2 January 2016 - VALE BETTY HEWETT

VALE BETTY HEWETT

G'day folks,

As most of you know, my mother died on September 3. However, today is her birthday. She'd have turned 90, so I thought I'd honour her. My brother and I both gave a eulogy for Mum at her funeral. My brother, Gerry, gave an amazing summary of an incredible life. Me? I cut to the chase as I do when I write my books, and said what I thought was meaningful. Here is what I said ....

AS AN AUTHOR, I MENTOR AND TEACH WRITING TO A HOST OF PEOPLE. OFTEN, I’VE SAID TO MY STUDENTS “DON’T GIVE YOUR WORK TO YOUR MUM OR YOUR DOG. YOUR MUM WILL SAY IT’S GREAT WHEN IT’S NOT, AND YOUR DOG WILL LICK YOU ANYWAY.”

I LIED. MY MUM WAS MY BIGGEST SUPPORTER. SHE READ ALL OF MY STUFF, AND WAS A GREAT REVIEWER.

I’VE BEEN BLESSED IN LIFE WITH SOME GREAT CLOSE FRIENDS. TODAY, WE CELEBRATE THE PASSING OF ONE OF MY CLOSEST.

I’VE GIVEN A FEW EULOGIES, MADE SPEECHES AT WEDDINGS, BEEN BEST MAN NINE TIMES AND WRITTEN SPEECHES FOR POLITICIANS ... BUT THIS IS A HARD ONE

WE ARE HERE TO CELEBRATE THE LIFE OF SOMEONE WHO DID IT TOUGH, BUT ALWAYS FOUND THE TIME FOR OTHERS.

WHEREVER SHE IS NOW, AND I HOPE IT’S BY GEORGE’S SIDE, I BET SHE WILL BE …

GIVING HER LAST DOLLAR TO SOMEONE WHO NEEDS IT

COOKING A MEAL FOR SOMEONE WHO IS HUNGRY

OFFERING WISDOM TO THOSE WHO ARE LOST

HUGGING SOMEONE WHO FEELS UNLOVED AND LONELY

WRAPPING A BLANKET AROUND SOMEONE WHO IS COLD

HOLDING THE HAND OF SOMEONE WHO IS FRIGHTENED

CUDDLING A BABY WHO IS CRYING

SUPPORTING SOMEONE WHO HAS BEEN TREATED SHABBILY

LAUGHING WITH TEENAGERS AND KIDS

GIVING SOMETHING OF HERS TO SOMEONE WHO NEEDS IT

HAVING A ROBUST CONVERSATION

LISTENING TO SOMEONE’S WOES

GIVING SOMEONE A REV-UP

PAYING SOMEONE’S BILL BECAUSE THEY ARE BROKE

OR

VOLUNTEERING TO DO SOMETHING

YEP, THAT’S WHAT SHE’D BE DOING.

WHY NOT? SHE DID IT HER ENTIRE LIFE.

LOVE YA WORK, MUM. 

THESE ARE THE COMMENTS PLACED ON A BOOKMARK WE PRODUCED TO HONOUR A GREAT LADY: 

The happiest people don’t necessarily have the best of everything; they just make the most of everything that comes along their way.

Happiness lies ahead for those who cry, those who hurt, those who have searched, and those who tried … For only they can appreciate the importance of people who have touched their lives!

Only the man who has come through suffering, grief, disappointment and despair into joy, laughter and love; only this man has a really firm grasp on what life is all about. For being afraid of life, of the future and of uncertainty usually goes hand in hand with the joy of living.

Give the world the best you have, and it may never be enough; give the world the best you’ve got anyway. You see, in the final analysis, it is between you and God; it never was between you and them anyway.

~Mother Theresa~

Clancy's comment: Not a day has passed when I have not thought of my mother ... Times when I think of something and want to ring her and tell her. Sadly, I can't, but I say it anyway. 

Yep, I was very lucky. I had an extraordinary relationship with my Mum. She was a mate, more than a mother. I told her heaps of things and swore like a trooper, yet she never castigated me for cussing because she knew I was passionate about the big issues. Although we had different political views, we never became enemies. 


 Halfway through the Requiem Mass, Father John asked me if I had left out some of my eulogy. I smiled and said, 'Nope, that was it ... No frills,  just facts.' 

 Thanks, Mum. Happy birthday. Thanks for caring. You were an absolute star.

Today I will visit her grave an have another  honest conversation with her. My last words as I leave? 

"Loved ya work, Mum! Loved ya work! Always did, always will."

I'm ...

   

RIP - PAX VOBISCUM