Dateline Dayton — This past Sunday was Mother’s Day. Since we are still caring for Pauline’s brother, we didn’t make it to early Mass, and so we were leaving for church when Jon (our youngest son) arrived.

He had a flower and card for his mother. However, she wasn’t too happy. If we had gone to the previous service, as we usually do, we would have been at breakfast. She felt it was just his way to spend as little time as possible with her. She did invite him to join us at church. But he claimed he wasn’t dressed for church. In his defense, he did, at least, do something.

After Mass, there was a pancake breakfast at church. We took advantage. We knew the restaurants would be very busy. This worked out because I am still having dental problems.

And it was easy for my brother-in-law Joe because he didn’t have to navigate a crowded room.

While we were at church our daughter, Lisa, who lives in Middletown, called. She said they were nearby, in Kettering, and would stop. Shortly after we arrived home, she and her family came. They stayed for a few hours

Our son Bill and his family (who live in Cincinnati), called. They would be here about 4 o‘clock. This was a real surprise since they had just been here last Sunday when they gave Pauline a flower for Mother’s Day.

We never expected him and Julie and Madi to come again this Sunday. They stayed for a couple hours, which was very nice.

Darlene and Christopher, both of whom live out of state, called. At the end of the day, Mom heard from or saw all her children.

She Sounds Perfect

Next Monday will mark the sixth anniversary of my mother’s passing. She was 87 and very active, when she went for a routine medical procedure. Unfortunately, she was one of the fewer than 1 percent who experience complications. The procedure was performed on Friday. She had surgery on Sunday, and she died on Monday morning.

My mother was an exceptional person. I realize many feel that way about their mother. I cannot recall her ever raising her voice, saying anything negative about anyone, or serving us anything we didn’t like to eat (which might not have been best for us later in life), even if it meant cooking different meals.

When my youngest brother was in his teens, she returned to the workforce, as the secretary of the local Catholic high school. She served in that capacity for 18 years, and loved every minute of it. All of the principals she had the privilege of working under loved her. Dedicated to her job, she could be counted on to find anything they needed.

After retiring, and until Dad started having health problems, they spent a couple months in Florida each winter.

After Dad’s passing, she was the chauffeur for many of her elderly friends, taking them to social events and doctor appointments. Every Saturday night, after going to church and getting something to eat, there was the gray haired ladies heated (they played for money) card game.

She was always doing something for one or more of her children, grandchildren, or great-grandchildren. It’s tough to be an orphan, no matter your age.

Today, Mom’s rich, caring, loving life is represented by just a small dash on her headstone.

Mr. Hennessey may be contacted at pmhenn@sbcglobal.net