18 Comments

A beautiful tribute to your mother. As Suleika says (my butchered paraphrase), the most difficult thing is learning to hold the beautiful and the awful in the palm of the same hand.

Expand full comment

Gina, thank you! Yes, "holding the beautiful and the awful in the palm of the same hand."

Expand full comment

Murro, this is absolutely beautiful. I was going about my business in "get it done" mode, but now I will take a break to cry again. Thank you for capturing the "essence of Mom." Your gift with words is a gift to us all.

Expand full comment

Thank you, Goodge-O. It means so much hearing that I "captured the essence of Mom." No one prepares us for this part of life, do they?

Expand full comment

"Mom, you live on in every hopeful moment, in every simple joy and wonder. Thank you, dearest of souls, for it all." She lives on in your heart and your memories. And every time you write about her, she will live in your words, and in our imaginations. Thank you for sharing your love for her and hers for you, and trusting us with your grief. May her memory be for a blessing.

Expand full comment

Ilene, thank you. I woke this morning in the great pain and your reminder of my very own words here helps. Your tender words to me, do as well.

Expand full comment

Sending love, Mary. xxx

Expand full comment

Rebecca, thank you so much. Love received!

Expand full comment

Beautiful. This inspired me to be a better mother. Accepting.

Expand full comment

Thank you, Christy. I love that memories of my Mom inspired you. She brought life into every encounter.

Expand full comment

Oh Mary I am so very sorry. Dad’s been gone so very long and we lost mom to Alzheimer’s years before she died. You can be ready for it, but there’s no feeling quite as bereft as the loss of a parent. You are who you because of them, because of her. They imprint in/on us so deeply. Even today I’ll walk into a room where someone neglected to turn off the lights and think, ‘Dad’s spinning in his grave!’

Yeah, embrace your sorrow and your memories. This whole circle of life is a miracle and a mystery.

My sympathies to your whole family.

Expand full comment

Jenny, Jenny, Jenny, this means so much to me. Yes, they do imprint in/on us, don't they? We realize it so much as we age. The circle of life is so bizarre. You know what's really weird, my mom was only in her late 30's when we lived in Frankfurt!! Somehow, she seemed so old.

Expand full comment

My dearest friend, I am here to listen, cry, and remember with you. ❤️

Expand full comment

Dearest Jocelind, thank you. Seems like a sit around your lovely, round wooden kitchen table is in order.

Expand full comment

Oh, I'm so sorry, Mary. Losing one's mother has got to be one of the toughest things to face in life. Sending hugs.

Expand full comment

Thank you, Wendy. It is a very disorienting time for me. Writing about it, helps.

Expand full comment

Writing is the best therapy, isn't it?

Expand full comment

Yes! It really is.

Expand full comment