A Tribute to a Wonderful Lady
This may be the most personal blog that I ever write. I am extremely compelled to do so however for several reasons. First of all, I am writing about a person who inspired me immensely. Secondly, I was unable to attend the graveyard service this past week where I would have spoken many good things about this wonderful person. And lastly, I will miss you!
When I first met Eva O’Brien Tripp 23 years ago, I thought, WOW, how lucky am I to have such a cool mother-in-law. She was about 63 years old at that time. I quickly learned that she’s not home, so don’t bother stop by. She’s out doing some sort of volunteer work or a favor for someone. Whether something for the senior center or just giving a friend in need a ride to a doctors appointment, she was always on the go. Eva touched so many with her little deeds of kindness. Selfless! The word was created for her.
She started Christmas shopping on December 26th. Her mind was like a computerized filing system, keeping tract of what she was going to buy for who and what she had already bought, as the year unfolded. This was a systematic process that must of only gotten more difficult as her family grew to 19 grandchildren and 25 great-grandchildren. Of course I couldn’t get mad at her when she would ask me if we could stop here or there because she needed to pick something up for so-in-so. She knew which gift shop or which store had the item she wanted to buy for each person. And don’t forget it’s only February!
Yes, she inspired me so much. It wasn’t until that point in my life that I really learned about giving. How could someone who had so little, give so much? She must have been blessed!
I remember the first Memorial Day when my wife asked me if we could go with her mom to the cemetery to lay some flowers. I said sure, not knowing that this would be an all day event covering 100 miles and 4 cemeteries. What a good time we had.
The feeling “mother-in-law” disappeared early on. It was replaced with words and feelings like Special, Mom, Fun, Good, and Charity.
Thank you mom for making me see life in a completely different perspective. Thanks for making me a better person. Thanks for the so many good times that we had.
I miss you. I love you.
This may be the most personal blog that I ever write. I am extremely compelled to do so however for several reasons. First of all, I am writing about a person who inspired me immensely. Secondly, I was unable to attend the graveyard service this past week where I would have spoken many good things about this wonderful person. And lastly, I will miss you!
When I first met Eva O’Brien Tripp 23 years ago, I thought, WOW, how lucky am I to have such a cool mother-in-law. She was about 63 years old at that time. I quickly learned that she’s not home, so don’t bother stop by. She’s out doing some sort of volunteer work or a favor for someone. Whether something for the senior center or just giving a friend in need a ride to a doctors appointment, she was always on the go. Eva touched so many with her little deeds of kindness. Selfless! The word was created for her.
She started Christmas shopping on December 26th. Her mind was like a computerized filing system, keeping tract of what she was going to buy for who and what she had already bought, as the year unfolded. This was a systematic process that must of only gotten more difficult as her family grew to 19 grandchildren and 25 great-grandchildren. Of course I couldn’t get mad at her when she would ask me if we could stop here or there because she needed to pick something up for so-in-so. She knew which gift shop or which store had the item she wanted to buy for each person. And don’t forget it’s only February!
Yes, she inspired me so much. It wasn’t until that point in my life that I really learned about giving. How could someone who had so little, give so much? She must have been blessed!
I remember the first Memorial Day when my wife asked me if we could go with her mom to the cemetery to lay some flowers. I said sure, not knowing that this would be an all day event covering 100 miles and 4 cemeteries. What a good time we had.
The feeling “mother-in-law” disappeared early on. It was replaced with words and feelings like Special, Mom, Fun, Good, and Charity.
Thank you mom for making me see life in a completely different perspective. Thanks for making me a better person. Thanks for the so many good times that we had.
I miss you. I love you.
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