A photograph and a memory capture the love between a mother and her child

Janine Schorsch, left, knows she has been blessed by the life of her late mother Vivian Wedig. (Submitted photo)

(In anticipation of Mother’s Day on May 10, The Criterion has invited readers to share favorite stories about their moms. Here is one of our readers’ stories.)
 

By John Shaughnessy

The photographs of a mother and child often become more precious through the years, and even more so for the children whose mothers have passed from this life.

There’s something in such photos that make people wish they could see their mother’s smile again in real time, hear her laugh and feel her embrace.

That closeness shows up in a photo that Janine Schorsch shares, one that captures her and her mother Vivian Wedig.

There is also one special conversation that remains vivid in her memories.

“So many times, I heard from my mother, ‘I do everything for God.’ For 90 years, that was a part of literally every conversation,” recalls Schorsch, a member of St. Teresa Benedicta of the Cross Parish in Bright. “In her 91st year, it changed to, ‘I just want to be with God.’ Apparently, she was ready, but God wasn’t.

“After months of stating that she was ready to ‘go to heaven,’ she began to blame her children for still being here, saying, ‘I would be gone if you weren’t all praying for me to stay.’ This became a standard statement with every visit.”

Schorsch tried to convince her mom that all she wanted was what was best for her.

“Finally, one day, in frustration, I told her, ‘Mom, I am not praying for you to stay!’ Taking her hand, I prayed out loud, ‘Lord, if you want my mom now, please come and take her,’ followed a moment later with, ‘Well, Mom, you’re still here. I guess God’s not ready for you yet.’ ”

Everything changed months later when Schorsch’s mother entered into hospice care.

“It was time,” Schorsch shares. “As her six children sat with her each day, we naturally shared numerous stories from our years with Mom. A lot of laughs and tears filled those days. Finally, Mom was granted her heartfelt desire to go home to God.”

As Schorsch looks back on her life with her mom, the photographs they shared, the conversations they had and the memories they made together blend into a prayer of thanksgiving and hope.

“My prayer is to follow the example of my mother—to give everything to God and to go to him at the end of life. I pray that the stories shared by my children reflect a life of service and love. I pray that in their moments of frustration with me, the love we share triumphs.” †