Tribute to Mama R

I had wonderful dreams about mom the night before she died. I want to remember her for the incorrigible person that she was with me!

She was so feisty and I enjoyed our adventures. She'd say, "Maria let's go find some trouble to get into..." She loved having me drive her places, shopping, her doc appointments.

I reminded Dan of a time (not too long ago) when I asked mama if she wanted to drive by my old house which I had recently sold (my old house is near her house in Falls Church ). We drove down to the end of the cul de sac and she said, "Let's peek in the windows to see what improvements they've done." So, this old white haired lady got me to trespass onto property that was no longer mine, and we peeked in all the windows! I thought we'd get caught/arrested. Can you imagine the story? My mother-in-law was the culprit who would have been responsible for US getting in trouble! Ha, ha!

On the night before mama died I left her wrapped in her yummy orange blanket and “puppy” was under her left wrist.

I told Danny that the only thing of mama’s that I want is her orange blanket. Orange is my favorite color, and I can snuggle in it and remember her…like indirectly hugging her forever.

I asked if “puppy” could be buried with mama. During her last few days, she enjoyed stroking that stuffed animal’s fur, and cradling him in her hands. I bought puppy for her as a gift, and I’d like puppy to be with her forever.

I'd like to think there are trees in heaven.

Mama's 14 pets are all lined up (with wagging tails) waiting for her in heaven.

I'll be sad, and I will cry, but I have ten years of AMAZING memories of the joy and adventures with this woman.

Mama loved animals. I think she would have LOVE this:

1. We shopped together.

2. We "got in trouble" together. Whether is was peeking in windows, or eating naughty food (she loved burgers, fries, and milk shakes).

3. I would visit her every day after school and sit with her for hours and do my homework. I liked to see her on my way home everyday.

4. I was closer to her in more ways than I was to my own mother.

5. Her sense of humor was legendary.

6. She was a proud fiercely independent woman who raised three sons alone.

7. She had a 35 year career at George Washington University that enabled mr. smiley to get the best education for free. Wow!

8. She was a wonderful caring, loving, nurturing woman.

9. She was indescribable.

10. She was mama...

Mama's Eulogy

Today we are here to remember, Irene Retter, an amazing woman who was blessed with nearly 84 years of a rich and full life.

I knew her as Mama Retter, and I had close to ten years of AMAZING, joyful memories and adventures with this unforgettable woman.

Mama was a fiercely independent woman who raised three sons alone, and she told me that her sons were the loves of her life, and brought her great joy.

Mama’s sense of humor was legendary. The Retter humor has definitely been passed down through the generations.

I loved visiting Mama every day on my way home from university. I would sit with her for hours and do my homework, and we would talk about everything.

We ate naughty yummy food together. She LOVED burgers, fries, and milk shakes.

We listened to hymns together in the car on the way to doctors’ appointments. I loved introducing her to my favorite contemporary Christian artists.

There are two of memories of Mama that I want to share with you today:

1. Mama was a determined woman, even when in pain.
Although she often had trouble walking, she insisted on being with my son Evan at my graduation from university when I was 44 years old.

2. Mama had an adventurous spirit.
She often would say, “Maria, let’s go find some trouble.” My husband, Dan thinks that means shopping, but it was more than that. Oh, we "got in trouble" often.

On one particular day I thought we would be arrested because she insisted in peeking in windows of my old house (when it was under renovation and was no longer owned by me).

Can you imagine the headlines? 80 year old woman and younger accomplice caught trespassing. I would have said she was the master-mind, but they would never have believed me…

Mama in so many ways was indescribable.

To me she was mama...

I will miss watching Animal Planet with her, reading to her, singing to her, and most of all I will miss hearing her call me, “my Maria, Maria.”

We are sad at her passing, but Mama is at peace.

I'd like to think there are trees in heaven and her 14 pets were all sitting there (with wagging tails) waiting for her in heaven.

Remember, her wonderful loving heart. Remember the love she showed. She'll be close to our hearts forever.

Listen to the Whispers of the Mourning

If Mama could speak to us today, I think she would say:

I know you miss me, I miss you too
But I'm sending an angel to watch over you
The angel will let you know I'm always near
To ease your heartache and wipe your tears
And the next time you reach up to the heavens above
You'll feel the kiss of all my love
So please don't let the grief consume your soul
And remember through God, you too can be whole
And when you think you can no longer stand
I'm up here in heaven with God, waiting to take hold of your hand
So listen beyond the whispers of the mourning and you'll see
I'm with the Lord our God
I'm finally free.