We Will Always Remember
I’m taking a pause from parenting stuff to share something more personal, because us parents are people after all. We have our own feelings, memories, stories, triumphs and heartbreaks. But this one ties into our discussions of parenting because my mom was my parenting model. She showed me by example how to stay cool under pressure and keep pushing forward, no matter what.
September 11, 2001
I was a teacher in a town outside Boston. My mom was working at Chase Bank at the time, just blocks from the World Trade Center.
The voicemail I received from her on that day speaks volumes about the kind of woman she was. In a calm and loving voice, she said, “Sweetie, we’re not sure what is happening. I am down in the lobby at work. We have heard that all the trains have stopped running. I have my sneakers on and am waiting for the ground smoke to clear – then I’ll start walking towards home. I love you always.”
Home, as a reference, was in New Rochelle, NY…walking was the only option at first, so that’s what she did. But my step-dad was able to drive towards NY and get her on the opposite side of one of the bridges. Thank goodness he was there for her and she got home safely.
She was not taken from us on that day. She lived to see me marry a man I adore (she did too), meet her grandsons and become a defining figure in their young lives. I am deeply grateful for the seventeen ‘extra’ years with which we were gifted and my heart breaks for the families who lost loved ones on that day.
We lost my mom to Leukemia in November of 2018.
Mom, I love you always.
Share This Post
4 Comments
Leave a Comment
About the Author
Erica Mauro is a mom to two teenage boys, Will who is neurotypical and Michael with Autism and cognitive delays. She holds a BA in Psychology from Colgate University and a Masters of Psychology in Education from Columbia Teacher’s College. Before staying home with her children, she worked as an elementary school teacher. For five years, she served on the Board of Directors of the Molly Ann Tango Memorial Foundation, a charity dedicated to enriching the lives of children with special needs. In partnership with her husband Dave, she aspires to parent by using daily life as an opportunity for therapeutic intervention, seizing on real experiences as opportunities to build skills and strategies for Michael in a joyful, loving home environment. On the tougher early days, she just tried to get everyone safely to bedtime and start fresh in the morning. *wink* 
Let's Connect
Subscribe to our newsletter for more updates
Thank you for sharing what is in your heart. She is sooooooooo proud of you. Sending lots of hugs
Thank you, Abby!
She was the coolest. I am so happy you had her in your lives.
Thanks, Kathleen!