Holding it together when you have truly lost

By Angel Paglia,WPBA Touring Pro

Dedicated to my beautiful Mother Gail Marie Paglia (October 28th, 1950 - March 6, 2006)

"I miss you Mommy"

On February 14th, 2006 (Valentines Day) my Mother, Gail, was diagnosed with Adenocarsonoma of an unknown origin. Within only three weeks, after fighting through various surgeries, many tests, and a stroke, Pneumonia would ultimately take her life.

My mother has left behind a legacy for many to remember her by and, still, we continue to learn from the amazing grace she touched us all with. Of her many gifts, her ability to make people smile, to feel loved, and to be both understood and unconditionally accepted were her greatest strengths; gifts that came naturally to her. She was a hard worker, making certain that her children were never made to do with out, and the person who raised me to believe in myself and never hold anger at the world. She often said, "Make the most of life and remember that when life gets tough, just switch your gears". It makes me appreciate how important it is to leave behind a special legacy we can be proud of. I know if I can help leave behind a legacy of my mothers, I would feel truly at peace.

My Mom was engaged to be married to a wonderful man named Jim and was preparing to start a new life in Montana. There, she had a horse named Diamond, along with many rescued animals and a beautiful loving homestead waiting for her. Montana had become her wish as her resting place, therefore for us she will be forever alive in the Hills of Montana. Myself, along with my sister Stephanie, Tiki, 4 beautiful Grandchildren (Austin, Nashlie, Justin and Izayah) and my father Rick, will remember and miss her so dearly as such, along with the hundreds of people that were like family to her.

This definitely has been the most trying time of my life. I would like to thank all of you who took the time to pay your respects by attending her service, or who mailed flowers or called and showed your support through emails. The support I have received across the country has helped me stay strong for my family and for my mother during her fight. I would like to thank Meiko Yamanobe and Steve Regan for seeing me through in the hospital and making my mother smile. I would also like to thank Ron Merseal of Alexanderas Sports bar in Phoenix, Arizona for his immediate support on his site (www.azpoolscene.com) detailing the breaking news on my mother. I believe I speak for many people in stating that Ron Merseal goes above and beyond for his friends, and his effort to make AZ a better place for pool.

As for myself, losing my mother has forced me to look into my own health and quality of life a bit more. I am going to be focusing on my own health with added emphasis on vitamins and all natural remedies. This drastic change is going to be tough but I am on a mission! Someone recently wrote to me and said, You will never stop missing them, but it will get easier. Looking at the reality of it, I hope to get back into a somewhat normal routine by mid April for the WPBA in Alpine, CA. I did leave home and managed to appear for the BCA State Championship in Parker AZ to raise money for the Womens Crisis Center, a cause that was near and dear to my mothers heart, and am sensing a new profound focus that I have never had. Initially I was prepared to take time off the tour to win the battle of cancer with my mother, unfortunately, we were never given that opportunity. Now I owe it her and to myself to fight another battle to rekindle the light my mother always believed I had.

God Bless all of you for your support,

Angel

Please See www.MEM.com for my mother. Type in “Paglia” view "Gail" and see the beautiful movie and tributes.

 

All copyrights are owned by Angelina Paglia. No duplication is allowed without her permission.