As I sat down to write the Eulogy for my mom I struggled. I didn’t know how I could put into words what I wanted or needed to say.
Then I immediately heard my mom voice saying “Sandra, if you got something to say, say it. You don’t need to impress anyone - there is no right or wrong.” For those of you who knew my mom - you know that I was her biggest accomplishment and her biggest pain in the ass! Some days we were mother/daughter, other days we were like sisters and other days we were friends. Most all of my life it was just me and her. We were a team. As I grew up, I tried and often denied how much of the same we were. I fought it, but I am not always sure why. She taught me so much - work ethic, loyalty, courage, determination, humor, how to have dumb blonde moments and most important how to love unconditionally. I will always be grateful to her for her being a role model.
She always made time for me…. I don’t know how she did it. She would work 2-3 jobs at a time. But managed to be at every dance recital, softball game, talent show, chorus performance she was always there as my biggest cheerleader. I have so many memories of our mother daughter days -the one in particular that comes to mind was a Sunday afternoon - i must have been about 14 year old (you know that age you want to be with your friends and not your mom) she said it was nice day to take a quick drive. We put on the radio, sang songs, chatted and when I said are you ready to go home - I am sure I had friends who I wanted to go out with - she said “ we will go home when we see someone outside washing their car” I looked at her and rolled my eyes - I think it was February. We went up and down every street…. It turned into a fun game. We went home HOURS later. Looking back, she just wanted time with me and it was a day I will always have a great memory of.
Oh and was she smart! I remember a night when I must have been a sophomore in High School I told mom that I was going to a basketball game and I would be home after the game. Well we didn’t go to a basketball game - not sure what we did - maybe drove up to Hampton Beach and cruised the strip…. When I walked in the house about 8:30pm Mom greeted me and asked how was the basketball game. I quickly said “good” she said “ what was the score” In my head I thought, really… and I quickly answered “two to three, we won” She said “were you really at the BASKETBALL game?” I said “yes” and walked away. She just yelled after me and said “your grounded for lying to me” Amazing how did she know I wasn’t at the game.
Two woman, two bold personalities living together wasn’t always easy. Especially when I was in my teenage years. If you were ever around to witness the arguments it was rather comical. We would exchange words, walk away, go to our separate spot and slam the door. To quickly open the door back up and yell “ I love you” and “I love you too” and then slam the doors again. Mom taught me early to never walk away mad. You never want the last exchange you have with someone not be good. And was she exactly right. The last words I had with my mom were me saying “I love you” and her saying “I love you more.” I have millions of stories that I could share with you about my mom and her beautiful soul… I could go on and on about how strong she was. I could tell you of how funny and quick witted she was. But those stories all don’t have to be told today. Those are my memories that I have and I will share them for years to come. What I will say is as sad is it is that my mom is not physically with us anymore - those that she touched all will continue to carry a piece of her. I am so honored to me Lynne Campbell - McCabe’s daughter. She taught me courage, strength and love and so much more. I will miss her so very much, but I couldn’t be more relieved that she is at peace now. I love you Hot Momma, thank you for being you and raising me to be who I am today!
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