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I Miss My Mom - Today and Every Day.....

By
Real Estate Agent with RE/MAX Shoreline - NH and Maine NH and Maine Broker

                                  Christmas 2003
                              My sister Nancy, my mom, me, my sister Karen (left to right)

Today is the third Mother's Day we've been without my mom.  She's been gone barely 2 years, but it's now 3 Mother's Days......I miss her every single day, and especially on days that draw attention to the fact that she's not here any longer.  My mom - Martha Ann (Seaver) Cummings.

We have a great family - THE best!!  We all really love and enjoy spending time together, and we really actually like each other - not just because we're family, but because we really truly like each other and have so much fun together.  And I'm sure that's due in large part to all the love our parents showered us with over all these years.

I just wanted to make this post a tribute to my mom - here are some pictures of her and my dad.  Some are from long ago, and some are from the not-too-distant past.....

My Mom and Dad








My parents - Harold and Martha Ann (Seaver) Cummings were childhood sweethearts.  My dad was a star football player and my mom was head cheerleader - the all American romance!!

They both went to Clermont High School, in Clermont Florida, and then went on to Florida State University in Tallahassee.



My mom and Dad

 

 

 


I love having these old pictures of my parents!  My mom and dad are the couple in the middle of this picture taken in a downtown Clermont Florida soda fountain.  This was while they were still in high school - a tad bit before they became my mom and dad!  ;-)

 

Family Pic 1970 or so





This picture of all of us is from about 1970 or so.
Front - my sister Dale, my mom, and my dad - love a military uniform!
Back - my youngest sister Nancy, me, and my sister Karen.

My dad was in the Air Force, and that meant picking up and moving many times over the years.  My mom was a real trooper, even when we were a bit bratty about having to move yet again.  My mom and dad

 


She made beautiful homes for us at every base we were ever transferred to.  She loved us and we loved her more than words could ever say.   There was nothing in the world more important to her than her family - and we knew that our whole lives.  She loved us with all she was!


My mom and dad - 2004

 

This picture to the left was the last picture of my mom and dad together.  She had this done just a little over a month before she got sick.......and she gave each of us a framed copy of it. 




This copy of it doesn't do it justice - they are so happy in this picture and the color in the real life portrait is just beautiful.  How fortuitous for all of us that she had this done.....



So, today, Mother's Day, is a very sad day for me, but I will make it through this one better than the last one.  The first one was so very difficult, as it was just a few short weeks after she left us.  I can now say "Happy Mother's Day" to others and not cry, at least not outwardly.

                                                               
                                                     Roses

              And I would like to wish all the mothers and grandmothers and mothers-to-be here 
           
on Active Rain a really wonderful Mother's Day -  Happy Mother's Day from me to you!



             Ann Cummings

 

Posted by

Ann CummingsREALTOR, e-PRO, GRI, CBR

Ann Cummings and Jim Lee formed a team in July of 2010.
Each bring over 30 years of successful real estate experience to the table so with Ann and Jim you truly do get two Realtors for the price of one. We’re dedicated to delivering exceptional service to you our clients and customers; past, present, and future.

Jim LeeCRS, ABR, GRI, e-PRO

Comments (35)

Ann Cummings
RE/MAX Shoreline - NH and Maine - Portsmouth, NH
Portsmouth NH Real Estate Preferrable Agent

Lynda - Thank you so very much for your comment....yes, I do have her middle name.  She's a southerner so was given a double name - Martha Ann - and I was named partly after her, Ann, and partly after my mom's sister, Elizabeth.  I never really thought about that much until the last few years, and realized how really special that was, being named after my mom.

I'm very happy to have some of these old pictures.  I have some others that I really cherish, just didn't have those on my computer.  A couple of them were given to me at my mom's service by one of my parents' lifelong friends.  He had gone home and found them, and carried them in his hand until he could slide them into my hand.  I was so touched by his gesture, wanting to make sure I had them.  He had kept them all those years, and chose to give them to me - a very special gift.

Thank you Lynda!
Ann

May 13, 2007 10:03 AM
Ann Cummings
RE/MAX Shoreline - NH and Maine - Portsmouth, NH
Portsmouth NH Real Estate Preferrable Agent

TLW - I'm so sorry about your Grandmother, a very hard day for you today I'm sure.

I have seen your messages around the Rain today - I thought those were all so very nice to read and listen to.  I saw the touching tribute to your from your love - how very special that was to read.

Happy Mother's Day to you, TLW!
Ann

May 13, 2007 10:07 AM
Linda Davis
RE/MAX Home Team - Gales Ferry, CT
I'm sorry Ann, for the loss of your mom and for others that lost their moms and grandmoms.  I know this day is hard because of that.  I lost my mom when I was 19.  I still think of her very very often and especially on Mother's Day.
May 13, 2007 11:45 AM
Frank Harris
Keller Williams Realty Centre - Columbia, MD

Ann, what a wonderful tribute to your mom and some great pictures. I too miss my mom so much, we must hold on to all the great memories.

