Lisa Gallagher

7 years ago · 2 min. reading time · 0 ·

Blogging
>
Lisa blog
>
The Circle of Life

The Circle of Life

My stepdad spent 2.5 years putting together a video compilation of my mother, her life with us, her life with him and with her grandchildren. The video was priceless.  

After mom passed and we were probably still in shock he asked us if we wanted to watch the video, of course, we all said yes. We all gathered together in the living room sitting near her then empty bed to watch the video.

As I watched the video happy tears began to fall because I saw a part of her life she shared alone with my stepfather- she was silly, smiling and so radiant. It's amazing how we become ourselves and forget the constant worries of life when we are away from our kids and all the stress we leave at home. I always worried that mom didn't enjoy life to the fullest because she put so much emphasis on being a mom first. The video spoke volumes of who my mother was beyond being a mom. She was a free spirit who loved the outdoors, the ocean and being silly. 

As we continued to watch the video a photo appeared of my mom holding my daughter who was an infant at the time. Mom was looking down at my daughter with pure love in her eyes. When the photo of mom holding her granddaughter came up the song, "The Circle of Life," began to play. I couldn't help myself and I said out loud to my family, "This is definitely the circle of life." I went on to say, "Look at mom holding baby Lauren, and now baby Lauren is a grown adult who will be having a baby of her own!" I actually had chills when the photo appeared.  Below is a photo of my daughter and grandsons (my son's children) approximately 3 months before my daughter received the news that she was pregnant. My mom made it to my daughter's wedding last August which was special too. It was my mom's last outing before she became bedridden.  So many happy memories from that day because our entire family was together for such a happy occasion. 

The Circle of Life

My daughter is due to deliver in less than 4 weeks and we couldn't be more excited. The song, "The circle of Life," keeps replaying in my head with such fond memories of my mom. Mom was admired and loved so much by all her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.  

Mom passed along a few great messages throughout our lives

  • Never go to bed angry
  • Don't hold a grudge
  • Remember, life is short; appreciate each day
  • Life's not a party but enjoy the blessings that greet you as if it were a party
  • Family is important- we learned this by example not by mere words
  • Put others first, someday you may need others

Soon we will gain another family member, we have a lot to celebrate and we will be sure to remember my mom, a woman who always put others first with grace. Every time I remind myself a new life is on the horizon, it lessens the pain of loss. This is a very happy and exciting time for all of us. My mom would be so proud of her granddaughter- she takes after her grandmother in so many ways. That's the circle of life, isn't it?!

"It's the circle of life
And it moves us all
Through despair and hope
Through faith and love"

In honor of my mom and our new grandbaby soon to be born. 





"
#Lauren #Circle #August #Below #Life
Comments

Lisa Gallagher

7 years ago #30

Thanks for reading this Lyon Brave, this buzz has a special place in my heart. Since I wrote this my daughter had a baby girl and she's now 6 months old! She's a blessing and I believe the circle of life was completed once again. I was talking to my sister today, and I used to sign every card or letter I wrote my mom with, "Love you to the moon and back." My kids knew this and my son & his wife bought me a box with those words on it and it lights up like stars shining but you have to turn it on. While we were chatting (for almost a half hour) suddenly the lights came on. There is a switch and no one turned it on. Hello mom??? ;-)

Lisa Gallagher

7 years ago #29

Maja Vujovic thanks for reading :)

Lisa Gallagher

7 years ago #28

#39
oops pushed enter before I was done Qamar Ali Khan, she was my best friend. She was an awesome mom to all of us as many mothers are! Thank you so much for your kind words and words of wisdom. We are very excited about the upcoming birth, I probably wont be able to resist posting a photo or two after he or she is born!!

Lisa Gallagher

7 years ago #27

#39
HI Qamar Ali Khan, I had no idea that mother is the most precious and priceless gift in your faith, that's so enduring to know!!! I will have to remember what you said, "If someone asks you to define love, just say mother." I can say that with sincere truth in my heart!

Qamar Ali Khan

7 years ago #26

Very emotional, heart-touching, and so real story Lisa Gallagher!. I'm just speechless. Mother is the most precious and priceless divine gift. In my faith, we believe that the heaven is under the mother's feet, and the father is the key to the heaven's gate. These two relations are the most important. The love of mother is the best representation of sincere love. If someone asks you to define love, just say "mother". I understand what you have lost and how you feel. As far as her own personal activities are concerned, she looked a marvelous human being, cheering, cherishing, happy, enjoying the life despite of the pains of life, loving wife, caring friend, and, especially, a thankful person. Being thankful to God and gratitude are the core qualities of a great and down to earth human being. I'm sure you and your siblings have inherited all the good from your mother and they are transferred to your kids as well. I know you Lisa and I'm sure you're a big taker of your mother's good nature. My all the best wishes to all of you and I pray your awaited little guest may become the reason to raise the happiness level for all of you.

Lisa Gallagher

7 years ago #25

#37
Thanks for taking the time to read my buzz Vincent Andrew and for the kind words!

Lisa Gallagher

7 years ago #24

#35
Thanks Charles David Upchurch and it's great to see you on beBee!

Lisa Gallagher

7 years ago #23

Thanks for sharing my post Ali Anani!

Lisa Gallagher

7 years ago #22

#30
Thanks so much Diane Schultz!

Lisa Gallagher

7 years ago #21

#29
I'm glad this was moving Ali Anani, that was my hope. I miss her dearly but will be forever grateful for the love and wisdom she enhanced our lives with by the way she lived her own.

Ali Anani

7 years ago #20

And you moved me Lisa Gallagher with your mother's simple rules of life and her wisdom. Memories don't die and your mother is remembered by you, grand children and the video. Life goes in circles and what sticks is the memory of people like your mother who taught you wealth of wisdom.

