Things I Want To Tell My Mom

Posted on April 12, 2016 by Laurie Buchanan

The calendar indicates that the 25th anniversary of my mom’s death is approaching. So many changes have taken place in that span of time. Every day I think of things I want to tell my mom:

Four Generations: mom (left), maternal grandma (middle), me (right), my son (middle)

FOUR GENERATIONS: my mom (left), my maternal grandmother (middle), me (right), my son (middle)

I miss you. Deeply.
Not a day goes by that I don’t think about you.
I’ve written a book that’s coming out in November. I think you’d be tickled pink!
At 58, it’s hard for me to fathom that I’ve surpassed your lifespan by 5 years. I’m still galled that you died at the age of 53. I hate cancer!
I love you more than tongue can tell.
I’m a better person because of your example.
Thank you for instilling in me the love of reading.
And while I can’t possibly begin to know the anguish I put you through when I ran away from home at the age of 15, I want you to know that I’ve leveraged that experience and turned it into positives.
You were right, Len is a “keeper.” We celebrated our 36th wedding anniversary last month.
You’d have a blast with a cell phone—especially the FaceTime feature!
Your grandchildren have grown into wonderful adults.
Every now and then when I look in the mirror I see a glimpse of you in my features and I smile. I’m extremely proud that you’re my mom.

What would you like to tell your mom?

When Pigs Fly!

Posted on May 10, 2010 by Laurie Buchanan

Jockeying for Position by Laurie Buchanan

When Pigs Fly by Laurie Buchanan

Yesterday—Mother’s Day—I thought a lot about my mom. She died in 1991 from breast cancer at the age of 53. Although she was small in stature, she was one of the biggest people I’ve ever known. She taught me by example that how we live impacts how we die. She lived a life of courage, beauty, and integrity—she died in the same manner. And she was hysterical! When I was growing up her way of saying “no” was, “When pigs fly!” The quirky way she said it took the edge off of her denial to my request … and trust me, it was always for my own good.

Outside my office window at HolEssence I keep a bird feeder. We buy seed in 50 lb. sacks and go through it quickly. Watching these birds, I thought, “These guys are pigs … little pigs that fly!” Last evening as I was enjoying (okay, pigging out on) the full bag of sinfully delicious Hawaiian Kettle BBQ chips and red licorice that my son gave me for Mother’s Day—my favorites—somewhere in the distance I swear heard my mother’s voice, “When pigs fly!” Trust me; it would have been for my own good. Had I listened, I wouldn’t still be waddling around like a plump goose this morning.

Heading Home

Posted on March 9, 2010 by Laurie Buchanan

Bahamian Sunset by Laurie Buchanan

Tomorrow we head home. The term “home” is used all the time, but what does it really mean? Maybe there’s as many different meanings as there are people. For some it’s a geographic location … the place they were born, grew up; or perhaps the place they currently reside. When my mom was alive, wherever she was is where I considered home. Does that mean when she died I no longer have a home?

Being married to a now retired military man meant that we moved a lot. Does that mean we changed homes each time, or does it mean we simply changed geographic locations? It’s been said that “home is where the heart is.” I have the sneaking suspicion that once this journey’s over—this journey we call life—I’ll be heading home.

Listen with your heart,

Laurie Buchanan

“Whatever you are not changing, you are choosing.”
~ Laurie Buchanan

Tuesdays with Laurie

"Whatever you are not changing, you are choosing." —Laurie Buchanan

Tag Archives: Mother

Things I Want To Tell My Mom

When Pigs Fly!

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