My Mother
Published on
By Livia G. Gerardi
Over two years ago I stood in front of a crowd of grieving people and listened as the speech I wrote in honor of my mother was read aloud. On my lowest days, I reread my speech and wondered what I would change, with my fresher perspective. Though I agree with most if not all of what I said, here’s what I would say now, given the chance.
When asked to describe Kassia Gerardi, most people’s first words would be “brave” and “strong”, yes, my mother was both of those things, but I don’t like the idea of her only being known for the way she faced her cancer. She was more than her cancer, something she proved daily.
My mother was patient and accepting. She was caring and thoughtful. My mother was the kind of mother written about in stories. Someone I had the pleasure of growing up with, that so many people had the pleasure of meeting.
Two years ago, as I stood there, I realized that no matter how isolated I may have felt, I was not alone. I was not grieving alone, I would never have to grieve alone. My mother touched the lives of so many people.
My mother may be dead but she is not gone. She made a big enough impact that she will never be gone. She lived to create memories, memories for us to hold on to. Every day with her by my side was a memory.
There are days when I can hardly believe my mother ever existed and some days when I can hardly believe she is gone. There are days when I’m happy to have my family and other days when it doesn’t feel like it’ll ever be enough with her not there.
But through all of this, there is one thing I am sure of. I will never get sick of calling Kassia Gerardi, my mother.