My Mother, Lenora Cooney. Words of Remembrance.
November 7, 2018 by Kathy Cooney Dobbs
When my brother, Walt passed away in 2010 and I stood to give his eulogy my eyes filled with tears & I couldn’t seem to speak - it was only when I heard my Mother call out , ‘Kathy, take a deep breath’ - I was able to collect myself and carry on.
That’s how it’s always been for me, my Mother has been the wind beneath my wings.
Right now , I’m missing the sound of my Mother’s voice, seeing her face, feeling her loving embrace more than words can say.
When I had to go into Mom’s room to tell her what the doctor said, “that there were no good options” , my head dropped to her lap, my tears streaming ; Mama reached out, patted the back of my head , & gently said don’t worry, honey; ‘it’ll be okay. That was my Mother! - comforting, consoling even then. And her last words so sweetly whispered on October 25 about her grandson, ‘Gavin said such beautiful things to me ‘
As one friend wrote, your Mother had love in her voice, love in her heart, she had a gift to make whoever she was talking to feel special. And indeed she did . No matter where Mom & I went- to the market, to the bank , to the thrift store the clerk or teller would always come from behind their desk or counter to visit with Mom, to give her a hug ; many times another customer would be drawn to Mom to engage her in conversation – a lonely woman , or man, or disabled child - Mother would always take the time to listen, & give an encouraging word, and tell them she would pray for the them.
Mom was caring and kind , gracious, giving , forgiving; and she
loved to laugh- in fact, Mama thought it was our responsibility to be joyful, that our Lord wanted us to laugh and not take everything so seriously. One of her favorite books in recent months was
Laughter Was Created for Days Like This- Prayers, Chuckles and Reminders That God Really Has Things Under Control.
Mom made everything fun, like when I was 8 yrs old , and Mom and I dancing the Polka all around the front room of our small duplex, the record would end and I’d say, ‘Mama, let’s polka again’, and round and round we’d go laughing out loud, or sitting on the floor cutting out paper dolls. Both Mother & I liked dolls, and in our later years would find much pleasure collecting vintage dolls together. Actually, Mom and I simply enjoyed each other’s company and enjoyed doing so many things together.
And over 50 years ago while I was still in high school, it was great because so many of my friends, and Walt’s friends , too liked hanging out at our house, some of those friends here today, because they liked being around my Mother , talking with her because she was such a good listener. Mom once said she never got to watch the end of any TV program because Kathy & her friends would come rushing through the front door 10 minutes before the show was over to tell her about whatever we were doing . Never once did Mom say, not now girls , or wait until the show is over, or I’m busy - she always made us feel whatever we had to share was of prime importance, and would give us her full attention .
We were a small family, my mother, brother and I, and Mom thought it would be more festive for Walt and me to have others join us on Christmas Eve , so she began inviting friends, relatives, and co-workers to our house for one of her fabulous Turkey buffets, exchange gifts and have a merry ol' time. Mom wouldn't get off work until noon on Christmas eve; I look back now and am amazed at how she got everything done so perfectly. I recall one year everyone wore House on the Prairie type clothing , and the only light in the house came from oil lamps. It was a sweet time. Mom made Christmas Eve at our house magical, and memorable, like she did everything . For several years Christmas Eve at our house became a favorite happening for Mom , my brother and me, and for many a friend.
From the time Walt and I were very young , Mother read poetry to us, poems about Wyken, Blyken and Nod sailing off in a wooden shoe, The Gingham Dog and Calico Cat, and Little Boy Blue - the sound of Mother's voice reading poetry every night was so calm and peaceful, her presence so reassuring it often lulled us to sleep. Because of Mother influence, and love of poetry, Walt and I grew up liking poetry, too. Throughout all our years Mom continued to read poetry to us, sometimes over the phone; or often she'd say, 'Kathy, sit down, honey, I want to read this to you. It won't take long', including one from Ted Malone's Scrapbook Mom had marked as the last poem she ever got to read to my brother and me when we were all together in 2009 – one that touched Mom’s heart about a young Mother setting out on the path of life, guiding her children along the way –
And the Mother said: Look up. Lift your eyes to the light. And the children looked up and saw above the clouds an Everlasting Glory, and it guided them and brought them beyond the darkness. And that night the Mother said, This is the best day of all, for I have shown my children God.
Mother always looked up , pointing toward our Father in Heaven, his beloved son, Jesus and the Holy Spirit – Mom had a deep abiding faith she gave witness to every day by the way she lived her life, through joy or heartache. Mom trusted the Lord would provide.
Mom has made her home in Clarkston for the past twenty five years , she would often say with endearment, Clarkston reminded her of Council Bluffs, where she was raised. Mother has been blessed with many close and cherished friends here; dear friends she loved very much, and shared so many wonderful and happy times with. Special times involving the Doll Club, Festival of Trees, Moose Races, Birthdays with the B.’s; Going to the Tin Can grocery store; and so many gatherings and get to-gethers, sometimes in her own beautiful backyard. Mom so enjoyed her backyard, watching the birds, and her solar lights at night. We called it Mom’s ‘Secret Garden’.
Whenever Mom looked back on the fullness of her her life , she would always say she had a wonderful life, a blessed life; it was a good time! And I say to Mom, being your daughter, it was the BEST time ! It was a party just being near you!
I love you , Mama more than words can say.
Heart to heart. Forever
and always.
