Clearwater, FL, June 21, 2008 -- What can be said about our Mom,
Ida L. Wozniak? Mom chose to the ultimate profession of a
“stay at home mom”, a
Labor of Love, a profession that all her 5 children have benefited from since childhood. Mom was the family CEO, the day care provider, the accountant, the chauffeur, the counselor, the chef, the nurse, the laundress, the entertainer, the personal stylist, the preacher and the educator.
She was part of the original fraternity of “soccer/football moms” before they became in vogue. Mom embraced her profession with such vim and vigor with all her children. She not only taught us about family values, but most importantly, she taught us about life.
We hold dear to our hearts so many great memories of the caring, compassionate, loving, happy, positive person that she was. The family times, the vacations, the teaching, the coaching, the caring, the loving, the embracing, the discipline, the mentoring… all great memories.
About 3 years ago, mom was diagnosed with breast cancer. We, as children would do, wanted her to undergo chemotherapy treatment in the hope of having mom with us longer. Mom took everything so calmly. She reluctantly elected chemotherapy. Though the chemo most likely extended her fragile life we knew that there would eventually be an end.
This past month the doctor informed the family that there was nothing more they could do and recommended no further treatment. What we could do was to make her as comfortable as possible during the last few months of her life. Karen and Ida graciously took over moms activities during these last months of her life with compassion and care. Much the same as mom had done for all her children growing up.
Christmas and the subsequent months were bittersweet memories for all of us who loved mom so much. We were happy because we were spending times together with her, and at the same time sad, because we knew that these days with mom would be limited.
Mom had a dream this past Friday night (June 4, 2008) that a home in heaven was being prepared for her for a celebration, with activities of preparation, people dressed in white and the adornment of the house with many rooms. She was not in the home at this time, but on the outside looking in.
On Sunday, though weak mom spoke a few precious words, she whispered that she wanted "that house", whispering this several times to us as we held her weakened hands.
On Monday, her last night with us (July 7, 2008), we all spent the whole day praying with her and for her. We told her what a great mom she was, that we were so very proud of her and assured her that we would be there for each other, no matter what.
On her last breaths that day, a few tears trickled down her face. She found peace at last with her Creator our God. That thought of her being with our God is what has made us get through the experience of losing
Our Mentor, Our Model, Our Mom. John 14:1-3 states:
"Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me. In my Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am." Mom has inspired us to go on with our lives. We can feel Mom listening with us, comforting us, living in us.
Mom, we will cherish all the great times and great memories that we have had with you until we meet again.
http://www.mem.com/movie/MovingMemories.asp?ID=2524108
“To Those I Love and To Those Who Love Me”
When I am gone, release me, let me go.
I have so many things to see and do.
You mustn’t tie yourself to me with tears,
Be happy that we had so many years.
I gave you my love, you can only guess
How much you gave to me in happiness.
I thank you for the love you have shown
But now it’s time I travel on alone.
So grieve awhile for me, if grieve you must
Then let your grief be comforted by trust.
It’s only for a little while that we must part,
So bless the memories within your heart.
I won’t be far away, for life goes on.
So if you need me, call and I will come.
Though you can’t see or touch me, I’ll be near.
And if you listen with your heart you’ll hear
All of my love around you soft and dear.
And then, when you must come this way alone
I’ll greet you with a smile and "Welcome Home
What the bible says:
2 Corinthians 4:16-18
16 Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. 17For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. 18 So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.
Corinthians 5:8
Yes, we are fully confident, and we would rather be away from these earthly bodies, for then we will be at home with the Lord.
John 14:1-3
"Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me. In my Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am."
1 Corinthians 15:54-57
Then, when our dying bodies have been transformed into bodies that will never die, this Scripture will be fulfilled:
“Death is swallowed up in victory.
O death, where is your victory?
O death, where is your sting?”
For sin is the sting that results in death, and the law gives sin its power. But thank God! He gives us victory over sin and death through our Lord Jesus Christ.
