Goodbye Mom

Mary Wise, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, sister, aunt, and one of my best friends. As we grow, we tend to take things for granted. We take for granted things like: what I can't get done today, I can do tomorrow; the Buckeyes will always have a winning season; and most of all, our parents will always be around. My mom taught me a lot as I was growing up. She taught me how to bowl, "keep your arm straight, like someone is handing you money and you're reaching out to take it", never put your hands on a woman to hurt her; when walking with your woman, keep her on the inside where she is safe and it doesn't look like you're trying to sell her; she taught me that playing "squeezy hands" with your loved ones was a silent way to let them know you love them. She taught me, as a man there is nothing wrong with opening doors for your woman. She told me once, when I was young, she didn't want to have a Son because she didn't want Uncle Sam to take him away to be killed in a war. Upon my joining the Air Force, Mom told me how proud she was of me.

Mom didn't graduate high school but, had no fear in helping me with my school work as I was growing up. She sent me to Catholic School to try to do better for me. She worked hard throughout her life. 18+ years for Robertshaw just for them to move the company out of the country. That would crush an ordinary person. Not mom! She went back to school and gained her diploma. From there, she attended Columbus State. Now of course, Mom was the cougar on campus before they knew what cougars were all about. :) Unfortunately, mom had another set back. She suffered congestive heart failure. I was in Mississippi with my family. We came home to check on mom and told her not to do this anymore. If she wanted us home, all she had to do was ask. :)

As the years went by, mom suffered many set backs. But, mom has always been a fighter. She battled through each and every incident. When I came home to run the Columbus Marathon in 2010, I was ecstatic! I was coming to my hometown to run a big race, and my family would be there to see me! By this time, mom was in a motorized chair an on oxygen. Do you think that stopped her? I didn't think you would believe it either. She was out there! Right around the 10 1/2 mile mark, in Schiller Park, there was Dad, Sis and MOM!! Mom was helping hand out water to the runners. She didn't see me until I was right in front of her. I thought she was going to fly out of her chair. I gave her a big ol sweaty hug and kiss, asked her to hold my sweaty gloves, and took off. I can still picture the smile on her face, and the energy she gave me to continue on with my run.

If you didn't know Mary, you missed out. Come sit with our family and listen to the wonderful stories. She had a great impact on many lives. She is very loved, and will be missed more than you can imagine.

One last time Mom, TOUCHDOWN BUCKEYES!!!! Now we have to wait for the extra point. :) I love you Mom.