My Mother (1920-2010)
My mother died on May 16, 2010 and I am dedicating this post to her.
Her funeral was a memorable occasion filled with the bitterness of loss and the sweetness of celebrating her life. Her family was present, two children, five grandchildren, two great grandchildren, daughter and son-in-law, grandchildren-in-law, as well as many members of our extended family, and friends. In her heartfelt eulogy my eldest niece called my mother a matriarch. This is an apt description. My mother was a strong, independent woman to whom our extended family looked for, and were generously given, unconditional support. She was the conduit through whom we all connected. On the night she had a stroke several years ago, she had called family members around the globe to wish them New Year greetings. It was so painful to watch as the devastation of the stroke took her independence, almost all of her speech and eventually her mobility. She endured three years in a wheelchair without complaint and with an indomitable will not to succumb without a fight to the inevitability of death. Not for one moment did she go gently into that dark night.
My mother had a remarkable life spanning almost a century. She was born in Africa and died in North America. Left motherless at the age of two, she was the second of three siblings. After a happy marriage my mother was widowed at forty-nine, and shortly thereafter became a cancer survivor. When she turned sixty she emigrated to be with her son (my brother) and his young family. She set about building a new life in a strange country. Her friendliness and willingness to try new ventures, brought her happiness and many new friends.
My mother was a lady in the best sense of that word. Always dressed with appropriate flair and style, she warmly carried that propriety into all her relationships. She never missed a grandchild’s graduation either from high school, college or grad school. She provided a haven for her often harried family, cooking familiar and well-loved foods. She always had the right words for each occasion, and a gift whenever appropriate. She was a political junkie and hardly ever missed the BBC news on the radio and TV. She had a soft spot for Bill and Hilary Clinton and Pierre Trudeau. She loved watching tennis and golf and had a soft spot for Jim Courier, Roger Federer, and Tiger Woods. She loved playing bridge. She was a knitter and her family treasure the blankets she knitted for us. My mother loved walking, nature, and being out-of-doors. She was an avid reader with weekly visits to the library. She survived cancer, heart attacks, several falls resulting in broken shoulders and hips, and through it all she maintained her dignity, her compassion and her interest in all the family “doings” and the events in the world at large.
In her last years as she endured increasing discomfort from being wheelchair bound and from the effects of the slow debilitating deterioration of her advancing age, so my admiration and love for her grew exponentially.
A mother is irreplaceable and there is a hole inside of me.
Now, Mom, you know the mystery of the bourn from which no one returns. Rest in peace.
Heya i?m for the first time here. I came across this board and I find It truly useful & it helped me out much. I hope to give something back and aid others like you helped me.
This informal summary assited me a lot! Saved your website, very excellent topics everywhere that I read here! I really like the information, thanks.
This well written article assited me a lot! Bookmarked the website, very great topics just about everywhere that I read here! I really appreciate the information, thank you.
fascintaing info, very informative. I think why the other specialists of this sector do not notice this. You should continue your publicating. I’m sure, you’ve a huge readers’ base already! Biuro rachunkowe Olsztyn.
Thanks for the blog post.Much thanks again. Will read on…
I precisely wanted to say thanks once again. I am not sure what I might have handled in the absence of the type of strategies shared by you directly on this topic. Completely was a real depressing difficulty in my circumstances, nevertheless discovering this skilled fashion you solved the issue forced me to weep with delight. I’m just happy for your work and as well , pray you realize what a powerful job you have been accomplishing educating people today via your web site. Probably you have never encountered any of us.
I don’t really leave comments on blog entries but your post was pretty insightful for me. I like it so much that I just had to let you know. Please allow me to copy your article on my website with a link back your site. My readers would love this article.
That is the proper weblog for anyone who desires to find out about this topic. You understand so much its virtually exhausting to argue with you (not that I truly would need…HaHa). You definitely put a brand new spin on a subject thats been written about for years. Nice stuff, just great!
What?s Happening i’m new to this, I stumbled upon this I have found It absolutely helpful and it has helped me out loads. I hope to contribute & aid other users like its helped me. Great job.
