Volume I, Issue I
Dear Mom e-Letter
Welcome to Dear Mom E-Letter
December 5, 2005
By Dee Dee Raap
Copyright 2005
December 5, 2005
Dear Reader:
By now you may have read my new book, Dear Mom: Remembering, Celebrating, Healing. This is part two of my dream: having an on-line conversation with readers who may want to share comments, thoughts or insights as I share mine. Your comments are most welcome. Just e-mail me at DeeDee@DeeDeeRaap.com
I chose today, December 5, 2005, to begin the e-letter because it is the 15th anniversary of my mother's death. It was exactly on that date, in 1999, that I began writing letters that allowed me to remember and celebrate my mother's life, and to heal from her loss.
I have spoken to media—TV, radio, newspapers and magazines—about my book, healing from loss and celebrating the gifts that Mom gave me. I have described the pain of Mom's sudden death, saying Christmas is a lousy time to lose the one who made the Holiday special with decorating, baking, creating ornaments and making presents. In my world, Mom made Christmas special, and in the process, created a lifetime of memories.
However, I now look at December 5 not just as the day of loss, but as a day of recognizing the growth I've experienced.
Writing the letters to Mom transformed me as I looked at what my mother had given me, instead of just looking at what I'd lost. It started with the ornaments she made: red and green and white yarn cross stitched over plastic mesh shaped into trees, mailboxes that said "1984," and bird feeders, complete with little plastic bird and bird food.
My journey transcended to other gifts from mom: lessons that shared her values, created traditions, and honored family.
I think that's one of life's nicest secrets. Gratitude is a gift, one we receive, one we cultivate. It's an attitude, it's an awareness. It transformed my life and gave me the ability to create Dear Mom.
What gifts from your mother are you most grateful for? When you think about describing her to your child, your grandchild, or to a friend, what would be the three most cherished gifts from the woman who gave you life, nurtured you, tolerated your teenage years and always knew you would, someday, have your own children who would do exactly to you what you'd done to her?
My mother's gifts included simplicity, always finding another use for something, and using what you had to make what you needed. Her gifts were lessons that gave me the values I have today, and guide me on this journey called life.
For Halloween this year, I dressed as Old Cat Woman to go trick or treating with my grandson who was going to be Batman. Old Cat Woman needed a tail, according to my grandson. My first thought was not where to buy one, but how to make one.
Thanks Mom. Old Cat Woman got a tail, thanks to my daughter who learned from me as I learned from you.
If someone you know would benefit from Dear Mom, please send them to my web site: www.DearMomBook.com. The first chapter is on-line, and they can sign up for this newsletter there as well.
Think about the gifts from your Mom as you prepare to celebrate Christmas. If she's alive, tell her thanks. If she's not, share the message of the values you received from her gifts with someone you love. You—and that special
someone—will both benefit.
Happy Holidays! Dee Dee
If you received this e-letter in error, please just reply and let me know you don't want it. If you'd like to share it with a friend or relative, please do so. However, as with the book, the material is copyrighted, so reproducing other than for sharing as mentioned above is not permitted. Thank you for your cooperation.
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