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Ode to mom…
February 9, 2007 | 13 Comments
It’s been a busy week. In the class I am teaching for pre-service BEd students we discussed adaptive /assitive technologies and how new, emerging hardware and software can level the playing field for so many students. It was kind of prophetic.
I used the example of my mom. Since being disgnosed with ALS almost three years ago, my mom has taken advantage of various communications technologies to maintain her dignity and quality of life, even as her body failed her.
The first manifestation of ALS with mom was in her voice. She quickly lost the ability to speak, so phone calls were out. She adopted 21st century strategies to stay in touch. She learned how to email, share photos, etc. so that she could maintain contact with her many, many family and friends.
In fact, her circle of friends grew – just like our young people today. She became an advocate and a counsellor for many people in similar situations – people she had never met who lived thousands of miles away! She became a 21st century digital immigrant.
My mom was a literacy champion. She loved reading and teaching. She taught me to read at a very early age. I remember watching her teach adults from our community to read at our kitchen table through the Laubach program She was keenly interested in what I was doing with technology and literacy. She loved to learn. I always said that she should have been a teacher, but she instead chose to remain home and raise three children. After we kids had all left the nest, she became a teacher’s aide at the school where my dad taught.
Through all her struggles with ALS, God blessed her. As her body failed inch by inch, he kept her right hand strong. Mobility in her “mouse hand” allowed her to maintain contact with us. Her emails became shorter, but I know she loved receiving notes and pictures from all her family and friends – new and old!
She was a woman of tremendous faith and courage. While it took tremendous effort, she wrote me a note a couple of days ago. “Jesus loves me and you, and he will take care of us”. Her faith inspired so many.
There’s a new angel looking down on my family today. My mom slipped quietly and peacefully (thankfully) into heaven as she slept early this morning, my dad asleep by her side.
This weekend I am with my family as we celebrate her life. It will be filled, I am sure, with tears and laughs. But for me, it will be filled with memories of a beautiful, faithful servant of the Lord who, in the words of Il Divo’s tribute, “made me all the things I am, and all the things I’m not.”
I love you Mom.
technorati tags: education, technology
13 Comments so far
My condolences on your Mom Whipple. She sounds like a lovely lady and I am glad you get peace from the knowledge that she loved God and is with Him now. I am happy to hear some of your pleasant memories. Sayin a word for you tonight bud.
~Heidi
My thoughts are with you, Jeff. Sounds like you and many others were blessed to have had her in your life. Beautiful post.
My condolences Jeff. A mother’s love and influence never dies or wanes. She will always be amongst you.
Anna
My thoughts are with you all. She was a good friend of mine from the time we started school. I loved your mom very much, and I could see Gods love shine through her every time we met. With all my thanks to her our Teddies for Tragedies has grown into a wonderful project, bringing smiles to many children all over the world. It was your mother who arranged for the first shipment of Teddies to go to Haiti and from then on she encouraged all of us to continue. I can not say enough about her love and compassion for others. What wonderful memories I will carry the rest of my life of not only your mother but your grandmother as well.
It was a Blessing to know Leah all my life.
To the family of Granny I offer my deepest sympathies from myself and all the people at the forum that she belonged to. She was an inspiration to us all and always had an upbeat attitude and helped many people through their journey with ALS. She will be missed by all of us in the ALS community. Al Pettit.
Thank you for writing this Jeff. I will always remember the
journey she had taken through ALS. My memories of Leah Elaine,
will always be of a wonderful friend, whose Love for Christ, made her a light, in all she done for others. I have thought a lot lately, of the many laughs we had together. Even in the midst of this disease, she had a wonderful sense of humour. When I asked her to tell me lately, what the specfics were, when praying for her. She wanted courage and that she had. She spoke with such endearment of each of her children and grandchildren and Bruce. I loved my friend Leah and now love my memories of her. Leah and Bruce had such a love for one another, through all of this. What a blessing to know she has a voice in Heaven, this very day! God is merciful. May the Lord grant each of the Whipple family, peace and contentment in Christ.
Brenda
Condolences to you and your family.I was so very sorry to hear about your mom.We were in the same graduating class all those years ago and, even though I haven’t seen her for many years ,I still think fondly of her.
I had the pleasure to know Leah through her work with special needs children. Her love and commitment to these children made each of them realize they were indeed a part of a beautiful masterplan and helped to make them see that plan unfold before their eyes.
Leah may not be with us in body any longer, but she will always remain a part of our lives in a much more lasting way. The memories she helped sculpt in each of our lives will never be forgotton.
She will be loved forever!!
Dearest Jeff,
Please accept my sincere condolences. My thoughts and prayers go out to you and your family. Take care!
I was very sorry to hear about the death of your mother today. Your post was a beautiful tribute to a mom who loved well and was well loved. Very moving! No matter when or what the age of the child, it is hard to loose a parent! I lost my dad almost 9 years ago, but I still feel his presence very strongly. We were very close. I think of him as my special angel as well. I am a strong believer in angels and have them all over my house.
Dear Mr. Whipple and Family
My condolences to you and your family on the passing of your mother. What a wonderful post you have created for her. Our prayers to you and your family.
Rose & Robert Levi & Family.
This poem was sent to me today and all I could think about was Leah’s “dash” and how she impacted so many people with her life.
Paste the following link into your browser, turn the volume up and let it bring a tear to your eye like it did mine.
http://www.the-dash-movie-poem.com
Wow. Please accept my condolences to you and your family, Jeff. Your mother definitely lived to help others. Your post makes me remember my own mother who passed away in 1998. She was also a teachers’ aide after raising three kids. Your mom is in good hands now and will bless you and your family every minute of the day.
Allen, D6 Tech Mentor
Through this disease, people find the strength to live, aspire others to love more openly, slow down the pace of their fast lived lives and activities. They teach us to hug more, laugh, and cry more, and to treat each day as a gift. Our lives, our bodies, our health and mobility are precious. Breathe in life and exhale stresses of our chaotic world. Although life goes on. Our lives are changed forever- our personality are uplifted and softer ,after dealing with ALS. We grow quietly inside, and we learn the true meaning of Life. With ALS as devastating as it is, we are blessed with the time to say things to loved ones, that sudden death robs from us., mend bridges that are long overdue , travel where we would never have dreamed of, and embrace the time we had the children we created, the grandchildren that were blessed to spoil, and the spouses and friends that hold our heads and spirits up high with a much needed shoulder to cry on.
God Bless your family and I wish you all the best in your journey of memory and recovery of your mother’s death.
Your Friend Always, Carrie Smith Moncton ALS Coordinator
382-3806