LAURA MARIA LAGUARDIA CATALDI: MARCH 28, 1921 – DECEMBER 8, 2012

Dear Mom,

You’re gone physically, but you’re tucked inside our hearts forever. We will go on just as we should, and just as you would have wanted. You told me, “When I pass, please be happy for me. I can’t continue to live like this. I want to go home.” And home you are.

Thanks, most of all, for showing us how to pray and how to believe. Thanks for never giving up on Jeff, even during his most addicted and traumatic times. You never quit believing that he would find his strength. You bombarded the heavens for his recovery. Thanks for always believing in Jeremy. I know how you loved his big presence, his gentleness and his charisma. You smiled with joy just by hearing his voice. Thanks for supporting me through the writing of Stay Close, when I exposed my family’s problems to the world. You were proud that we were giving back and trying to help others by sharing our story of hope. You were our intercessor, our prayer warrior.

We’ll miss you, Mom, but we will tell the world that there was once a woman of great faith named Laura Maria who taught us by her example to never quit believing, who taught us that there are times when even the strongest find their greatest strength on their knees. As you told Jeff, “It only works if you believe.”

Love you, always and forever,

Your daughter

 

1520
0 0 votes
Article Rating
Subscribe
Notify of
guest

13 Comments
Oldest
Newest Most Voted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
Hope
Hope
11 years ago

A beautiful soul and look how alike you are! Through you, your mother has given so many the gift of hope always. We are ever grateful. I have held you and your mother in my prayers since first coming here and today I will light candles and hold you in my heart at this quiet and tender time. Yes to the power of prayer, the example of faith, the courage of grandmothers. The peace of going “home”. Love to you all.

Glenda
Glenda
11 years ago

Libby my heart goes out to you and your family and words cannot express how sorry I am for your loss.

Anonymous
Anonymous
11 years ago

Thanks, Hope and Glenda, Barbara and Pat, too, for your love and compassion. My mom and I had a conflicted relationship, but we found a place of peace and forgiveness before she died. She allowed me to accompany her on her final passage, and I’ll be forever grateful. Love you all. Libby
(Again, not sure why I come up as Anonymous, but I’ll have to talk to my network administrator. My apologies.)

Paula
Paula
11 years ago

I’m so sorry for your loss. Thank you for sharing so many parts of your life journey with us.
Paula

Penny
Penny
11 years ago

I am so sorry for your loss. I know the fact that you found a place of peace and forgiveness with your mom and that is something to be grateful for. Hang on to the good memories and let go of everything else. You are such a strong, classy person and I will be forever grateful that you are in my life. Love and prayers to you and your family.
Penny

Jane
Jane
11 years ago

Libby it is good to hear from you in your time of grief.. Relationships are difficult at times and easy at other times. I too found a place of peace and understanding with my Dad before he died 2 years ago. I had also accompanied him thru his illness and unfortunately was not there when he died but I had a peace about me because I knew the last few years of his illness was a blessing in disguise for us. No matter what went before, they are our parents. Peace and hugs to you over this Internet connection. Thank you for sharing your journey with us. I’m sure your mother was mighty proud of you.
Love,
Jane

Nanci
11 years ago

What a beautiful picture, Libby. Thank you for sharing your mother’s experience, strength and hope. May the peace of God be with her, always.
Love,
Nanci

Barbara
Barbara
11 years ago

Dear Libby,

What a beautiful eulogy you wrote about your Mother this week. And, I am so glad, for you, that you and your mother found a place of forgiveness and peace.

I was sexually abused by my father and finally forgave him after he died and was laying in his casket. Forgiveness can be so healing.

My thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time.

With love and deepest sympathy,

Barbara

Barbara
Barbara
11 years ago

Dear Libby,

I forgot to thank you for feeling comfortable enough to share your heart with us.

God bless you

Eileen
Eileen
11 years ago

I was so touched by your words, I am so sorry for your loss, and thankful for your inspiration and courage to share your story with the world this makes a difference for us all and your mom would be so proud!

laura
laura
11 years ago

Se mi posso permettere vorrei comunicarti le mie sentite condolianze condoglianze Libby… Ho letto il tuo libro e leggo da tempo la tua riflessione settimanale che ricevo regularmente.
Sei un esempio.

Libby Cataldi
11 years ago

My dearest, dearest friends, My heart is full of love and support from your comments. Thank you all. It is times like this when friends are so very important. Life is such a journey, and my journey with my mom taught me very much about life. When my sons and I started to write Stay Close, Mom was horrified. How could I plaster our problems in front of the world, and specifically her friends. I have to give her credit because, in time, she saw the reason and the hope, and she supported us through it all. Her faith in God never faltered and she was an example to me and my sons.

Forgiveness. I’m learning that forgiveness is one of the most powerful gifts we can give ourselves. It’s hard for me, really hard, but I realize that if I can forgive someone else, I am freer, healthier and more alive.

For my Italian friend Laura: Carissima amica, grazie di essermi stata vicino. Un abbraccio forte.

Love you all.

Libby

Felix Scardino
11 years ago

Libby,

Grazie a Dio per la vita di tua madre, a grazie a Dio per Lei. (Dio mio, spero che questo e corretto)

Un abbraccio,

Felice.