Florence McMurray

Florence Tesio McMurray was born on July 7, 1929, in the tiny coal mining town of Wilsonville, IL. She truly was the coal miner's daughter, growing up in the woods and dirt roads of southern Illinois surrounded by the love of her mother Mary, father Michele and siblings Lucy, Mike, Jimmy and Albert.
Her upbringing wasn't rich in material wealth but rather it was overflowing with the love and support that only a strong family led by two devoted parents, the tempering of brothers and a big sister, and the help of a tight-knit community can provide.
She was taught to be frugal and tough on the outside but completely devoted to her loved ones on the inside. Her depression era upbringing taught her how to smooth over the rough spots in life with humor, humility and unwavering faith in our Lord, Jesus Christ.
Mom would be so embarrassed right now with all the attention she is getting. She never was comfortable having attention focused on her. Even when she was driving the car through the garage door and parking it in the living room or running down the street with her hair full of bees, all she cared about was getting dinner ready and making sure she was there to pick up dad at the train station.
Every time I spoke with her, he was amazed at how her family took care of her and how she never wanted for anything. I would explain every time that John, Uncle Mike and Aunt Gloria, and all the rest of us always put her first because she always put us first. She was the best mom she could be. She never thought of herself. She was intensely private but yet would give you anything she had. She's with Dad now. He's working in a heavenly garage, and she's waiting for the perfect worst time to interrupt him and call him to dinner. They are together with the Lord. And truth be told that's all she ever really wanted.
I recently read that grief is like a shadow. It lengthens and shrinks throughout the day but never goes away completely. And you can't kick it loose. Losing someone like mom is something you never get over, you just kind of get used to it. That's ok. The struggle between joy and sadness is what builds strength in our souls. That struggle forces us to appreciate the gifts of life, family, humor and love God gave us. That struggle gives us the strength to nurture the little ones and dedicate our lives to each other and the Lord. Just like mom did. Goodbye, Mom. We love you. In Jesus' name.