By Joe Mazzella
It was the middle of summer, yet my Dad was already getting ready for winter. He had dumped a load of firewood from his pickup truck and it was my job to put it in the wheelbarrow and move it to our winter woodpile. I was a skinny 12 year old and it wasn’t easy work. I was loading the wheelbarrow for the fifth time when I felt like I was being watched. I looked up and saw my Mom smiling at me from the porch. Her eyes sparkled and the look on her face made me feel warm and happy inside. I couldn’t define that look in her eyes then but I realize now it was unconditional love. Just seeing her look at me like that made me want to be the good, kind, and loving son she saw there.
That wasn’t the only time I saw that look in Mom’s eyes either. Countless times growing up I would catch her staring at me with that same gentle smile and those same sparkling eyes. Each time I did I felt so loved. Each time I did I felt that same warmth and happiness.
Sadly just as I was becoming a man my Mom was diagnosed with cancer. She fought it long and hard for years, but finally when I was only 25 years old she passed away. Over the years since then I have missed her every single day. I have missed her warm smile, sweet words, musical voice, and gentle touch. But most of all I have missed seeing that look of unconditional love in her eyes when she looked at me. Sometimes I go outside, look up to the heavens and talk to her. And when I do I can still feel in my heart those loving eyes looking down on me.
We are all called to Love. We are all created in Love. God Loves each and every one of us unconditionally. And all God asks of us is that we Love each other the same way. It isn’t always easy but it is possible. My Mom was living proof of that. May you always give your love freely and unconditionally. May you always be the good, kind, and loving child you were meant to be.
