“To describe my mother would be to write about a hurricane in its perfect power.” — Maya Angelou
We celebrated the life of Edith Jean, yesterday. Jack, Maryellen, their brothers, sisters, family and friends gathered on a radiant afternoon to honor their mother. We are deeply grateful to Father Yvon Royer, a long-time friend of the family, who kindly officiated in spite of his busy schedule.
No matter who we are, where we live and what we do, we all share a common thread in the experience of our connection with those who inspire our lives and values. For many of us it is a parent; for others a sibling, a friend, even a teacher. We honor these people in the way we live; in the strengths and values we take into our daily lives in memory of them; because of them. We share this because we know it touches something in everyone. In truth, you share our story every time you sit at our tables. In truth, the table is a place where we always meet heart to heart.
In these circumstances, it is often said that we come to pay our respects, and this is precisely what we did. We set the stage for music and testimony; for remembering, for humility. Here are some of the words that resonated deeply with all present.
“Where she lived, there was not one person who did not know her. She cared about children. She cared about how people lived, what they were made of and what they made of their lives… She struggled. She struggled and made sure we always had what we needed, and she expected a lot of us. She expected us to be more; to do more… In a time when I thought we had nothing, we really had everything, because we had mom. We had nothing, but mom made everything we had perfect.”
A friend of the family added, “The Foley house, Jean’s house, was full of love. It is said that a home is a place where, when you go there they have to take you in. This was the Foley home. Jean made it warm. She made it safe. She made you feel welcome.”
Steven concluded with a Damien Rice song titled, “Can’t take my eyes off of you.” The chanting voice of a son to honor his mother is the ultimate lullaby of gratitude.
And so it is
Just like you said it would be
Life goes easy on me
Most of the time
And so it is…
I can’t take my eyes off of you
I can’t take my eyes off you
I can’t take my eyes off you
I can’t take my eyes…
Can’t take my mind off of you
I can’t take my mind off you
I can’t take my mind off of you…
My mind…my mind…
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