Happy Mothers Day to All the Moms in the World.

May 13, 2007 12:39 PM
Rick & Ines - Miami Beach Real Estate
Majestic Properties - Miami Beach, FL
Ann, I cannot even begin to imagine my life without my mom.  I am really sorry to hear about your loss but know she will always be there with you.  I never even met my grandmother and always feel like she is watching over me, the same way your mom is there watching over you.  Hope you had a nice day and thanks for sharing such an intimate part of you.
May 13, 2007 12:57 PM
Ann Cummings
RE/MAX Shoreline - NH and Maine - Portsmouth, NH
Portsmouth NH Real Estate Preferrable Agent

Linda - thank you for your kind words......and I'm sorry for your loss as well.

Frank - thank you and glad you enjoyed my tribute to my mom.  Lots of great memories -  so glad we all have that!

Ines - your post about your mom was so special -cherish her as I know you do.  Thanks so much for your comments, my friend.

Ann

May 13, 2007 01:04 PM
Derek and Mariana Wagner
The Artisan Group- Keller Williams Premier Realty - Colorado Springs, CO
The Artisan Group - Colorado Springs REALTORS®
A day late ... Sorry. What a wonderful post to remember you dear Mom by. And the series of photos were great. Thank yuou for sharing such an important part of your life, Ann. :)
May 14, 2007 03:57 PM
Monika McGillicuddy
Prudential Verani Realty - Atkinson, NH
NH Real Estate Broker

Ann,

What a wonderful tribute to your mom and your dad! I know it was very heartfelt and a truly special post to write. I love the pictures you posted and the story you told  about your mom and dad.

Sorry I'm soooo late in commenting...limited internet down here. 

May 15, 2007 01:35 AM
Anonymous
Karen (Ann's sister)

Ann,

What a beautiful job and a wonderful tribute to mama!

 Love you!

Karen

May 16, 2007 05:15 AM
#24
Ann Cummings
RE/MAX Shoreline - NH and Maine - Portsmouth, NH
Portsmouth NH Real Estate Preferrable Agent

Mariana - you are very welcome, and thank you for reading and commenting...just something I wanted to write and share.

Monika - thank you!  I'm glad you enjoyed this - you know just how I feel.

Karen, my sister - thank you for finding this and loving it like I did.  I woke up Sunday morning with this aleady in my head.  We do miss her, don't we??  Love you!!

Ann

May 16, 2007 12:57 PM
Lynda Eisenmann
Preferred Home Brokers - Brea, CA
Broker Associate ,CRS,GRI,SRES, Brea,CA, Orange Co

Hi Ann & sister-Karen,

If you don't mind, I'd like to  comment once again on this. I was so touched to see Karen's comments. It's obvious you two know how fortunate you are to have each other. Your parents did well!

It's very similar in my family, I'm now one of 3 sisters (eldest) and 1 brother (spread over many years) almost like different generations.  And I can honestly say we are closer now than ever...with the passing of both parents we realize the gift we've been given in many ways. It's helped us accept and love each other more than ever. We have all gained strength together.  As I write this, we have a serious family concern at this time, yet with each other we gather comfort and we remain strong.

My best to you and your family...

May 16, 2007 03:46 PM
Ann Cummings
RE/MAX Shoreline - NH and Maine - Portsmouth, NH
Portsmouth NH Real Estate Preferrable Agent

Hi Lynda - thank you so much for your new comment.  And I'm sorry to hear of something serious going on in your family.  I hope whatever it is has a positive result, whatever that may be.

We count ourselves among the very lucky ones in my family because we do all really genuinely like each other and enjoy each other's company and friendship, in addition to the love we share because we are family.  We find tremendous strength and comfort in each other and being together.  We've always just had a ton of fun together, and that continues on even though my mom is no longer here.  As a matter of fact, I brought both my sister Karen and my dad with me to the Active Rain Celebration in Celebration Florida last month - I knew they'd have fun and they really did.  I included the link because I've got a couple of pictures of them in that post.  Put your cursor over the pics and you'll see who they are.

You and your sisters and brother are among the fortunate ones as well to have grown closer after the loss of your parents - how sad to have both of them gone.  That's a thought I can't even imagine at this point.

Lynda - thank you so much for your support through your comments, and know my thoughts and wishes are with you and your family.  And thank YOU for your comments - they mean so very much.

