Linda Swiebocki Obituary

This is the eulogy that I read at my mother's funeral. Please contact me for more information.

Isaac Asimov said "Life is pleasant. Death is peaceful. It's the transition that's troublesome."

It is hard for me to believe Mom left us so fast, On November 18th My brother Brian called me from Mom's doctor's office, I remember only two word's that he spoke. "It's cancer".

I called her late that night. She spoke to me almost like there was nothing wrong, I could tell that she didn't want me to worry, but I knew she was worried. I remember her saying "I didn't get to choose when I was brought into this world, and I don't get to choose when I leave." After hearing this I remember stopping just short of crying, and thinking that she was doing the same on the other end of the phone.

Mom was loving, caring, accepting, kind, and over-generous. She tried to instill those values in my brother and I while raising us. We were stubborn young boys, but I know in the long run those values sunk in. In her last days, I told her that she made me the man, husband and father that I am. She told me that I had all of those things in my heart all along.

In the last month that my mother was in the hospital we had some very serious talks.
She told me that she was not religious but she was spiritual and explained to me what she meant.
We talked about these plans and arrangements.
Her light hearted side would ease the conversation and ask something like "Why in the world can't they get the Sci-Fi channel in here."

During this last month I have spoken to you about mom. Thru these conversations you have given me the gift of being able to see my mother through your eyes.
Stories of her generosity. Many of you have shared the same story of how if Linda was bringing food she would bring way more than what was needed.
Stories of her Brilliance. Your mother was so smart, she would hear something only once and remember it forever.
Stories of bragging about being a proud mother and grandmother.
Stories of hard-work, dedication, kindness, and friendship.

Mom, The day that you went into hospice. I kept thinking of how I just wanted to go back and be your little boy again.
- The boy who enjoyed you being our room mom at Kirby elementary school.
- The boy who when we would come home from school every day and ask what's for dinner, you would answer "Chopped Snake lips."
And if we replied "Cmon, seriously". You replied "OK Chopped Chicken lips."
- The boy who sat patiently while you tended to the 3 inch gash in my head.
- The boy who heard "Wait til your father gets home."
- The boy who you made clean the house every Saturday before I could go out.
- The boy who watched Star Trek and Son of Svengoolie with you.
- The boy who when I broke into Bill and Linda's house to feed their cat and was brought to your work by the police instantly pointed and yelled. "WHAT DID YOU DO!"
- The boy who you drove to countless and baseball and Bulldog football practices.
- The boy who had to be home when the street lights went on.

But I can't go back. You raised me the man I am, and each and every day you will live within me.

There's been a poem hanging on the side of my Mom's fridge for the longest time, but It wasn't until recently that I actually read it. To conclude I'd like to read it to you.


A Quiet Place by Glenda Fulton Davis

I daily seek a quiet place, that's far from trouble and strife.

Where I can piece together, all the puzzles of my life.

It's there, away from TV and books, and far from the
telephone.

That I can fellowship with God. Just He and I alone.

And there God pours His balm of love, into the life I live.

And there I find a peace and joy that only He can give.

I will not fear the circumstances I face from day to day.

For daily in my quite place, I'm learning how to pray.