The Newsleaders
  • Login
  • Register
No Result
View All Result
  • News
    • Sartell – St. Stephen
    • St. Joseph
    • Sports
  • Opinion
    • Column
    • Editorial
    • Letter to the Editor
  • Community
    • Calendar
    • Citizen Spotlight
    • Criers
    • People
  • Notices
    • Funerals/Visitations
    • Obituary
    • Police Blotter
    • Public Notices
    • Support Groups
  • About Us
    • Contact Us
    • Submissions
  • Archives
    • Sartell-St. Stephen Archive
    • St. Joseph Archive
  • Advertise With Us
    • Print Advertising
    • Digital Advertising
    • 2021 Promotions
The Newsleaders
No Result
View All Result

PineCone Pet Hospital MillerCarlin Serving all of central Minnesota locations!

Albany: 320-845-2035
Holdingford: 320-746-9994
St. Cloud: 320-252-7004
Upsala: 320-573-6234
Toll-free: 1-800-644-4058
Collegeville Stearns Bank
Home Opinion Column

It’s the gift of time that counts

July 23, 2012
in Column, Opinion, Sartell – St. Stephen, St. Joseph
0
0
SHARES
0
VIEWS
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

I’d like to someday change the common quip, “It’s the thought that counts” to “It’s time that counts.”

Mother’s Day is a bittersweet holiday for many, including myself.

It was two years ago this weekend I lost my mom. While others are bustling about trying to find the perfect gift for their mothers, I’m just trying to find the strength to get through the weekend intact.

In a way I’m lucky because I have wonderful memories of our last holiday together. Mom was especially in a good mood all that weekend, despite dealing with some nagging health issues. She always enjoyed celebrating, whether it was a small occasion such as a music concert or good grades on a report card to a large occasion such as someone’s birthday, a wedding anniversary, a holiday or especially a new baby. She would always say, the world has enough sorrow, we need more times to celebrate.

That last weekend was no exception. We spent the whole time together at my parents’ place, socializing with relatives, eating, laughing, picnicking in their beautiful back yard (always a must, weather permitting, to enjoy the fruits of Dad’s colorful gardens – truly a work of labor and love).

Then we decided to venture to the indoor Ferris wheel so all could have a ride to celebrate. Mom had always wanted to go on a hot-air balloon ride and this was the next best thing.

As usual, Mom and I talked into the wee hours of the morning, savoring each others’ company while the rest of the world slept. I think this was both hers and my favorite time together, spending hours trying to solve the world’s problems.

On our last day together, we enjoyed a walk to the local ice-cream shop for free Mother’s Day sundaes. At one point, she looked at me and said, “Sometimes I feel tired and I’m not sure I have the strength to keep fighting.” I reassuringly said to her that she’s still got plenty of fight in her, but her words shook me and in hindsight I believe she truly had a premonition.

As we gathered up our luggage and said our goodbyes, mom gave me a heartfelt hug, which lingered a moment longer than her usual lengthy hugs. She said “Happy Mother’s Day. I want you to know I’m so proud of you and what a good mother you are to your children.” I casually told her “I learned from the best” as we proceeded to plan our next time we would get together.

That day never came. Mom died a few hours later of a heart attack. Through tears, Dad told me over the phone there was nothing anyone could do to save her.

This Mother’s Day weekend, I wish I could have just one more day to relish in her company, her smile, her joy. Time is the one gift you can never replace. For those of you who are trying to find the perfect gift, please spend some extra time with your mother. Coming from one who’s been there, it’s truly the best gift given and received.

Previous Post

Students back MS Walk through volunteering

Next Post

Camp Invention is coming to St. Joseph

Next Post

Camp Invention is coming to St. Joseph

Please login to join discussion

CMCU Twitter Follow us on
Twitter
for the latest news!
Facebook Follow us on Facebook
for the latest news!
calendar Click here
to view our
calendar
of events!

Go Fund Me # 1 Thank You
Newsleader
Supporters!
Elizabeth Brunsvold
Cultural Connections
Jim Berg & Mary Kruger
Mary & John Davis
Sandy Denne
Bobbi & David Gouker
James & marry Graeve
Juliana Howard
Julia Joplin
Linda Kmitch
M. Molus
Sheila Nahan
Go Fund Me # 2 Thank You
Newsleader
Supporters!

Peggy & Michael Roske
Judy Scheuerell
Geraldine Schwab
James Stotko
James Towler
Anna Trobec
Kaye Wenker
Ellen Wahlstrom
Leona Wieland
Jeanie Wilkens
GAGEN & VASUGI RAMANATHAN
Go Fund Me # 3 Thank You
Newsleader
Supporters!
Nicole Borg
Erica Karger-Gatzow
Dane & Lori Listug-Lunde
Nadine Martin
Doris Minnerath
Merry Mund
Marilyn Peitso
Stephen Schwanke
Dianne Tuff
Dale Zacher
Private Donors

Search

No Result
View All Result

Categories

Recent Posts

  • Kluesner appointed to St. Joseph City Council
  • Wood sentenced for killing two children
  • A list of school superintendent finalists expected March 1
  • Sartell man injured in snowmobile crash
  • Sales-tax revenue for Sartell on the up and up

City Links

Sartell
St. Joseph
St. Stephen

School District Links

Sartell-St. Stephen school district
St. Cloud school district

Chamber Links

Sartell Chamber
St. Joseph Chamber

Community

Calendar

Citizen Spotlight

Criers

People

Notices

Funerals/Visitions

Obituary

Police Blotter

Public Notices

Support Groups

About Us

Contact Us

News Tips

Submissions

Advertise With Us

Print Advertising

Digital Advertising

2021 Promotions

Local Advertising Rates

National Advertising Rates

© 2021 Newleaders

No Result
View All Result
  • News
    • Sartell – St. Stephen
    • St. Joseph
    • Sports
  • Opinion
    • Column
    • Editorial
    • Letter to the Editor
  • Community
    • Calendar
    • Citizen Spotlight
    • Criers
    • People
  • Notices
    • Funerals/Visitations
    • Obituary
    • Police Blotter
    • Public Notices
    • Support Groups
  • About Us
    • Contact Us
    • Submissions
  • Archives
    • Sartell-St. Stephen Archive
    • St. Joseph Archive
  • Advertise With Us
    • Print Advertising
    • Digital Advertising
    • 2021 Promotions

© 2021 Newleaders

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password? Sign Up

Create New Account!

Fill the forms below to register

All fields are required. Log In

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In