Dear Mom,
I know it was a joyous moment when you reunited with wonderful Grandma and Grandpa and all your loving family in heaven. I know, even now, you are watching over us, sending us love and strength and encouragement. Thank you for your spiritual leadership, in showing us by your example of the power of faith, forgiveness, and what it is to know the peace of God, the steadfast knowledge that we are all loved, all forgiven, all understood, and we are all children of the Lord God Most High.
I remember so clearly being in Yorkton with Grandma and Grandpa, aunts and uncles, and cousins many. The love of the Kormos family was strong and I know it is a joy for you to be once again surrounded by the love of your parents, brothers and sisters. I often visit wonderful memories of Grandma and Grandpa, cousins, aunts and uncles. The angel cakes Grandma and Grandpa used to order in time for our visits, Grandma’s Hungarian flaky pastry with the icing sugar dusted on top - Fourgochfunk? I can say it but can’t spell it, even checked my Hungarian dictionary (yes, I have one) but no avail. Sitting around their tiny living room with so many uncles, aunts, cousins. I remember Uncle Lorne’s doughnut shop, his smile of contentment as he watched his kids laughing it up with your kids. Going to the local Co-op with Grandpa. The family reunion at Uncle Alec and Aunt Freida’s farm. Visiting Aunt Judy and Uncle Joe’s farm. I remember all the others too.
Thank you for the wonderful sense of home you gave to us, for apple crisp, apple pie, corn fritters, Christmas, Easter and Thanksgiving dinners, clothing from the Sears and Eaton’s catalogues, trying to help me learn how to sew a straight line to attach the straps of the camel wool jumper for my grade 7 Home Economics class. You are a professional shopper and style master, a beauty whiz. We didn’t always understand each other in the moment, but we did always get there and return to sharing hearts.
I will go on holding your hand in my mind, picturing you and asking for your wisdom. I will say I love you out loud to you every day because I know you are keeping a watch over me. I will still pray for you every day. I’m so glad you are well and free. I respect and honour the timing and circumstances which I believe you and God agreed upon together for your journey to heaven. I know I will continue to learn from you, as things you’ve said and taught me come to mind for all of my days. Thanks for the homemade mac’n’cheese you made us in Palliser when we walked home from St. Benedict’s Elementary School for lunch and watched Buck Shot. Thanks for the orange birthday cakes, they were the best. And thanks for potato chips on Friday or Saturday nights watching the Tommy Hunter Show or the Sonny and Cher Show. Thanks for waving at us from the living room window in Barhaven every morning when we walked to the bus stop for school. We all waved to each other until we rounded the corner to the bus stop. Thanks for being there every day when we got home.
I remember coming downstairs one morning before school in an outfit which you said did not match (somehow purple and orange were involved), and getting sent back to my room to try again. I don’t think I made that mistake twice. Thanks for my fun fur moto jacket with the brown vinyl trim in junior high. It turned me from gangly to polished. Thanks for knowing that girls in moto jackets need: heels (70s platforms), nail polish (blue), eye shadow (green), and a hair style.
Sandy is curled up at your feet right now, I know it. I know you will have hugged your granddaughter now. Please say hi to all our wonderful loved ones for us, all of whom are cherished and remembered. Thanks for bringing our news to them. And for everything.
Love, Nadine
