Mom went on to glory this afternoon after a long fight with Pancreatic Cancer. Dad, Terri and I were holding her as she left this world for a much better place. God healed her cancer, just in a different way than we had originally hoped. She is free from pain now and in the presence of Jesus. Oh, to be so lucky. She was a great woman who left a tremendous mark on the people she knew as well as ones who never met her. She will be missed greatly, but we will see her again in Heaven! Please continue to pray for our family as we go through the days ahead...I love you Mom!
Mom's Memorial Service will be 10:00 AM on March 15, 2008 at All Saints Old Catholic Church in Clarksville, TN. Please visit Mom's Caring Bridge Site (http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/pennycastruccio) for more details.
*************** Thank you Mom ***************
What can be said of a lifetime. When put into days, we can actually get a glimpse of the amount of time we have to make an impression on this world. Mom spent 23,791 days on this earth and made the very best of each of them. Touching many more lives than the number of days she had. In her 30 years with the American Red Cross she trained over 1,000 lifeguards. Countless lives have been saved because she answered her calling as a teacher. The years she spent working with special needs students at Elizabeth High School were priceless as she was able to share her love and compassion for some who had never been invested in by others. I first learned the true meaning of the power of a hug when Mom was an Official Hugger for the Georgia State Special Olympics Games in 1985…more lives touched.
Most importantly to me, she touched my life in such a special way. Through 3 years of soccer, 6 years of football and 3 years of wrestling, Mom never missed a game or a tournament. I can still remember riding the school bus to a wrestling tournament three hours away and there was Mom, following the bus the whole way to make sure I had someone cheering for me. My senior year in High School, the offensive line was nicknamed “The Bears”, Mom’s nickname was Mama Bear. She was there for all of us and made the stands louder at every game.
Mom was always there for me. Mom was always the mediator and comforter whenever any of us had an issue to resolve. She had an amazing way of bringing people together, even if they didn’t want to work things out. It cracks me up that, after 12 years in my career, Mom still summed my job up as, “he works with computers”.
Mom might not have understood or completely agreed with everything I have done throughout my life, but was always my biggest fan. Through all the phases and changes I went through, Mom was always there. She didn’t ask me why, she simply said, “I love you”. For that I am blessed and truly thankful.
I miss her more every day, but rejoice in knowing I will see her again in Heaven. Thank you for all you have ever done for me Mom. I love you!
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4 comments:
Sorry to hear about your mom, James. We will definitely keep you and your family in our prayers.
God is good... All the time!
I am so sorry for your loss. We will be praying for you and your family.
James, I am so sorry to hear of your loss, but as you indicated, it is Heaven's gain. Remember, "Ye, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death. . . thy rod and thy staff they comfort me" I have new meaning to this passage since John's Mom went to Glory several years ago. I had always thought it referred to those who were passing, but I realized then that she was not in a valley of the shadow of death I was. His rod and staff comforted and strengthened me then and I know they will you now. You and your family will be in my prayers.
James, this is such a bittersweet moment knowing your mom is sitting beside Jesus but also not being able to visit her whenever you want. But someday, you'll be right there with her again. Just remember the hugs and the wonderful memories she's left on your heart and you'll be able to pass those on to those you touch along the way. We are praying for you and your family that your hearts will heal. Matthew & Evelyn
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