I’ll Miss You, Mom
I told a crowd during a speech at my mother’s memorial on Friday, December 28, that I am a very wealthy man because of my inheritance. I meant it then, and I meant it now. It is the ultimate compliment to my late mother. While I wasn’t referring to wealth in a material sense, I told the crowd that my mother deposited much more important things into my “account”: courage, character, faith and love. She’s given me everything I need to be successful in this life. Yes, I am a very wealthy man.
My mother had been in a desperate battle for her life since April, after being diagnosed with lung cancer. My family and I tried everything to save her. Everything. In December, she took a drastic turn for the worse. This is why I’ve been absent from so many newscasts lately. My family comes only second to my relationship with God and I’ll do anything to be there for them.
Needless to say, this is a very difficult time for my family and me. Obviously I miss my mom. I would hope everyone would. My mom truly loved to live. She never grew old. She traveled the world after a 40-year teaching career. She was an advocate and always taught me to do what is right, not what is popular. She has class, style and always let me know no matter how old I got, she was still my mother. 
Still, there are many things to be thankful for. At the end of my last conversation with her, I told her “Mom, I’m proud of you. And I love you.” She simply said “I know you do, son.” And just hours before she died, I told her that she had done an extraordinary job raising my brother and me and that it was okay for her to go. Less than 12 hours later, she did.
Hilda Diana Barrett died the way she lived: with grace, courage and dignity.
I’ll always miss you, mom. And I am honored to be your son.
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todd,
you and your family are in my prayers. i’m so sorry to hear about your mom, she seemed like a wonderful person. I know that it’s hard losing a parent, last friday was the one year anniversary of my mom’s death and it feels like yesterday. My mom’s most favorite quote that she once told me before she died was that ‘we all have our destinies in life, it’s up to us on how we choose and live it.’
May God bless you and your family during this time.
I’ve been awed with how well my colleague has kept himself together on the air and off the air during this tremendously difficult time.
Todd, your mother must have done an incredible job passing along her sense of grace, courage, and dignity to her children. I’m glad you decided to share your very personal story.
You know the rest of the staff and I are here to fill in whenever you need a break. Just take care - and enjoy those precious memories.
Trisha
Thanks for sharing your story, Todd. I totally agree with you when you state “one day at a time.” It is a blessing to see someone recover so quickly with a smile after the lost of a parent. I admire your strength and dedication to God and your family.
May God continue to bless with you and your family!
Mr. Wallace,
I am so very sorry to hear about the loss of your dear mother. Some 10 years ago, I traveled to my son’s college to deliver my news in person…I had breast cancer. I will never forget the look in his eyes. There was no expression. Like he was having a bad dream. It was somewhat later that I learned the profound effect my words had on him.
Cancer is such a hideous disease. It also attacks the minds of family and friends. The what ifs are always there.
“Grace, courage and dignity”. That’s what you will always remember when you think of your mother.
And one more thing; no matter how old you get, she will still be your mother. And you will continue to hear her reminding you of that.
Because that’s just the way moms are.
Peace. Take care, and God bless you and your family.
Todd,
Thank You for sharing your story with thr ABC/RTV6 Veiwers. I am 15 and a futer journalist and hopefully my wish will come true that I become a repoter or anchor on WRTV.You bein THE ONLY BLACK MALE PRIMETIME ANCHOR IN INDINAPOLIS. You are one of the people that I look up to and learn and listen to everyday not only for the news but for Journalistic Skills. I commend you on holding yourself together on the air and off. That just makes another note for myself on how to keep myself together on the air in times of a Personal or Public Crisis.
Thank you Todd for doing a wonderful job in just the last few months at RTV6. From my family to yours,Todd,God Bless you and keep your head. Our Prayers are with!
Cameron Ridle
Very touching. I am sure your mother is very proud of you.
I would like to thank everyone for the kind words. The loss of a loved one, obviously, is never easy. But the support you have shown will make easier, one day at a time.
I would also like to thank Trisha for her support during my absence. She has been a wonderul coworker and friend.
Todd,
Your mother sounds like the kind of mother that I hope to be remembered as. My girls are all adults and I have a granddaughter now.
What better gift for a mother than to have a child that remembers her as lovingly as you do.
She isn’t gone, Todd. People that have her kind of presence and light in life can’t be totally eliminated from you. Her light continues to shine in you and your family.
My thoughts and prayers…
Becky
Todd
Melissa
I am so sorry to hear about your Mom. My thoughts and prayers are with your family. I am 36 and lost my Dad just over two months ago. Needless to say it was the hardest thing I have ever done and I miss him every day. My Mom was left to cope by herself after 50 years of marriage and I am proud to report she is doing well. It is hard to remember during this time to let family, friends and co workers help with your grief. I am still trying to remember that and it’s hard, but people do care and they will help, even if it is only to have a shoulder to cry on. Be strong Todd, and remember your Mom is always in your heart
Todd,
“The future destiny of a child is always the work of the mother.” - Napoleon Bonaparte
Your blog entry was a beautiful way to honor your mother. You also honor her in your kindness to family, friends, co-workers and viewers. Your friends in Texas are all thinking about you and your family during this time.
Todd:
I appreciate your love of family, but also of God and that you’re not afraid to post it for anyone to see.
God bless you in the loss of your mother. I understand 100%. My mother has not been with us for 10 years yet there is not a day that I don’t want to turn to the phone and call her!
Melissa
Todd
We are so sorry to hear about your Mother`s death. She sounds like a wonderful person and I know how hard it is to let go of a Mother who has been such a loving person to you. We lost our Mother in 1990 and it was the hardest thing in my life to let her go.
Todd,
Our thoughts and prayers go with you and your family. Sometimes the months after a loved ones death are a little harder than those early days as reality sets in and you find so many times that you wish you could call and share something with them. My parents died in 2003 and 2005, and there are still days that tears are right on the surface when you think of them. However, blessings have come too, as we have been ministered to by friends, shared memories with family, and been loved on and hugged by those closest to us. Knowing our loved ones are in heaven brings peace and we take joy in the fact that we WILL see them again. God Bless! The Harshman Family
Again,
I would like to sincerely thank all of you for your kind words of support. They mean so much to me - perhaps more than you know. I’m comforted with the fact that I simply had a great mom!!! I am also relieved she is no longer suffering. Still, it is difficult but each day I’m getting stronger.
Todd,
I’m sorry to hear about your mother’s passing. I remember meeting her. She was an extroadinary woman. I did the same thing for my mother. I thanked her for raising my siblings and I and that it was alright to let go. My mother passed away almost 11 years ago. Oct. 11th 1997. I’m glad you’re doing pretty well. Congrats! Keep the light shining.
Darrin Williams
Baltimore, MD
Bowie State Univ