have” done better as a parent.  Well, I feel I had the most wonderful mother in the world!  I just didn't always know how to be a good daughter.

She was an elegant lady.  Manners were very important, and she took pride in being tastefully dressed.
She loved nature and animals.  She derived abundant joy from simple things such as a beautiful flower, a nice view, or watching a pretty bird fly by.
         

   



She endured many hardships in her life but stayed strong.  Born in Russia, she faced many challenges.  Her family had to split up to escape World War II, and she never saw her mother again!  She was only 14.  She traveled with her father and brother across many countries, not knowing where their next meal would come from or where they would sleep the next night.  That is how she spent her teenage years—without her mother and without a place to call home.  She spent time in Romania, Bulgaria, Yugoslavia, and Greece, learning to speak the languages and meeting new people.  Then she had the opportunity to come to the United States at the age of 22.  She put herself through college in New York (learning English along the way), earning a bachelors degree with a double major in biology and physiology, and she did it in three years.  Then she studied voice at the New England Conservatory of Music in Boston.  She loved classical music and was an accomplished singer.  She enjoyed singing in concerts and spent her spare time attending the recitals of other students. She traveled with the M.I.T. Choral Society and auditioned with the Metropolitan Opera.

       

Raising a family, however, put a halt to her singing career.

Now she had a new focus.  She loved her children with all her heart!



       

   

   

MY PRECIOUS MOTHER.

SHE WAS LIKE A BEAUTIFUL FLOWER.  LIKE A BEAUTIFUL FLOWER, SHE BROUGHT MUCH JOY TO ALL WHO KNEW HER.  AND LIKE A BEAUTIFUL FLOWER THAT WITHERS, HER LIFE AND PASSING REMIND US THAT WE ARE ALL HERE FOR ONLY A SHORT TIME.

SHE WENT TO REST IN PEACE ON NOVEMBER 20, 2004.

GOD WILLING, I WILL SEE HER AGAIN IN A BETTER PLACE.



I LOVE YOU MAMA
your loving daughter