For my mother who passed away 14 years ago today

It was on this day fourteen years ago that my mother, the matriarch of my family, Florence Ford, passed away at the age of 76.. Florence was really my grandmother but raised me from birth because my real mother, her daughter Mary Ann, was too young at the time. Florence legally adopted me through LCO tribal court back in the early 1980’s which made it official, she was mom.

I was 29 years old when my mother passed and ever since I could remember she was always doing everything she could to help others, never slowing down for herself. She was a cook, and a great one at that, working many different jobs over the years.

The thing I remember most from my childhood was that there was always someone staying in our home. These were people who otherwise would have had nowhere else to go. Florence would take them in and charge them nothing and they would stay till they got back on their feet. As a teenager, I hated it, having someone in our home, never realizing just what she was doing until I grew up. Then I got it. The impact she made on these people was huge. It could be years

later and if there was ever anything my mother needed, they would be there, mowing her lawn, repairing her roof, bringing her firewood, fresh walleye, even some venison.

My mother lived below the poverty level and she wouldn’t have had it any other way. I can remember countless times that she would give her last dollar to someone when they were in need. There were many times that people came to the house asking for her help and she would give it. And, quite often those people would be there for her over the years. She was well-loved by many that knew her. She was admired for her generosity and she was well-known on the reservation for her awesome cooking. Every time the tribe had an event, you’d find Florence and her sister preparing the meal.

The last ten years of her life she cooked for the halfway house on the reservation. She did more than cook for the men who passed through the house over those years. She took them on field trips. She drove the van and brought the guys out everywhere, and once again, I can remember many times when the guys would just show up at home and do her yard work, fix any needed home repairs, or whatever the job, it didn’t matter, they loved her and there wasn’t anything they wouldn’t have done for her. In the last year of her employment there, the guys presented her with a gold-plated wall plaque with her name on it honoring her for her ten years there. It was awesome.

Florence knew money couldn’t buy you happiness. She lived it every day of her life. She found her happiness in helping people in need and cooking wonderful meals. These were her passions. These were her causes. I know I could never fill her shoes. She had a kind and generous heart and every time I try, I fall short. All I can say to my dear mother who passed away fourteen years ago today is that from this day forward, I will do my best.

Thank you mother for all that you have shown me in the way that you lived and thank you mother for all that you continue to show me as I reflect. Even today you’re still teaching. I miss you every day.