Tuesday, May 5, 2009

Cinco de Mayo--A Whole Year Has Passed...


It was May 5 a year ago that our Mary lost her battle with cancer down in Douglas. She died on May 5th and was buried on the day that is Mother's Day is celebrated in Mexico. This Sunday is Mother's Day in the U.S. I will be remembering my wonderful mother and our Mary on Sunday.

So much has happened in the past year and it has gone by very fast. We were down in Douglas over the Fourth of July and Labor Day. It seems so strange not to see Mary in the kitchen making tortillas for us. I miss those homemade tortillas, but more than that, I miss Mary. She was always there for our family. I know my Aunt Teresa misses her and that it has been hard to be in that big old house on 14th Street with all of the memories.

Mary taught me how to fix all of the Mexican food that I make for the many occasions at school and at home. Every time I make red or green chili or beans I think about Mary.

Mary's family is still a part of our family and always will be. We appreciate how much they help Teresa down in Douglas.

I continue to be thankful for having this wonderful lady in my life for many reasons. She was a simple person without many worldly possessions, but she gave so much to all of us, particularly Judy and I. I attribute much of who I am today to her influence in my life. A year passes so quickly anymore.........


6 remarks:

N-Search of Peace! said...

Through our love and appreciation of our dear ones and our departed ones, our lives are enriched by the way we carry ourselves in life.
"Our" Mother's give that more in ways than we as Mother's consistently strive to do...
Cheela?...you are so doing that not only with K and P and your Grandson C but, to the thousands upon thousands of little people that you teach every school year!
Love and Peace...
N-Peace

Anonymous said...

I feel blessed to have known your mom AND Mary (not to mention you!). I thank God for Mary teaching you how to cook all those wonderful dishes . . . I don't however, remember you making any of her wonderful tortillas :( Maybe that could be next on your list. I love you lots! Happy Mother's Day to all the wonderful Mother's out there!!!!!
Love & hugs,
Nancy

Unknown said...

I am so thankful that Sheila felt up to writing about our dear Mary. I know that Sheila is not feeling well today and I appreciate that she went out of her way to remember Mary. Mary was like a second mother to Sheila and I as we grew up in Douglas. She continued to influence our lives as we became adults and moved away from Douglas. Thank God - Sheila learned how to make all of Mary's wonderful dishes. Unfortunately, I did not learn how to cook from Mary! Our family appreciates Sheila's dishes and always tells me to bring a salad! Mary touched every Scott is some positive way. She was a woman of few words, but her quiet gifts were many. I have talked with mom about Mary off and on all day. I know she misses her and Margaret each day. It is hard being the last member of a large family. My mother handles each day with grace. We are all blessed to have been touched by Mary, Margaret, and the ongoing love of my mother, Teresa. I think mom is a mother to so many. She doesn't realize what a gift her positive attitude and gentle nature is to others. The last thing that Mary said to me before she died was, "Take care of your mother." Even when she was dying, she was thinking of others. Miss you, Mary.

Anonymous said...

Mary was so special to our family. Cecilia and I spent many summers in Douglas. Mary made the best flour tortillas and the best soup made form leftover roast beef. Luckily, Sheila knows the recipe for the soup.

As adults when we went to Douglas for family reunions, the Phoenix Scott girls, namely Cecilia & me, would hide the tortillas from the Park girls. We were territorial when it came to Marys' famous flour tortillas. And she always put up with our shenanigans. We loved her vey much and miss her. Mary dedicated her life taking care of other people. I think we can safely say, " St. Mary, pray for us.

Sheila, thanks for writing about "our dear Mary," and I hope you are feeling better, too.
Love, Marion

Kerri and Cameron said...

Wow, a whole year has passed? It seems like it was only yesterday she was smiling about Cameron & giving him hugs and kisses. I, too, miss Mary's tortillas and smiles. She was that "third grandma" to me & Patrick. I love that no matter what you did, Mary always had a smile and a tortilla for you (but those coke's in the fridge were HERS). :-) I am thankful that as Scott's we've had such strong women to guide us in our life journeys. Thank you to those who smile down upon us, who look out for us everyday...

Anonymous said...

Mary was wonderful! She loved all of us. I can see her face now when the tortillas were hidden by the Phoenix group. She put up with a lot from all of us. What a gracious lady she was. All of us are better for how she treated each one of us.

Mary was always special. I went with Teresa to visit her and she was such a "trooper" as Teresa would say, even though you knew she didn't feel well.

Love,
Pat