Lisa Gallagher

7 years ago #19

cc: Sarah Elkins

Lisa Gallagher

7 years ago #18

#25
Thank you Rod Loader, that means a lot!!

Lisa Gallagher

7 years ago #17

#24
Thanks Deb Helfrich, that's my favorite Wedding photo of my daughter with her nephews (our grandsons). We can't wait to meet our new grandbaby! Thanks for your comment :)

Lisa Gallagher

7 years ago #16

Gerald Hecht I meant to add I'm glad you found relevance in "over the horizon vs. pain of loss," It really does put things into perspective!!

Lisa Gallagher

7 years ago #15

#19
Thanks Laura Mikolaitis, I know she would not want us to be sad. She was so happy when she found out her granddaughter was pregnant. She will always be with us in spirit and in our hearts. I agree, Dean's quote was so fitting. Nice to see you on here!

Lisa Gallagher

7 years ago #14

#18
Thank you, David Grinberg. I appreciate your kind sentiment!

David B. Grinberg

7 years ago #13

Many congrats on the good news about your family, Lisa Gallagher! And excellent life lessons from your wonderful mother, may she rest in peace.

Lisa Gallagher

7 years ago #12

#15
I agree Deb Criveau's comment just before bed last evening and it gave me happy tears. He sure did draw a great analogy. "She lives in you Simba," priceless quote.

Lisa Gallagher

7 years ago #11

#14
Deb Criveau, your words were moving, "time allows our hearts to grow, creating new spaces for new loved ones and experiences." I can't agree more! I lost my father when I was 11 and I thought my entire world died with him. As time progressed, I made new friends, got married, had children of my own and I was able to talk about him with laughter or smile, the tears did disappear. That's what is helping now, knowing we will soon be greeted by yet, another new family member... smiles and one more person to love! Thanks for your comment. :)

Lisa Gallagher

7 years ago #10

Thanks for sharing Javier C\u00e1mara Rica, your a gem!

Lisa Gallagher

7 years ago #9

#11
Thanks Gerald Hecht, appreciate! Thank you for reading my post :)

Lisa Gallagher

7 years ago #8

#6
HI Anees Zaidi, your comment was very moving. She really did leave us all with so many happy memories, lessons and morals. I'm so very thankful she was my mom. Thanks for your comment and reading my post! Oh, thanks for sharing too :)

Lisa Gallagher

7 years ago #7

#5
The lion king was one of the best 'cartoon movies,' I've watched Dean Owen. How cool that you watched it with both of your daughters. Funny that you brought that up about reminding me of my mom.. the thought has crossed my mind. Great quote. Thank you for reading this story!

Lisa Gallagher

7 years ago #6

#4
Hi Laurent BOSCHERINI, thanks for reading and leaving such a nice comment. I love how you wrote, "we start and end with the family, and the compass that guides us. So true!

Dean Owen

7 years ago #5

It was 20 yrs since I watched The Lion King with my eldest daughter Jenny, and just last week I watched it with my youngest, Ashley. I am so happy for you that a short month from now, your pride will add a new member and I am sure some of the new baby's characteristics will remind you of your mother. "She lives in you Simba" Thanks for sharing this very personal journey Lisa.

Laurent Boscherini

7 years ago #4

Thank you Lisa Gallagher for sharing your moving and beautiful story. A lot of things may change us in our life , but we start and end with the family, no matter what we have to live, as the compass that guide us, link to our past, bridge to our future to define who we are, for most of us.

Laurent Boscherini

7 years ago #3

Thbeautiful you Lisa Gallagher for sharing your moving and beau post. A lot of things may change us in our life , but we start and end with the family, no matter what we have to live, as the compass that guide us, link to our past, bridge to our future to define who we are, for most of us.

Pascal Derrien

7 years ago #2

#1
u are welcome another great everyday story from Lisa Gallagher :-)

Lisa Gallagher

7 years ago #1

Thanks for sharing this special buzz Pascal Derrien!

Articles from Lisa Gallagher

View blog
6 years ago · 4 min. reading time

Beauty and the Brain

It's no wonder Mid-life can hit some of us harder than others. Let's face it, many of us gain weight ...

6 years ago · 2 min. reading time

Some Random Quirky Things About Me. How About You?

When I was young my mother used to tell my brother and I that we could go out into the woods behind ...

6 years ago · 3 min. reading time

Never Be Afraid To Be Your Authentic Self

So much is written about being your Authentic Self and I've always wondered just how many people are ...

Related professionals

You may be interested in these jobs

  • Pennsylvania Legislative Data Processing Center

    Database Administrator

    Found in: Appcast US C2 - 1 day ago

    Pennsylvania Legislative Data Processing Center Harrisburg, United States

    Title: IBM DB2 Database Administrator · Department: Legislative Data Processing Center, Distributed Systems Department · Reports to: Supervisor, Distributed Systems Department · Location: B48 Main Capitol, Harrisburg, PA · Office Hours: Monday – Friday, 8:30am – 5:00pm · Job Over ...

  • Forge Global, Inc.

    VP of Business Development, Custody

    Found in: Jooble US O C2 - 13 hours ago

    Forge Global, Inc. San Francisco, CA, United States

    The Role: · Reporting to the EVP, Custody, the role of VP of Business Development, Custody will be a key player on the Custody team, helping to drive pipeline development and revenue within Forge's Custody organization. Acting as the lead salesperson, the individual in this role ...

  • University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center

    Director, Research Planning

    Found in: Lensa US 4 C2 - 1 day ago

    University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center Houston, United States

    The primary purpose of the Director position is to provide strategic, creative long term and daily scientific and operational leadership for the Cancer Neuroscience Program. The Director oversees all aspects of research, financial, and programmatic administration. The Director, u ...