It was Mother’s day weekend, and life was especially good. With our kids scattered across the country, the thought of traveling to Colorado to spend a couple days with our daughter, Amy seemed like a particularly excellent idea.
I stopped in an airport restaurant for breakfast and crossed paths with one of the friendliest waiters I’ve ever met. Lamar obviously loves people and loves his work. As he delivered my coffee and spinach omelette, we started to talk about Mother’s Day. Lamar’s face lit up as he described his amazing mom. He referred to himself unashamedly as a, “mama’s boy.” You could just tell he was a great kid.
A few minutes later, Lamar returned to my table and asked me about my mom. I casually responded, “she is in heaven.” There was no way to predict the crocodile tears that suddenly began to stream down my face with those four simple words. Mom has been gone sixteen years, and most of my tears now are tears of gratefulness to have had such an incredible and fun influence in my life. I remember wondering, shouldn’t there be a time limit on tsunamis of tears?!
I could sense Lamar’s pain, thinking he had upset me. He sat down next to me, patted my back and gently assured me that it was OK to cry. I didn’t have the guts to tell him his words are quoted almost verbatim in my most recent book, Grief Survivor~ 28 Steps toward Hope and Healing. I didn’t have the heart to tell him, through the mascara dripping down my cheek, that I spend much of my life speaking and writing to help other people find hope after loss. I doubt he would have believed me anyway!
Lamar’s words reminded me that it really is OK to cry; and it’s OK to laugh– no matter how long it’s been.
If you’re missing your mom, a beloved child or anyone else special~ I hope you’ll come across an unexpected angel like Lamar, right when you need him most.