The Eye of The Tiger
by
Debby Wallwork Lupo
Cute Baby Debby
and Mom
1956
When I think of my mother Lucy, the one word that comes to mind is “Strength”. When I was a little girl age 9 we moved from Chicago, IL to southern Calif. My parents were separated at the time and it was a very difficult moment in our lives. I remember seeing my mother struggle to make ends meet and raise 5 young girls the best she knew how.
I remember her stretching a dollar as far as she could to put food on the table and clothes on our back. Looking back I think mom was one of the first women I knew who worked outside of the home.
We all had assigned chores to do around the house . Our chores had to be done and the dinner had to be on the table when she arrived home at night. I’m sure like any working mom she was totally exhausted, after working all day at work to have to deal with 5 girls, but she did manage somehow.
I can’t imagine my mom in the kitchen baking cookies or sewing Halloween costumes for her kids. But I can see the love she puts into crocheting each of her children their blankets with the colors they choose themselves.
I can’t see my mom hanging out with my friends and being silly, but I can see her on a bowling league and even winning a trophy, which stayed on our shelf as long as I can remember.
I can see my mom driving us all to Uncle Henry’s house and stopping to ask us “McDonald's, or Kentucky Fried Chicken???” Lets just say I am NOT a fan of Colonel Sanders.
More importantly I witnessed her inner strength during my lifetime. She demonstrated that trait during the passing of her husband, my father, William Wallwork, in 1981. I couldn't imagine the turmoil she must have gone through during that time, being a young widow at 50 years of age. She kept her spirits up, and faced her challenges head on. She stood steadfast to her faith and it sustained her.
I think I have inherited her strength during my troubled times in life. In March 2013, my husband Jim, my eternal companion, and love of my life, was diagnosed with brain cancer. My mother was there for me during that time she held my hand and wiped away my tears like a loving mother should. She gave me the courage I needed to stand up and face the dark days ahead. Unfortunately Jim lost his battle when a blood clot to the lung took his life in June 2013. My mother along with my sisters were there to again pick up the pieces of my shattered life and held me in their arms until I was strong enough to do so alone.
I love the chorus to the Katy Perry song, “Roar”, it invokes courage and strength that best describes my mom as well as my sisters, and when I hear that song I think of these amazing women!
I remember her stretching a dollar as far as she could to put food on the table and clothes on our back. Looking back I think mom was one of the first women I knew who worked outside of the home.
We all had assigned chores to do around the house . Our chores had to be done and the dinner had to be on the table when she arrived home at night. I’m sure like any working mom she was totally exhausted, after working all day at work to have to deal with 5 girls, but she did manage somehow.
I can’t imagine my mom in the kitchen baking cookies or sewing Halloween costumes for her kids. But I can see the love she puts into crocheting each of her children their blankets with the colors they choose themselves.
I can’t see my mom hanging out with my friends and being silly, but I can see her on a bowling league and even winning a trophy, which stayed on our shelf as long as I can remember.
I can see my mom driving us all to Uncle Henry’s house and stopping to ask us “McDonald's, or Kentucky Fried Chicken???” Lets just say I am NOT a fan of Colonel Sanders.
More importantly I witnessed her inner strength during my lifetime. She demonstrated that trait during the passing of her husband, my father, William Wallwork, in 1981. I couldn't imagine the turmoil she must have gone through during that time, being a young widow at 50 years of age. She kept her spirits up, and faced her challenges head on. She stood steadfast to her faith and it sustained her.
I think I have inherited her strength during my troubled times in life. In March 2013, my husband Jim, my eternal companion, and love of my life, was diagnosed with brain cancer. My mother was there for me during that time she held my hand and wiped away my tears like a loving mother should. She gave me the courage I needed to stand up and face the dark days ahead. Unfortunately Jim lost his battle when a blood clot to the lung took his life in June 2013. My mother along with my sisters were there to again pick up the pieces of my shattered life and held me in their arms until I was strong enough to do so alone.
I love the chorus to the Katy Perry song, “Roar”, it invokes courage and strength that best describes my mom as well as my sisters, and when I hear that song I think of these amazing women!
“I got the eye of the tiger, a fighter, dancing through the fire
‘cause I am a champion and you’re gonna hear me roar
Louder, louder than a lion
‘cause I am a champion and you’re gonna hear me roar”...
‘cause I am a champion and you’re gonna hear me roar
Louder, louder than a lion
‘cause I am a champion and you’re gonna hear me roar”...
