Yes, it is pretty lousy when your parents die.  My Mom passed away last Wednesday night.  I was watching the hockey game when the phone rang.  I knew.  My last visit with her was the Saturday before.  I told her about the Sports Celebrity dinner I was hosting.  We talked about the family.  We watched some old movies together.  The next day the doctor had to ramp up her meds and sedate her because the cancer was too much to bear.  She still fought for four more days.

      Mom never bitched or complained when she was diagnosed.  Her only concern was how was it going to affect us kids.  But that’s what Moms do.  She was selfless.  She loved us no matter what, and was our biggest cheerleader.  She wore pictures of my brother and I in our hockey equipment on her coat so the other mothers would know who she was rooting for.  She screamed at the ump when I was called out on strikes.  And she also saw right through me when she discovered a case of beer under my bed when I was 17.  ‘Mom, I’m holding it for a friend’, I said.  Dad got some free beer that day.

      There is nothing worse than seeing your own Mother with a look of helplessness and terror in her eyes.  Thankfully she is no longer suffering.  Now that she’s gone, I’m happy and relieved.  But most importantly, I am proud.  I’m proud of her fight.  And proud to be her son.  Bye, Mom.  See you soon.