I have been a slave to slang for as long as I can recall. A lot of it comes from movies, television, and music but the terms that have the most staying power for me typically come from our national pastime. Phrases like a cup of coffee, rounding third and heading home, and even a couple of Beat L.A.’s have become Picetti family vernacular — albeit on a far-less-than-you-might-think-from-this-sentence basis.
The reason that I am bringing up the whole sports vocab thing from my intro is that there is one word that I would use to describe my mom these past six or seven months and that word is gamer.
In the sporting sense, a gamer is a person who puts it all out there day in and day out regardless of whether or not she is tearing the cover off of the ball or is mired in a 0 for 20 slump. A gamer plays her ass off even when the game is out of reach. A gamer steps up to the plate as if it were bases loaded with two outs in the bottom of the ninth inning of game seven of the World Series and her team was down by three runs.
My mom was such a gamer that she made the decision to keep the seriousness of her illness between her and her oncologist from December until this past Tuesday morning in order to not have anybody worry about her so she could continue taking care of her family as if nothing was wrong with her.
Even this past week, in the bottom of the ninth of her life, my mom dug in deep in the batter’s box, ready to take her final swings. She hit the ball hard, put her head down and hustled towards first base. In true gamer fashion, she continued her stride even after the ball had cleared the fence. And as my mom was rounding third and heading home in the early hours of Saturday morning, every other departed member of our family’s starting lineup was waiting around home plate for the latest sure-fire first ballot Hall of Famer to score the go-ahead run.
The Adventures of ALS Boy 
And those still remaining on the team will use her strength as something to honor in future games.
She’s our hero.
Jason, that was beautiful.
Jason, how is it that your words are so beautiful and plentiful, and now everyone around you is at a loss for their own words…
Hats off to your mom – Mets caps, Cubs caps, all kinds, to your mom and all the gamers in your family. Seems that there are many, including you. Grateful that your mom spent her last season living with those she loved…and that you honored her so well.
She was sooo strong. Such a beautiful person. She will be missed. Thanks for those words.
carlene
Eloquent words for an eloquent lady.
I loved how you captured your mom’s spirit in this blog. I am in awe of her strength, but now I know where yours comes from. I am so sorry for your loss. I really loved getting to know her.
Beautifully put! Your mom was a “trooper”….always there…
and ALWAYS with a smile. We loved her dearly, and will miss her terribly! Heartfelt thoughts and prayers are with you.
Your Mom was a gamer. I will miss her Jason. She always put her family first. I loved her dearly.
I charish the time I spent with you and your family while we shared a table and Adam and Sarah’s wedding. Your family made a huge impact on my heart and I have enjoyed your blog ever since. My thoughts and prayers are with your family at this most difficult time.
Jason you are so right on, your mom was an amazing women. You and your family are so much stronger because of her. You and your family be proud, be strong, you are in our thoughts.
That was so beautifully spoken Jason. Judy was such a warm-hearted and strong person and I will miss her very much. My deepest sympathy and condolences to your entire family. Her memory will live on in our hearts forever.
Jason,
That was beautiful. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Jason,
You are so amazing. I checked your blog today in case you posted something about your mom, not really expecting to see anything so soon. But here you are, carrying on, as she would want you to. She was so selfless that she endured unbelieveable pain and somehow kept it to herself, sparing everyone from the worry and “fuss” of sharing that burden. We were all blessed to have her as part of our family and will will miss her.
Denise Chenneour
Beautifully written, Jason. I am so inspired by your mom.
Our sincere condolences to you, your dad, and all your family.
Jason,
What a beautiful tribute to your mom. It seems that until the end, she put the needs of those she loved before her own. Her sacrificial love is inspiring. Judy will be missed by anyone who knew her at all. She was kind and selfless, and Emma was the joy of her heart. She raised an amazing man, and I’m privileged to have you and your family for friends. My prayers are with you all.
Jason,
Thank you so much for those words about your mother. She does live on in our hearts – as Emily Dickinson wrote:
“Unable are the loved to die,
For love is immortality.”
May God bless and strengthen you and may you celebrate the wonderful gift that God gave us in your mother, Judy.
My prayers are with you and your family.
John Pungente, SJ
Hi Jason,
I am truly sorry to hear of your mother’s passing. I had the pleasure of working with her at Taylor for several years. And yes, she was a trooper!
May your family find comfort and peace in the wonderful memories you share of Judy.
With Sympathy, Jamie
Jason… Such a beautiful tribute to a beautiful life. All my thoughts and prayers are with you right now.
Jason and Fahmeen: We love you so much. Be strong.
I treasure every day I spent with my dear friend.
I will remember her forever.
Jason,
How fortunate you are to have been gifted with such an inspirational Mother! Remember that she is with you always and that her Strength is now yours. You are both in my prayers.
What a lovely tribute to your Mom Jason. Heroism seems to be embodied in the Picetti DNA and now we all know where your ability to live life with such dignity and humor comes from. May her strength carry all of you through the days ahead…
Jason and family,
You are all in my prayers. Your mom was a second mother to
me. Stay strong. Judy was a great person.
I love you and your family…
Sean
Oh Jason, I’m so sorry. What you wrote was absolutely beautiful and eloquent. My thoughts and prayers are with you, Fehmeen, Emma, and the rest of your family. She must have been a very special lady.
karen
Jason,
Love and Prayers to you, Fehmeen and Emma. I am so sorry for your loss.
Kim
Jason, Fehmeen and Emma,
I am so sorry for your loss. From what Kate has told me, she has been fighting a hard fight for a long time and all the while keeping it to herself.
Glad she is at peace now.
Please take care!
Jodi and the Green family
Dear Jason and the whole Picetti family – I am so very sorry for your loss. Your tribute to your mother on this blog is touching, so many amazing women surround you, Jason!
What a beautiful tribute Jason! Jon Miller could not have done a better job. I am saddened for your loss and will continue to keep you all in my fondest thoughts and prayers.
All my condolences to you and your family, Mr. P.
Jason, that was amazing and so was your mom. She was a wonderful lady and I will remember her fondly. She did her motherly job well and never stopped. A true gamer she was for sure. All my love and thoughts to you, your dad and your family.
What a beautiful tribute to your mom, Jason! It reminds me of something Alice Walker said about her mother: “She had already been living in Heaven for many years before she died.” Not because her life was easy, but because it was devoted to love. I send my best wishes, thoughts and prayers to your family.
Alison
I’m so sorry for your loss. It sounds like your mom was an amazing woman who left an incredible legacy. My thoughts are with you and your family.