This blog seems to recieve a great deal of visitors. How do you promote it? It offers a nice unique twist on things. I guess having something real or substantial to give info on is the most important thing.
This excellent summary assited me very much! Saved the blog, very excellent categories just about everywhere that I see here! I like the information, thank you.
It is best to take part in a contest for probably the greatest blogs on the web. I’ll suggest this web site!
Thanks very much for writing a lot of this great info! Looking forward to checking out more.
Excellent write up, bookmarked the site with interest to read more!
WONDERFUL Post.thanks for share..more wait .. …
WONDERFUL Post.thanks for share..extra wait .. …
I used to be very happy to find this web-site.I needed to thanks to your time for this wonderful read!! I positively enjoying each little little bit of it and I have you bookmarked to take a look at new stuff you weblog post.
I really liked looking at your post thanks. I will add your site to my blog reader so later on I could study any more of your articles.
Of course, what an important website and informative posts, I’ll add backlink by bookmarking this site. Regards, your reader.
The great article encouraged me a lot! Bookmarked your website, very interesting categories just about everywhere that I read here! I really like the information, thank you.
It’s laborious to find knowledgeable folks on this topic, however you sound like you recognize what you’re talking about! Thanks
I was searching in yahoo for something else, but I have to admit your blog is very interesting
Thank you very much for your great article. I have been searching for such information for a really long time. Not all your content is fully easy to understand to me, but it is definitely interesting and worth reading.
Good info thanks for the help.
Exceptional solution and well published post. I comprehended it right away!
Thank you very much for sharing this awesome info! I am looking forward to seeintg more posts.
Great summary, saved your website for interest to see more!
Hey,Mind-boggling submit! I happened in there and after this I’m a passionate subscriber. http://fathers2011.easyjournal.com/
Most what i read online is trash and copy paste but i think you offer something different. Keep it like this.
I love just taking a break from studying and reading your blog. I just wish you posted more frequently.
I’m impressed, I need to say. Actually rarely do I encounter a weblog that’s each educative and entertaining, and let me inform you, you’ve gotten hit the nail on the head. Your concept is excellent; the difficulty is something that not enough individuals are talking intelligently about. I am very glad that I stumbled across this in my search for one thing relating to this.
Definitely appreciate this specific article. It’s hard to organize the good from the negative at times, but I think you’ve nailed it!
Thanks for the marvelous posting! I seriously enjoyed reading it, you could be a great author.I will be sure to bookmark your blog and will eventually come back in the foreseeable future. I want to encourage continue your great writing, have a nice day!
Good day! I just want to give a huge thumbs up for the great data you may have here on this post. I will likely be coming back to your blog for extra soon.
Helpful write up, saved the website in interest to read more information!
The nice article assited me very much! Bookmarked your blog, extremely excellent categories just about everywhere that I read here! I appreciate the info, thanks.
The informative summary assited me very much! Bookmarked your blog, very excellent topics everywhere that I see here! I really appreciate the information, thanks.
Very educating story, bookmarked the blog in hopes to read more information!
Thank you so much for writing all of the good info! Looking forward to reading more posts.
Excellent story, saved the site for hopes to read more!
Awesome website you have here but I was wanting to know if you knew of any forums that cover the same topics discussed here? I’d really like to be a part of online community where I can get suggestions from other knowledgeable people that share the same interest. If you have any recommendations, please let me know. Appreciate it!
Thanks so much for writing a lot of this excellent information! Looking forward to reading more!
Amazing write up, saved the blog in hopes to see more!
Genuinely appreciate that article. It’s hard to organize the great from the negative sometimes, but I believe you’ve nailed it!
Hmm is anyone else experiencing problems with the images on this blog loading? I’m trying to determine if its a problem on my end or if it’s the blog. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
Helpful story, bookmarked the blog for hopes to see more!
Helpful story, saved the site for interest to read more information!
Thanks very much for posting this great content! Looking forward to seeintg more.
Excellent post, saved your site with hopes to read more information!
Thanks very much for writing a lot of this great information! Looking forward to seeintg more.