Pandora

As near to perfection as He created, one of 14 children, a pure, gentle, unselfish, innocent person.

Mom was a talented Homemaker, Seamstress, master Crocheter, organizer, one who was an amazing Cook (including her famous Riceballs), and one who created everything beautifully with her hands of gold. 

Mom even made a rainy day fun when we were little.  She would write things we could do on pieces of paper and put them into a bowl for us to choose from all day.  Even blackouts were fun, we would all camp out in the living room all night. 

Holidays were magical, from decor to having all our relatives over. 

Every weekend when we had our Country House, we would invite Family and Neighbors there and it was always wonderful. 

My Mom and Dad were crazy for each other, with a lot of laughter.   They loved a houseful, especially since our Dad was an orphan as a Boy.

My Mom was never unkind to anyone and never thought ill of anyone who may not have visited or called.  Holidays with her Grandchildren and Great grandchildren were special to her.

We always wrote each other notes, there are love notes all over the house from Mom, in every drawer I open, in my room.   She was also the funniest, she would say certain things dryly, and have me hysterical for hours.

We did everything together, we did nothing together.   She would thank me and leave me notes for a week just because we had a day for manicures and hair appointments.  These little things always made her feel special. Through the years she would say "If I were a selfish Mother, I would be happy, but I want more for you".  It took me years to convince her that the "more" was nothing I wanted anymore, and that I was perfectly happy.   And wherever we were she would say, “I can't wait to get back to Our Happy Home".  

Over the years, so often, she would stop and say, "Remember, no matter what happens, you've been the best daughter".  I would get angry each time, and would say right back "Okay, if anything happens, you've been the best Mother". Then we would both laugh.   She always said, “I don't rest until you are home safe".   Now Mom, I won't rest until I see you again. 

Mom prayed for everyone, even the stranger walking alone or going to work.   She recently told me she had a dedicated bead on her Rosary for certain people.   If someone was ill, she would call Silent Unity and have them pray with her.   At the start of Mom's illness, I made that call, this time for her, and made another call that week.   She always called Jesus, “Jesus my friend".  Throughout this time, each night she'd pray "make us both be well", for she knew I was just as ill, along with her. She held her Rosary to her face every day and night.

I was not the perfect daughter and she always forgave me.  And, I didn't try for her as I should have over these many years,  to try and return the missing joys to her life, I ask her to forgive me now for not trying,  just for her.  She was my Mother, my Sister, my Best Friend, who always took care of me.   When I look behind me, I lovingly see 2 shadows.

Life was sad for Mom and us over the years, but she stayed strong for us.  She always thought she was a failure in this life.  Bottom line is, she stayed strong for me and I stayed strong for her.  We did it for each other. 

 
My Mom had to be kept in a sedated sleep in what would be the last two weeks.  I hated it because I missed her every day.  I would still talk to her all day because I felt she could still hear me in this state.  I'd tell her who was on the phone, or what mail came in, or who was here to visit.  

I would have the TV music channel on for my Mom to hear. One day that week, "Pennies from Heaven" played, and a song my Brother John would sing to her, "The Most Beautiful Girl in the World" came on.   The afternoon of what would be our last day, for a moment, she lifted her head, fully opened her eyes and looked at me.   Her troubled eyes looked perfect too, and then she closed them.  That night, she opened them again from her induced sleep, lifted her head, was struggling to speak, then her hand reached up and grabbed my fingers and she set back to sleep.   I was so happy she touched me, I kissed her hand, saying "Thank you Mom!", but she had left me, here, in "our happy home".

I thought I could get you well, I thought I could pray you well, I thought I could tell you one day how dark it was for five months once we were past it and out of that black hole.  

The joys and pains of this life have passed for our Mom.

The world's light has gone out forever until we meet and are together again. I wait...

Kiss Daddy and Johnny Boy.  
Goodnight Mommy, my Best Friend. 
“I love you more”.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Pandora Barbaro, please visit our Heartfelt Sympathies Store.