Mom, before she was one, with her man.
My mother died on Friday. She was just shy of her 95th birthday. It was in her sleep, the perfect way to go, since it has to happen somehow.
I confess I’m taking something of a philosophical view. The promise of long life as reward for obedience to parents was moving to the extreme. She must have been a very obedient daughter.
And from what I’ve heard, that wasn’t always easy. My mother overcame a whole lot of unhelpful influence from her upbringing.
I’ve sometimes thought that we spend half our adulthood unlearning half of what we learned growing up. I won’t go into details to undermine the reputation of my grandmother; she always liked me so it was easy to like her back. But I will say my mother’s distinctive positive attributes were apparently in diametric contrast to what she’d had modeled.
A people lover to the extreme, Mom never met someone she didn’t treat like she’d not known for a long time. Once, when stuck for hours in an Arizona airport because of some system delay, Dad told me later that she was in her glory, talking to anyone and everyone, finding out things in common, chance mutual acquaintances, and just anything interesting. And what isn’t interesting?
And hospitable? Entertaining strangers was never strange for her. Once, when Dad got pulled over and ticketed for speeding by a lady-cop, Mom struck up a conversation that touched on the personal. Turned out the lady was living with her boyfriend and my mother asked why she didn’t get married. The policewoman said marriage is just a piece of paper. Mom came back with, “Well, this ticket is just a piece of paper!”
But that wasn’t the end of it. Mom learned that the woman was driving a great distance to come to work. Mom offered their guest room so she could sleep at their house weeknights and just to go home on weekends. That lasted for about a year, rent free.
As I understand it, Mom’s mother didn’t particularly like people, and never had company.
So, the stories we’ll be gathering to tell and hear later this week won’t just be stellar, but double so, for what she had to unlearn.
And as for living so long, what with my dad still being with us at 97, I suppose I have good genes. But I’m not so sure I was always as obedient to parents, so the promise may not hold.
We’ll see.
Our Lives Together
Its About Life
10:59 pm
May God bless you as you gather together to remember a remarkable life.
11:04 pm
So sorry for your loss, and so pleased for you having had such good parents. I will be praying for you and your family. Take care.
11:14 pm
Precious woman… I can hardly wait to meet her. I’m sorry for your loss, and at the same time, happy for her gain. I bet she’ll meet my dad up there, and they’ll have a few laughs. It’s beyond our wildest dreams, being in our real home. God bless the Moore family and your dear mother.
11:15 pm
God be with your family as you walk through this time of grieving.
11:22 pm
Hyatt,
Blessing over you and your family for the loss of a wonderful Mama.When your parents know their final dweling place and can’t wait to go it seems an easier transition for when they pass! wonder how we will be valued or thought of???
Blessings, A
3:22 am
I’m so sorry Hyatt. Thank you for this beautiful tribute to your mother– may you and your father and family be greatly comforted in her memory, and the hope of seeing her in eternity.
4:14 am
Thank you for this tribute, Hyatt. Judy and I share your feelings of loss. Your words reminded me of the fact that there’s more to life than material gain. INI.
4:43 am
Our prayers are with the Moore Family…your Dad and you and yours Hyatt. I knew your Mom via email a few years back. Remarkable servant of Christ who prayed you into the kingdom and truly “never met a stranger”!
5:15 am
Sorry Hyatt, yet rejoice she is in a better place, in God’s glory….
5:15 am
Hyatt:
Shalom to you and your whole family. My prayer is that you will know the abundant comfort of Jesus that HE dispensed especially to those who were broken hearted, or in need of a “Comforter”. In fact He said I will give you another Comforter and HE will abide with you forever.
I did not know your Mom, but I already feel that we shall know each other even as we are known.
I am here for you, and if this home going doesn’t interfere with our schedule I will meet you Tuesday. However please know that I will postpone at your notice.
Gratefully redeemed and in HOPE of the resurrection! Rev. 14:13 is key.
Moses
5:35 am
Thanks Hyatt for sharing about your Mom and her overcoming obstacles to lead a life of joy and wonder. Peace and love to you as you manage your way through these next couple difficult weeks.
6:06 am
Very sorry for your loss Hyatt. Our sympathies and prayers are with you and the family. Can’t wait to hear more stories. I love these. Blessings!!
6:09 am
I am sorry for your temporary loss of your mother who sounds like she was a great blessing to her family and neighbors. How wonderful.
6:09 am
A beautiful tribute to your mother, Hyatt. Thanks for sharing some of what you saw and valued in her. May your gathering and collective remembering bring joy in the midst of the loss.
6:23 am
Sorry to hear about your loss Hyatt. May our Lord strengthen you to walk through this coming season. God bless you brother.
6:29 am
Beautifully written about a beautiful person. Peace over your family, Hyatt.
7:07 am
You reminded me of the loss of my 97-year-old mother a few years ago. May God continue to comfort you with good memories.