Ann

May 17, 2007 12:28 AM
Anonymous
Karen

Hi Lynda,

How touching it is to know that people care so much.  When I read what others are writing, even though they are addressed to Ann (except yours), I feel like they are friends of mine.  I'm reminded of these words:

"Friends are angels who lift our feet when our own wings have trouble remembering how to fly." - Unknown

You and your family are in my prayers.

Karen

Hi seester!

May 17, 2007 12:44 AM
#28
Robert Hammerstein -
Christie's International Real Estate - Hillsdale, NJ
Bergen County NJ Real Estate

Hi Ann,

I just read your tribute to your Mom post and wanted to tell you how touched I was.  Thankfully my Mom is still with me at 78 years old and I can't imagine not talking to her daily.  I lost my father almost nine years ago and I talk to him daily.  Losing a parent is one of life's most profound losses and so I feel for you in your sadness on Mother's Day.  No words can ever erase the pain but I wanted to tell you that through your words you have reached others and carried your Mother's love across the Country.  I'm sure she's very proud of you!  Thanks so much for sharing your story.

 

May 17, 2007 06:28 AM
Ann Cummings
RE/MAX Shoreline - NH and Maine - Portsmouth, NH
Portsmouth NH Real Estate Preferrable Agent

Hi Lisa - Thank you so much for reading my post and for your comments - I really appreciate that.   It was, and is, a huge loss, and it hurts every day.  The actual pain lessens somewhat over time, but the hole is never going to go away - not at all.  She's with me, and with all of us in my family, all the time, but it's not the same.  Days like Mothers Day, Christmas - which is her birthday, my birthday, and others just make patently clear she's not here anymore, and those days are sometimes hard to get through.  But get through them, we do.  My mom was 68 when we lost her - still so young.

Thanks, Lisa - your words mean alot to me and to my family.  One of my sisters, who commented above you, reads my posts periodically and I know my dad read this one, too.  So, they'll see your words and will appreciate them as I do.

Ann

May 17, 2007 08:58 AM
Robert Hammerstein -
Christie's International Real Estate - Hillsdale, NJ
Bergen County NJ Real Estate

Hi Ann & sister Karen,

Wow - you guys are so fortunate to have each other.  I'm sure I don't have to tell you.  I too, have two sisters and a brother.  Unfortunately for me, they don't live anywhere near me and my Mother.  It's so hard for my Mom and sometimes I just feel so lonlely not having them all around.  I'm so sorry that you lost your Mother at such a young age.  You're right - she was young for our times.  I thought my Dad was fairly young when he died at 70.  Family losses are so hard to accept when families are close.  I suppose we should look at how lucky we were to have them for the time we did but it just plain never is enough time when you love so deeply.  Once again, my heart goes out to you and your entire family.  It's so nice to see that you are all involved in the Active Rain family too.  That is really special and you are a really special family!  The love your Mom left behind is certainly not lost or forgotten - it's alive and well in each of you.  Thank you for sharing it with me too.  Warmest Regards to you all.

May 17, 2007 12:08 PM
Ann Cummings
RE/MAX Shoreline - NH and Maine - Portsmouth, NH
Portsmouth NH Real Estate Preferrable Agent

Lisa - Thank you for such a warm comment, and for sharing the words you wrote.  We're all a good distance apart, too, but we try to get together as often as we're able to.  I know what you mean about the loneliness at times - makes those times we are together that much more special.

Warmly,
Ann

May 18, 2007 12:54 PM
Susie Roscoe
Signature Realty Associates - Brandon, FL
Real Estate Specialist | Brandon, FL
What a BEAUTIFUL POST!!  Thank you for sharing about your Mom..and your Dad!  You do have a beautiful family and the memories are priceless.  I hope you sent this link to all your relatives so they could share in the stories...memories...and photos you shared with us on AR!
May 31, 2007 01:52 AM
Ann Cummings
RE/MAX Shoreline - NH and Maine - Portsmouth, NH
Portsmouth NH Real Estate Preferrable Agent

Hi Susie - thank you so much for your lovely comments - very much appreciated.  My family that has email and internet connections did see this post, and they were quite touched by it. 

Thank you again for your very kind comments!
Ann

May 31, 2007 04:46 AM
Anonymous
MELISSA POLING

 What a very precious tribute to your mother. My mom made her journey to heaven on 1/14/2010. She was 53 years old and was in a car accident. Tommorow is mothers day.......Oh how I miss my mom. She was the light of my life. She loved the Lord and put all her faith in him. Because of the faith she had and The faith I have now, I know we will be together forever one day. For those of you have lost loved ones, Remember, If you believe in the Lord and live for him, these seperations are only temporarily. He gave us this gift, He died for us, and because he rose from the grave we have life eternity. How wonderful this is......... Praise God.  For all those who read this Jesus loves you very much............   HAPPY MOTHERS !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

May 08, 2010 04:02 PM
#35