Refuge of the Weary
My mom loved animals. She used to bring home stray cats and dogs and they would live with us until we found them a home. She would often bring in injured birds, as well. She worked at a pet store and as a volunteer for an animal hospital in Oak Park, and she used to bring home animals when the pet store couldn't sell them or when the hospital had reached capacity. At any given time, we would have baby raccoons, pigeons, crows, squirrels, and many other forest creatures sharing our house with us.
At my mom's memorial service, the pastor's message included some quotes from our neighbor Ellie about my mom:
"The image that came to Ellie first was Teri as a lover of animals. 'Strays,' Ellie said, 'seemed to sniff out Teri's front door. She'd take them in and love them as a child.'
Ellie said, 'It was rare when a cat, dog, ferret, snake, rabbit, rat, hamster, gerbil, mouse or bird wasn't following Teri around the yard or climbing on her shoulder. She could train any animal to eat from her hand. Teri especially cared for hurt and 'unlovable' pets. When she worked in a pet store,' Ellie said, 'Teri brought home the animals that had lived in cages for too long, who hadn't gotten homes soon enough. Teri cared for their neuroses and 'bad habits,' and with her love,' Ellie said, 'they became lovable.'
Ellie had a second memory of Teri. 'Teri was never happier than when she had children clinging to her. As the 'world's greatest babysitter,' it was common for Teri to have a toddler on each hip and another wrapped around her ankle as she managed to prepare peanut butter and honey sandwiches at the same time.'
Ellie explained that it 'was also common for children to leave Teri's house begging to stay. There were so many toys to play with. There were always crafts to make, a yard to play and dig in, and there were four great playmates to play with.'
'Teri taught Marcus, Luke, Peter, and Kaylie what it means to share.' Ellie believed that it 'couldn't always have been easy for them to let the babysitting bunch play with their toys every day. But the curly haired quartet was always so generous with their possessions.'
Ellie's remembrances match family recollections to a 'T.' Teri was at her best, family members said, when she was with children; and also at her best when she could care for others, especially those who were sick or in need."
Memories are unique in that the good ones always seem to be clearer than the bad ones. I believe that, no matter how popular or famous we are, and even if we make huge mistakes in our relationships, if we touch those around us even for a moment, we will always be remembered for that moment.
Even though my mom had many problems and made many mistakes, I will always see her holding two kids while making peanut butter and honey sandwiches.
My mom loved animals. She used to bring home stray cats and dogs and they would live with us until we found them a home. She would often bring in injured birds, as well. She worked at a pet store and as a volunteer for an animal hospital in Oak Park, and she used to bring home animals when the pet store couldn't sell them or when the hospital had reached capacity. At any given time, we would have baby raccoons, pigeons, crows, squirrels, and many other forest creatures sharing our house with us.
At my mom's memorial service, the pastor's message included some quotes from our neighbor Ellie about my mom:
"The image that came to Ellie first was Teri as a lover of animals. 'Strays,' Ellie said, 'seemed to sniff out Teri's front door. She'd take them in and love them as a child.'
Ellie said, 'It was rare when a cat, dog, ferret, snake, rabbit, rat, hamster, gerbil, mouse or bird wasn't following Teri around the yard or climbing on her shoulder. She could train any animal to eat from her hand. Teri especially cared for hurt and 'unlovable' pets. When she worked in a pet store,' Ellie said, 'Teri brought home the animals that had lived in cages for too long, who hadn't gotten homes soon enough. Teri cared for their neuroses and 'bad habits,' and with her love,' Ellie said, 'they became lovable.'
Ellie had a second memory of Teri. 'Teri was never happier than when she had children clinging to her. As the 'world's greatest babysitter,' it was common for Teri to have a toddler on each hip and another wrapped around her ankle as she managed to prepare peanut butter and honey sandwiches at the same time.'
Ellie explained that it 'was also common for children to leave Teri's house begging to stay. There were so many toys to play with. There were always crafts to make, a yard to play and dig in, and there were four great playmates to play with.'
'Teri taught Marcus, Luke, Peter, and Kaylie what it means to share.' Ellie believed that it 'couldn't always have been easy for them to let the babysitting bunch play with their toys every day. But the curly haired quartet was always so generous with their possessions.'
Ellie's remembrances match family recollections to a 'T.' Teri was at her best, family members said, when she was with children; and also at her best when she could care for others, especially those who were sick or in need."
Memories are unique in that the good ones always seem to be clearer than the bad ones. I believe that, no matter how popular or famous we are, and even if we make huge mistakes in our relationships, if we touch those around us even for a moment, we will always be remembered for that moment.
Even though my mom had many problems and made many mistakes, I will always see her holding two kids while making peanut butter and honey sandwiches.
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