The modeling I received from my grandparents for being a grandpa was dismal. I cannot remember a single “eye contact” conversation with either one of my grandfathers. Neither of them had ever told me a story by the time I was twelve and we left the Netherlands for good. I determined I would NOT be that kind of grandpa, and by God’s grace, I have invested the time and effort and enjoy a great relationship with my all eight of my grandkids.
7:08 am
An inspirational tribute to your mother. How blessed you were to have her influence and be passing it on to others each year with your gifts for art, writing, and friendship. Your family is in our thoughts.
7:09 am
Hyatt, greetings from Ireland. You have my sympathies for the great big hole left in your life. I am, however, smiling as I think of your mum: the angels driving that particular chariot will have been exhausted when they got back to paradise. I expect she asked them every detail about themselves and now counts them amongst her friends. By now she will be well settled in her mansion, reunited with other family and friends. Someday, we don’t know when, but we know we will join her there. I look forward to you introducing me to her: she sounds amazing! God bless you richly in these sorrowful days, my friend! With every warm greeting and heartfelt prayers. Ken
7:17 am
Hyatt, I am so very sorry for your loss. Your tribute to your mother was touching and beautiful. What a remarkable person she was,which of course I already knew given that she raised such a wonderful son. The qualities she possessed inspire me to be kinder and more welcoming to others. May God bless her and your family as you go through this emotional and difficult time. Special prayers for your dad. He will miss her most I am sure. Much love to you from John and me.
7:21 am
Hyatt I am sending you a hug and my condolences. Yes you have healthy genes. Your parents have long quality lives. I am sure you have more wonderful stories you can share about your mom, since she engages with everyone she meets. It sounds like she lived her life to the fullest, and not merely existed. You gave such a beautiful tribute to your mom.
7:39 am
Oh Hyatt ….. Blessings to you and your family. Sounds like Mom was an interesting person. Your words about unlearning and learning are so true. Happy she waited for u to return from Spain.
Your tribute to her was wonderful .
7:48 am
Bless your mom, your family, your faith!! She is now waiting to see you in heaven with her love, the wonderful aroma of her cooking, her joy, her open arms, and her Lord, which is ours and yours as well!! There is saddness of her not being at home, but JOY knowing she has gone home to her true Father in heaven, a job well done!!! AMEN! I hope we can all feel as wonderfully joyful when it is our time to go home! Love to all the Moores! Lisa Hoyt
8:17 am
Thank you, Hyatt. I loved hearing about your mother and am praying the Lord of all comfort will fill your family with His peace and grace.
8:25 am
Hyatt, our sincere condolences and blessings for you, Anne and family.
From your tribute, she lives on through her wonderful works, and the lives she touched.
Love, always lives on.
Mary
8:31 am
Dear Hyatt,
It sounds like your mother modeled being a true Christian by her sincere heart and Love of strangers and people anywhere there was a chance to connect. The fruit of the Spirit is Love, and it sounds as if God filled her with His heart of Love in spite of her own upbringing. Thank you for sharing. God bless you and your family during this time of honoring her life.
Jim
8:43 am
The world is a different place now, and I can’t help but think that Heaven is a different place now too. Thanks for the loving tribute. God bless you.
9:14 am
What a lovely tribute to your Mother. May God bless you and your family at this time.
10:10 am
You are so much like your mother Hyatt- a lover of people and their stories, a generous heart. May your heart be filled to the brim this week as you share stories and precious memories. Hugs to you all!
10:15 am
A beautiful tribute to your dear mom, Hyatt. She bestowed upon you a rich inheritance that Heaven smiles upon. May the sweetness of her presence linger with you in the days to come, as those precious memories become more vivid and real. Celebrate the gift she was to you and your family. Our prayers for peace and comfort your way.
10:18 am
so sorry for your loss. it is so hard to have a parent pass. so glad to hear it was in her sleep. I’ll be praying for you and the family…
11:33 am
If many are willing to share such anecdotes, you will find that the gathering in your mother’s memory will be a highlight in your life! Your post is a reminder to all of us to say now what we will, no doubt, wish we had shared with our loved ones during their lives- even if we think they surely know our recollections. Warmest regards to you and your family, Hyatt.
12:38 pm
Hyatt,
I got to love on Ann this am in church & sent it to you too.
What a blessing to have your mom & dad for so long in your life. By the way I love being 70 & am giving myself more permission to relax more in the Lord.
PTL she went in her sleep that is my confession & with a smile on my face.
I know all the kids are hurt so much because gramas are for loving & always our favorite person.
I know you all have peace & your mom is so pleased with all of her loved ones. Hugs, Lexie & Dan
2:37 pm
Dear Hyatt,
We were sorry to read about the passing of your mum. She must have been a marvelous person to have left all those special memories and certainly seems to have made the most of every opportunity to live her life for God´s glory. Please pass on our sympathy to your father too. We pray for all your family that God will give you His comfort, knowing that she is rejoicing even more now!
un abrazo. (From Spain)
3:58 pm
Hyatt I am sorry for your loss. What a wonderful tribute to your Mom. She sounds like she was a virtuous wife. You have definitely risen up and called her blessed. I am thinking and praying for you and your family.
