The magic of Spirit is that we are not bound by the limits of a human body
When time, we get the thrill of spreading our wings wide so we may fly
Taking flight as breath
Being one Spirit

My Mom

I have a special smile reserved for my Mom whenever I think of her and I think of her often. I know now more than ever just how much I loved her for being exactly who she was and the lessons I learned through my relationship with her--some harder than others. You see she had an amazing gift when she was alive; she called it "mother's intuition" because she knew just by looking at a woman that she was pregnant and the sex of the baby usually before it was ever confirmed by the woman. She did not fully acknowledge her gift in her time and she encouraged me to do the same to protect me from the criticism of others. I had my own ideas of what my future held for me and she had her ideas. The path I walk today was not a path she envisioned for me. We were often at odds for years even though we loved each other dearly. Those were the most challenging lessons.

I wished we had more time to spend together in this lifetime. However, she died of breast cancer at the early age of 54 which is just a few years older than myself. I recall when she first found the lump in her breast six months before ever having it checked out by a doctor. This discovery was during a very stressful time in her life so she reasoned that she did not have time to pay attention to it. Her younger brother had just passed away from cancer and she felt her duty was to take care of others, her family, her grandchildren and everyone else but herself. Even knowing that my family has a history of cancer, my mother would say the lump was probably from stress, or soap or something of that nature likely to spare us from any worry. This was her way of letting us know that she would take care of it . . . later. When she finally went to the doctor her worst fears were confirmed.

After the diagnosis, the next four years went by fast. First surgery to remove the breast and lymph nodes, rounds of chemotherapy, then physical therapy. Having seen into her future, we re-connected during this time and started cherishing the time we had left together. We focused on the positive, finding the good in each other, and realized that each one of us had our own journey. She lost her battle after four years when the cancer metastasized to her bones.

Our time together was so brief that even today it still seems silly that we even argued over matters that at the time seemed so significant. At first, I mourned her passing feeling that I could have loved her better just the way she was back then asking for no more. Spirit has opened my heart so that I could fully understand this dynamic love between us through my work and beliefs. I felt that I needed to forgive myself and my mother so that there were no more unresolved conversations left between us. The appreciation and gratitude I have for her now is overflowing because even with our past disagreements I truly would not change any part of my life. Every minute of her time with me was a gift to me because it helped me define the person I am today. She helped me to treasure my independence and gave me courage to live my life the way I am meant to.

Several women in my family also died of cancer beginning with my grandmother, NanaMae, who died of cancer at age 57, my mother at age 54 and recently my sister, Deborah, at age 52. They all chose a similar life path even though their individual journeys were different. All of these women in my family lived lives that ended much too soon. I am grateful for their presence in my life which allowed me to have accepted them exactly as they were given our past histories. I truly would not change anything about my past because it is what inspired me to seek out my life's work. All in all, the best way I have learned to honor my grandmother, my mother, and my sister, is to continue to live my life as one with Spirit every minute of the day.

As with all mothers and daughters, we had our disagreements that at times seemed insurmountable. Today, I know how proud she is of my achievements and my work with Spirit. My relationship with my mom became her greatest gift to me as it helped me align with my life's journey and my choice to live my life in service by helping people connect in the way they desire with Spirit. I miss my mother's presence on earth and I respect her life exactly as she lived it.

"Honoring"— A poem for my Mom

I was taught as a girl
my job was to take care of others
Marry and have children
be a good housewife and Mother
always give to others
My Mom always went without
this was after all what Mothers
are suppose to do
She would smile and go on
against all odd
no matter what
Breast Cancer took her life
at the young age of 54
I miss you Mom
You have taught me well
for I have learned that in order
to give to others
I am to honor myself first
Take care of myself first
which then allows me to give more of
myself to others
Maybe this way I have a chance
You are always in my heart
I Miss and Love you Mom.............
Goddess Claire

If you have a story or poem about your mom or someone special, and would like to have it posted, please email it to
Claire@Goddessofspirit.com as it would be an honor to add your story below

Your Submissions

"My Mom and I were talking about me dating when I was younger. I have never forgotten these wise words of hers. "Look for the inner beauty in the person you are with, for that is what stays with you, not the outer body." With every Lady, Woman, I date, I look for the beautiful soul they are. I am lucky to have had my Mother in my life. I love you Mom, I miss you even today. I know you are with me in Spirit and I appreciate that you watch over me from above."

Love your Son, Bob McCulloch

"I lost my GrandMother to Cancer 2 Years ago, I Love her very much and miss her everyday. I wrote a poem in honor of my GrandMa, Karen....

" ~"Lady"~

"My heart pounds like a drum, because of her, for she saved me.My eyes can see beneath the surface, because of her, for she loved me .I am who I am today because of her, for she loved me.

As the suns light beams down upon the earth through the clouds or trees, its like she's saying "I'm here."That soft warm breeze the caresses your face on a bright afternoon, its like she's saying "I'm still here."And when tree limbs dance in the wind, its like she's waving and saying "I'm always here."

Every time I smile today I remember, Love is Forever knowing that she is everything and everything is she."

"In Memory of my GrandMa" Rachel Garnick

"Learning that my Mother had breast cancer created emotions in every part of my body.
She went into the hospital to have her breast removed. I flew to San Diego to be with her. I hear the song, “Wind beneath my wings” by Bette Midler and cry. I arrive at the hospital just as my Mother is coming out of surgery. I'm with her and take care of her. I'm in shock that this is happening to my Mother. This can’t be; is my mother going to die?

My mother is now 84 years old and has been a survivor of breast cancer for 18 years. I am so thankful that she is still here in my life and I cherish her every day."

Oceanside, Ca – Joyce Ford

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Breast Friends in Portland, Oregon (www.breastfriends.com)

Is an organization to help both women and men dealing with breast cancer.