Rosie

My mom was born in 1924...she lived through a lot of major milestones in our country's history: the Great Depression, the bombing of Pearl Harbor and World War II to name a few. Her favorite music was from the Big Band Era: the Andrews Sisters, Tommy Dorsey, and Glenn Miller.

After the US was bombed by the Japanese and officially entered into World War II, the women were called upon to fill the roles of the men who were sent overseas to fight. The movie "A League of Their Own" is an example.

My mom was a riveter in an airplane factory in Dallas. You've probably heard of "Rosie the Riveter." Well, that was my mom. In their factory, the bomber airplanes were built...B24's and B52's. Growing up, we saw the rivet test plate she made...I guess they had to pass a test to make sure they could rivet straight!

In my mom's obituary, it was mentioned that she was a member of Rosie the Riveters and helped build B24 bombers. When we were at the graveside, one of the funeral directors mentioned that there would be a presentation by the military. I wasn't sure what he was talking about...none of us were.

But after the Lord's Prayer, a Marine came under the tent, and presented a United States flag to my dad, "from the President of the United States" in grateful appreciation for my mom's service to her country. I can't remember all of the words, but it was very touching. He saluted my dad, and then marched away. What an honor, and what a surprise! It made us all very proud of our mom.

My Heart Hurts

This has been the hardest week of my life, and it probably won't get easier for a while. As most of you know, my mom, Wanda Fayne Bush, passed away on Sept 21, one week ago today. She was 84, and had been in very poor health for years; I'm glad she isn't in pain anymore, but that doesn't mean that I won't miss her, and long to have her company again.


The week is a blur, really; in some ways, it feels like it has been years instead of days. I got to see my mom for the last time six days before she died. I am so thankful for that week, and I will never trade those memories for anything. On Sunday, Sept 14, Tyler came down to Jal, and we watched football with my mom, my dad, and my brother, and I grilled steaks. I got to feed her, because she was unable to feed herself. My mom was an avid sports fan, and we have watched football on Sunday afternoons for as long as I can remember.


I left the next day because I had to catch a flight home to Denver. I gave my mom a long hug and kiss, and told her that I loved her and would see her soon. Whenever I had to leave, she would always cry and ask me when I was coming back home again. One of my New Year's resolutions was to spend quality time with family this year, and I have been able to spend quite a bit of time with my mom and dad.


It will be really weird not having her around, like a void you'll never be able to fill. You get used to little things, like walking into the den, and she's in her chair, and you say, "Good morning, Mom." Or picking her brain about events that happened years and years ago. Even though my mom's health was fragile, her brain was sharp as a tack. She was an intelligent and strong woman.


The holidays will be hard this year, but we will make it through, and be thankful for the time that we had with our mom, and also be thankful and grateful that we still have our dad. I will never take time with my family for granted again. I'll write more about her later...