Trish
5:36 pm
Dear Hyatt,
What a lovely tribute to your dear Mother.
Oh, aren’t we a blessed people, knowing God has assured us, those who have received Jesus as Lord and Savior, that we will be in heaven with HIm for all eternity?!!!
This is our solace when those we love so dearly have gone home to be with the Lord.
We will grieve the loss but not like those who have no hope. (1Thessalonians 4:13)
Lord bless you and your family as you celebrate your Mother’s faith and life.
Love to everyone,
Sara and Frank
8:10 pm
I’m so very sorry for your loss Hyatt. Although it sounds like you have great memories and wonderful genes thanks to both your parents,. My thoughts are with you. Please take care.
11:28 pm
Dear Hyatt, I just read your post about your Mom. Having lost mine, @ 91, just a short 2 years ago, I know your pain. What a beautiful girl she was. Isn’t it fun to have the most beautiful Mom in the world?! I wish there were more people roaming around in airports or wherever, scattering friendliness and shattering isolation. I pray for comfort in faith and joy in the memories for you and your family.
8:00 am
I almost skipped over your post this morning as I was running a little short on time…I am glad I didn’t! I am sorry for your loss but thankful for your moms son…
9:37 am
Hyatt, we are so sorry to read of the loss of your dear mother. We will be praying for you and your family as you adjust to not having her present with you down here on earth. May all of your hearts be greatly comforted as you gather together to celebrate and honor her life – a life that was so well-lived in our Lord.
In His love,
Lisa and Luis
10:32 am
Dear Hyatt and Anne,
It was with sorry that we read about your Mom’s death but can you imagine now she can see and is enjoying everything about around her. Makes me want to shout. She is up there get together a party for us all. She was a blessing to our family. When we moved to CA we went out to their house and were more than welcomed. Every time we saw her she was planning a party. She lived the story of a virtuous women in Proverbs 31. She was special and then some. I know your family will miss her but think of how happy she is now in heaven with her beloved Jesus. Your Dad will be sad but maybe he has a time when he will go and be with her. The only thing that I can say–Can you only Imagine?
Love,
Becky and Bill Jones
11:45 am
Dear Hyatt, As I too lost my mom this year, your reflection and tribute to your mom seemed to resonate even more so. Nancy and I are sorry for your loss but thankful you had such a wonderful role model. And now your blog has given me another role model, and I suspect many others feel the same. Thank you for sharing!
6:31 pm
Hyatt,
Sounds like a life VERY well lived.
You mother must have been very proud of you.
I got a HUGE chuckle out of the Police-Woman story.
This must be especially difficult for your father…..he is in my prayers in a special way this evening.
Larry
10:15 pm
My condolence to you and your family, but I am happy for her she is In a better place with the Lord enjoying eternity .
10:15 am
Hyatt I benefitted by your Moms hospitality and experienced her love of meeting new friends every where she went. She also kept your bookmarks in her purse and handed them out as she introduced you and your work and The Lord of her life. I am blessed by knowing your parents and their beautiful family.
9:36 am
……the scriptures also tell us “With Long life will I SATISFY you!”. Ask ourselves, “am I satisfied YET? ” or is there more I want to do in the Kingdom of God, set captives free, heal the sick, preach the Gospel….the good news! Your Mom sounds like a lady I would like to have known!
2:07 pm
Hyatt –
Such a nice tribute to your fine Mother! What a blessing to have passed in her sleep…. Yes, I can relate, my own turned “90” last 12/29/12, the next morn I found her on the floor in a bad state .. Suddenly, many things going wrong. She blessed me all her life and in her passing, waiting several days later until early AM, 1/2/13. I think of her often, each and every day. I remember the good times, her kind assistance, her smiles & terrific demeanor. I know it was her time to go. You are a wonderful, unique soul, your Mother continues as a part of you… My prayers & warm thoughts to you & Anne.
bruce b
3:59 pm
Enjoyed your comments about your Mom, Hyatt. Al and I remember when your Mom and Dad stayed with us on the occasion of Hyatt Jr’s wedding here in Langley. What fun we had with them. It will be wonderful to see her again one glad day. Love to you both. Al and Gwen
3:33 pm
hyatt and anne,
looks like the service for ‘Mom’ will be a lovely one if any part of it is based on your tribute here. you will be in my thoughts tomorrow. sending a hug, mimi and joe
5:19 pm
Hello Cousin Hyatt,
Don’t know if you remember me as I was one of the younger cousins of the Lute Morton branch. I’m a Baird. Enjoyed your tribute. Has brought back memories of your family’s many visits to Strathmore. My heart is with your family as they go through your loss. Hope to reconnect with you all sometime. If not in this life then the next.
I should also mention that I’ve enjoyed following your career. Take care.