That’s my mother – Helen Walsh.
She made her transition 3 years ago in October… and still today she is very prevalent in my life.
This is the most recent photo of her that I had on my computer… It was taken about 1 year before she passed over.
On October 12, 2005 – she laid down one afternoon and didn’t get up. While the whole family was shocked at what happened – It was absolutely the best way for her to make her transition!
She was about 6 weeks shy of her 88th birthday and we all were expecting her to live a lot longer. She wasn’t sick and as she would say – she was a tough bird! I guess she was… She had beaten cancer twice in her life.
When she was 59 she had uterine cancer. She never made a big deal about it – she acted cool and calm – which kept us somewhat cool and calm. They operated – they didn’t even do chemo – and she was back up and about in a very short time. Then about 1 year before she transitioned – the doctors discovered cancer in her intestines. They operated, again no chemo – they felt as though they got it all… and again her recovery was remarkable!
Her own mother lived till she was 94 – so I guess we all decided she would do, at least, the same. When my sister called on October 12th, 2005 – I was absolutely shocked… at the same time I felt a peace within me. I was no stranger to being shocked by someone just lying down and leaving as that is what happened in January 2003 when my partner Gale made her transition.
I gathered my clothes and got in the car to make the 3 1/2 hour trip to where I grew up. The minute I got in the car – I could feel her presence with me. I could feel how happy she was! And we started a conversation and talked for the entire trip! Yes – I truly talked to her and she truly talked back to me!
The first thing I heard her say is “I can see so clearly now” – She had macular degeneration and was losing her eyesight – but I knew she was speaking of so much more than eyesight.
She was now seeing the “big picture” – Her and I used to talk about these things – Well I talked and she listened… I would tell her my beliefs – that there was no real death – that we just change form – that we are all connected and that life is wonder-filled journey that we create. She was Catholic and she followed some of their rituals – but she loved these conversations and was open and willing to always look deeper.
Actually she knew these principles, which I live by today, much more than she or I realized…
As I was growing up I can remember her always singing, dancing and smiling around the house… She did not make a big deal out of things that others would consider a horror. If you had a set back – she would tell you “pick yourself up – dust yourself off and start all over again”
She was the matriarch in our family – people gathered around her. She was the person many turned to if they had a problem. She was the person you could count on. She stayed upbeat even in the face of sadness. She always tried to find something good within every situation.
She loved to tell corny and sometimes off-color jokes! 
I have so many fond memories of laughing so hard we almost wet our pants! And staying up till the wee hours of the morning as she would tell me stories of when she was young.
She wouldn’t talk about the yucky things that happened in her life – she only wanted to tell you the good times, the fun times. As a teenager growing up in the late 60’s early 70’s I can remember telling her she was in denial! She would smile and sing a song! 
At that time in my life – people where talking about “facing reality” – “tell it like it is” – “confront the people who did you wrong” – etc… etc…
My mother did not do those things… She went about her business, smiling, singing, turning her attention to the things that pleased her not to the things that didn’t! She always would point out what was good in your life if you were telling her what wasn’t good!
Her passion was loving her family, spending time with them and enjoying everyday!
In my later twenties – I started to read books, that in essence, where teaching what my mother lived! For years I credited those authors for the changes in my life… and while they did indeed make a difference – it was truly my mother who touched my life with these principles!
When people would ask me who is my hero? – Who do I look up to? – Who would I want to emulate in my life? I never had an answer …. While I respect many people and their accomplishments there really was not one person who I would call my Hero.
That is… until I started to write this article…. and I became so aware – I do indeed have a hero - that Hero is my mother, Helen Walsh. She lived her life with a smile on her face and a song on her lips even in the face of many hardships.
She is still very prominent in my life – I feel her smiling presence often. And if you stop by my house many days will hear me signing many of those same songs she sang…
Thank You Mother….for all the gifts you gave to me
and to many, many others!
You are indeed My Hero!
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"There are No Mistakes..... Only Discoveries!" TM ~ Ellie Walsh
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Not sure why you wrote this right now, but it helped me remember that my mom is always around too. Like we talked, I usually (can) always remember the good times, fun times, and it doesn’t bother me except around the time everyone talks about Halloween (Mom transitioned on Oct 31st) and I seem to forget all the positive stuff we had together. I know I can talk to her anytime. I just forget with all the other stuff going on.
Reading your email about your mom just brought me back to remembering she is always around and I know I can talk to her anytime I want.
I just wanted to thank you for the email. friends always connie
Hi Connie….
So good to see you here! I have received many email from folks thanking me for this post…
I am happy you are able to connect with your mother – it is truly special and comforting…..
Keep coming back and visiting me here!
Have a Wonder-Filled Day!!
Hugs,
Ellie