This blog is not for the light-hearted or easily offended. If either one of those descriptions applies to you, i would suggest you start drinking before you read this blog. A sense of humor is suggested. If you don't have one that sucks for you … find one and get a life!
To my mom: the world’s greatest eulogy by Bruce Procton
Wow! How quickly time goes. So today is Sunday, September 9th although I’m going to leave this post up for Monday as well. Two years ago when I started this blog, I printed the eulogy that my brother read at my mom’s funeral. She would have been 80 years old today so Happy Birthday Mom!
She’s been gone 16 years and I miss her everyday although she’s always with me. Each year on her birthday, I reprint the eulogy and today I’m going to as well.
My brother Bruce, representing her three children, wrote an incredibly beautiful eulogy to her. So, even though this is not the least bit humorous and I didn’t write it, in honor of my mom on her birthday, I would like to share it with you.
DID YOU KNOW MY MOTHER?
Did you know my mother?
To many of you, Barbara Procton was an example of a courageous person, who dealt with many difficulties and setbacks over the last 9 years with an unparalleled grace. To me, and those who have known her for a lifetime, she was this and much more.
Did you know my mother?
Did you know thewoman who taught me that a woman can be much more than just a mother and a homemaker. That, long before women’s rights and equality became an issue, a woman could do jobs equal to or better than men. That respect goes to an individual based upon their intelligence and know how, not based upon their sex?
Did you know my mother?
Did you know the woman who went back to school while raising three children to get her masters degree? The person who, in her teaching career took on many of the hardest cases because she believed that everybody had great potential and that she could help unlock that potential.
Did you know my mother?
Did you know the person who could challenge others to be their best?
Did you know the person who handled the near-death of my brother and years of rehabilitative surgeries with such grace? Who, even while rattled herself, appeared to be unphased to others and a rock of strength? Who put me back together each time through my own accident prone childhood?
Did you know my mother?
Did you know the person who taught me and others to be blind to color or race and who despised put downs based upon differences between people?
Did you know the last of the red hot liberals, who believed that individuals, institutions and government could assist others in a positive way?
Did you know my mother?
Did you know the woman who was, above all an individual?
The person with a sense of style all her own?
The person who wore the hats which, to this day, still embarrass the 10 year old within me?
The person whose exuberance for life, theatre, literature and the arts could be summed up in one word – Wonderful!
Did you know my mother?
Did you know the person with the sense of family that would not let us forget where she, and we, came from? Whose stories about her childhood, her parents, her aunts, uncles, cousins and sister brought us knowledge of a much larger world.
I hope you were fortunate to know my mother, even if you were not touched by all her facets. I hope, and know even more, that the values and knowledge that she imparted to me, my brother, sister and father will stay with you as long as they will stay with me.
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Beautiful. She sounds like an amazing woman. What a wonderful tribute.
Thanks…she really was
Stalker…:). Read but don’t really have time to comment. Sweet eulogy…just want to say it sounds like she was a wonderful person!
Not a stalker…just a reader is just fine :)) and thanks
Absolutely beautiful. And a very sweet tribute to re-post this every year.
thanks…it’s definitely become an annual thing
What a wonderful eulogy and such a wonderful way of describing the person she was and some of her facets. Lovely that you post this every year Lynn.
x
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thanks
Such a touching eulogy. Your Mother must have been a truly beautiful person – inside and outside. Thank you for sharing!
Vidya Sury recently posted..The Nuts and Bolts of Happiness
she was an interesting, warm and loving person…also quite bright
Never met her (obviously) but can see a lot of her in your various posts. Lovely.
I love the repetition of the question. It both invites those who did not know her to find out, and embraces those who did know those aspects of her into a hug.
I love this eulogy
I remember your Mom! This is a great tribute to her, she was a character !
I also knew and loved your grandmother.
Thanks for posting
thanks Susan…
Thanks Lynn for sharing this and THANKS for sharing your home…very special, Paula
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it was great seeing you…let me know if you’re in NC again :))
She sounds lovely, Lynn. And reminds me of someone else I know.
awwww thanks…how are you doing girl???
I think you have missed your mom on her birthday. But it is the rule of life that, everybody will die one day. Your eulogy is really excellent. It touched my heart.
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I was fortunate enough to know your Mother…
I think of her walking in for her appointment singing
at 9:00 AM !!
Love the photo! Movie Star : )
Yeah…she loved her hair appointments
Yes, I knew your mother. But not nearly well enough. When I was growing up, we visited from time to time and sometimes the famlies met in-between, like in Washington DC. Our visits from Long Island to North Carolina were not frequent. But they had a great impact nonetheless. Could I forget your mom’s husky voice, spelling out her views and laughing a lot. Our Procton cousins in my case, were much younger than me. Both of your parents helped me to understand my own parents and offered support. They were that kind of people. Love, Cousin Lauren
thanks Lauren…hope you’re doing well. Things have been chaotic but slowing down some around here
Lynn – Sunday was my youngest daughter’s birthday – she turned 8. Two days prior was the 18th anniversary of my mother’s death. I see my mom in my daughter every day. It was a beautiful eulogy. Sounds like your mom and my mom were a lot alike – must have been something about that generation (My mom would have been 87 this year).
sorry for your loss :((