Most of us knew you as Mimi. One person knew you as mom, others Claudia, and even the Claud-Master. But one thing everyone has in common is we all knew you as a blessing.
Mimi, you were so unbelievably compassionate. Your heart and generosity had no limits. You door was always open to anybody….as long as they wiped their feet first because you had a white carpet. I always knew I had a place to stay whether it be for a few minutes just to visit, a few hours where we would watch Dance Moms marathons together and you would praise my dance teachers for never making me cry like Abby Lee did to her students, and even for a few months when I needed a place to go. Your door was always open, and your love was always there. Growing up I spent a lot of time with you. Your home was my home away from home. I remember every Friday night you would take Brett and me to McDonalds. We would eat, and then spend hours in the play area. And to be honest, I truly believe you enjoyed it more than Brett and I did because that was just the type of person you were. You loved bringing joy to others.
You were a giver, no doubt about that. Every single charity weather it was for starving children, or abused animals, you always donated. You gave money to your church every time you attended mass, and anytime someone needed something, you always were the first to give. And when you weren't able to give at the moment, you still made an effort to make it known that you eventually will be able to give. I’ll never forget my 18th birthday. I knew you were up to something because you started to laugh before I even fully opened my birthday card. Little did I ever know I was opening up a card with an IOU inside. You laughed about that for hours, and to be honest so did I. You ended up telling me later you had money in the bank, you just forgot to go earlier and by the time you remembered you were already late enough as it was. And anyone who knew you well enough knew you were late for everything.
I always pictured you as someone who was going to be around forever. I mean who can say they were pronounced dead for 20 minutes and then came back to life? Who can say they’ve had their last rights read to them not once, but twice? Who can say they proved every single doctor wrong when they said “I don’t think she will make it through the night” “She will never be able to live on her own again” “She will never drive again” You did that.
After that happened you would often ask “Why am I still here?” “Why did God let me live?” And after I thought about it for a minute I remember you always saying to mom “You know, I’m getting older, I live alone, my husband has been dead for years now, and you really never know what's going to happen. But all I want in this world is to live long enough to watch Amanda and Brett grow up.” And when I look back on everything that has happened since then I realize your time on earth was not up yet simply because Brett and I were not grown yet. After you were out of the hospital and back home, that June you watched Brett graduate high school, and you watched me perform in my last dance recital. That September you watched Brett enter his first semester of college. And that October you watched me purchase my 3rd car, but also my first car I purchased on my own without my mom's help. You got your wish. A wish that you truly deserved. And I really believe you were kept on this earth for an extra year and a half to make sure you got that wish.
Even though you learned at a very young age what independence felt like after losing your husband to melanoma, you wouldn't have made it through without the amazing support of all your friends and family. Mom had me and Brett to give you life back from what you had lost. Mrs. Dube, was so good to you for visiting you in the hospital, and taking you to and from appointments when no one else was able to. Mrs. Tatzle, always included you in all her family events, parties, and gave you a chance to get out of the house. And Maryann, was the the best friends you could have ever asked for. She gave life to your Friday nights, gave you the joy of breakfast with Santa. Every year she had us over for Christmas Eve, and shes always been a second grandmother to Brett and me. I cherish them just as much as you did. And God, sure blessed me with one of the most precious grandmother's I could have ever asked for.They say that the ones who pass are finally at peace, and it's those who are left behind that are the ones to suffer. And boy are they right. Grieving is a selfish stage that everyone has to go through but in time will get better. As hard as it is for me to say goodbye to someone who was such a big part of my life, I know you are with Grampy who you've missed terribly for 21 years, and if you can't be here with us I wouldn't want you to be anywhere else but with him.
Mimi, this isn't a “goodbye”, this is a “see you later”, because I know one day we'll meet again. But until that day does come, I know you’ll be watching over me, and everyone else. I love you, and everyone loves you. Thank You for showing me what unconditional love felt like.
