My mom left this world for her eternal home at 43. I was 13. We were very close—she meant everything to me, and I meant everything to her. Growing up, we spent so much time together. I was home from school about 48 times a school year. Don’t judge. I am so glad I had that time with my mom, because I only had 13 years with her. We spent our time shopping for clothes and going to the diner, or watching soap operas (All My Children and One Life to Live), game shows, or Dark Shadows.
Certain times during those 13 years stand out. I can envision them just like they were yesterday. One time, my mom was in the bathroom looking in the mirror, and I was right next to her. She was complaining about how she looked. She said something like, ” Oh, I look awful or something, but she was definitely not happy with the image she was seeing in the mirror. While looking up at her reflection, I said, ” Oh, Mommy, you are so beautiful, you silly goose! Silly goose is something I would say from time to time. I will never forget it. Who says that anymore? I never hear anyone say it.
Here is my Facebook post for her May 24 birthday in 2020:
Mary Bellissimo-Degregorio
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I have been nominated by Amy Rindfleisch to do a 7-day Flood Facebook With Art Challenge. This is Day 2. Today is my mother’s birthday. She passed away when I was 13. I got in the car to go to the cemetery and quickly went on FB to post my Day 2 photo. While thinking of a photo to post to celebrate her birthday, I had an epiphany. I was thinking, “What photo should I post to celebrate her today on her birthday?” It popped into my head that it should be a goose picture because I used to call her a silly goose. I remember one specific time when we were standing in front of the sink in our bathroom, looking in the mirror, and my mom was unhappy with how she looked. I said, “Mommy, you are so beautiful, you silly goose!! Then all of a sudden it dawned on me…the gosling picture on the water looking at her reflection!!! Wow!! I got all choked up and teary. I definitely feel it was a sign from her. So here is the “silly goose” looking at her reflection!
Through the years, my mom has sent me many signs. Last Saturday, August 15, 2006, I was going to Whole Foods. While traveling, I was on the phone with my friend Lois. I was talking about how right now we look the best we will look because every day we are aging, getting more wrinkles, more sunspots, etc. She agreed. I told her I hate looking in the mirror now. I told her I look terrible, and she said so did she. I got to Whole Foods and then decided to go into Hobby Lobby. I needed to pick up one little thing. I found it, and then we just meandered down the aisles, admiring all the lovely home decor. While walking down one particular aisle, I stopped in my tracks. I stood there in the aisle at Hobby Lobby, tears streaming down my face as I saw a wooden door hanger.
What did it say? Silly Goose. I couldn’t believe it. Just a wooden, dark sage green door hanger with the words Silly Goose and a wooden goose attached. I, of course, bought one and, all tear-stained, went to the cashier. I excitedly told her what happened, took my Silly Goose sign, and went to my car. I sat, caught my breath, and sat with the feelings a bit. Then I decided to buy another one to put on my mom’s grave. So I went back into the store. I took the last one. So mine and my mom’s were the only ones, like they had been sitting there waiting just for us—two silly “gooses.”
I went back to my car and sat a bit again, and then it hit me. I had been talking to Lois about not being happy with my image in the mirror. Wow. JUST LIKE MY MOTHER! My mom had wanted me to know she was with me. That she is always with me, and she responded to my conversation with Lois with, “Welcome to the Silly Goose Club.” A door hanger hangs on your door and is like a welcome. It could have been a pillow, a plaque, or a glass that said Silly Goose. No, it was a doorknob hanger, which is a sign of welcome. My mom was there, letting me know she sees when I look in the mirror and am not happy with my looks. She is standing right there by my side saying, “You’re beautiful, silly goose, welcome to the Silly Goose Club.”
Wow, just wow.
Basically, she sees me all the time. I love you, Mom, and I miss you terribly.
So that was my most recent sign. I have others, all just as mind-blowing. Our loved ones are still with us. Their bodies died. They did not. They were/are more than their bodies. They are souls that never die.
I hope you enjoyed this. Please leave me a message on Facebook or in the comments on this page. Thanks for reading.
Here is the door hanger. I put a pic of my mom and me in it. I don’t have a photo of us together from when I was the age I was in that memory.
