June 9, 1926 to May 16, 2012
We were expecting it, but that doesn't make it any easier.
It amazes me the memories that flood one's mind when "the news" is broken.
We did not have a funeral for Mom, because she did not want one. Mom was creamated and my sister, Connie, got me a Silver Cross that was/is made specifically to put a dab of ashes into, and then sealed. We were hoping to go out into the Gulf on a friend's boat and scatter part of Mom's ashes, and that would probably have been the memorial. But due to the weather, that idea has been postponed.
I have a canister that I took on the plane with me that has the other half of Mom's ashes. Some are to be placed on my Dad's grave, and part scattered in the Colorado mountains.
I am fortunate that I did have 40 more years to get to know my Mother than my Dad. Having had time to get to know my Mom is very fortunate, indeed.
Even after this time, and knowing what was to come, it doesn't lessen the heart ache and sense of loss.
It does give me more of a sense of Family.
Tell your family (and friends) you Love them the next chance you get. You never know; it may be the last chance you get!
Showing posts with label Family. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Family. Show all posts
Wednesday, July 4, 2012
Friday, June 8, 2012
Florida Vacation 2012, Part 2, Monday
Connie took the week off, but because of her work, still had things that needed to be done at times. Monday was open. Neil had to work, but Marisol was off, so we three decided to go visit my Aunt Audrey, my Mother's sister, over by Daytona.
We took the long way out, going SR-40. It went through one of the various forests. Pretty drive.
When we got to Audrey's we were greeted by Barb, her daughter, and Barb's husband Lou. It was good to see them again!
Connie had planned on us going to "Over Under Sideways Down" for lunch, but due to circumstances and time decided to go to "Pickles". "Over Under Sideways Down" is what Connie called the place, since I don't think she can actually remember the name of it. Pickles was cool. They have a salad bar with quite a variety of pickles. The meal was excellent, and the portions were HUGE! Great place to eat.
Audrey had asked Connie for something of Mom's that she held near and dear to herself. Connie and I wracked our brains trying to figure out what to take to Audrey. A sweater? No, Connie had told the nursing home to dispose of all of Mom's stuff. A book? The Scrabble game? We had even considered jewelry, but Mom wasn't one to wear much, if any. There was nothing we could think of. So at lunch Audrey asked Connie again if she had brought something of Mom's, and Connie told her "Us"! What else is there? Audrey looked forlorn, but I piped up and told her that Connie had intended on leaving me there with her. That broke the mood, at least for the moment.
Barb and Lou had to leave, and we did shortly thereafter. We drove out to the beach in Daytona, and I went wading in the Atlantic. I wanted to go swimming, but we didn't have time. We then went back to Audrey's and visited for a while, looking at olde pictures of her and her sisters. The older sister, Flo, died a number of years ago. Now Mom. Audrey is the last one.
Audrey has a cat, Tootsie, that she dotes over. "I brush her every day", she proudly told us! Cute and soft, a real companion to her.
We had to go as it was getting late, and Connie took us back via I-4. Lots of rain along the way.
The visit was nice, and we fulfilled our family obligation, so to speak, but bitter sweet. I couldn't help but notice how lonely and sad Audrey looked as we drove away.
We took the long way out, going SR-40. It went through one of the various forests. Pretty drive.
When we got to Audrey's we were greeted by Barb, her daughter, and Barb's husband Lou. It was good to see them again!
Connie had planned on us going to "Over Under Sideways Down" for lunch, but due to circumstances and time decided to go to "Pickles". "Over Under Sideways Down" is what Connie called the place, since I don't think she can actually remember the name of it. Pickles was cool. They have a salad bar with quite a variety of pickles. The meal was excellent, and the portions were HUGE! Great place to eat.
Audrey had asked Connie for something of Mom's that she held near and dear to herself. Connie and I wracked our brains trying to figure out what to take to Audrey. A sweater? No, Connie had told the nursing home to dispose of all of Mom's stuff. A book? The Scrabble game? We had even considered jewelry, but Mom wasn't one to wear much, if any. There was nothing we could think of. So at lunch Audrey asked Connie again if she had brought something of Mom's, and Connie told her "Us"! What else is there? Audrey looked forlorn, but I piped up and told her that Connie had intended on leaving me there with her. That broke the mood, at least for the moment.
Barb and Lou had to leave, and we did shortly thereafter. We drove out to the beach in Daytona, and I went wading in the Atlantic. I wanted to go swimming, but we didn't have time. We then went back to Audrey's and visited for a while, looking at olde pictures of her and her sisters. The older sister, Flo, died a number of years ago. Now Mom. Audrey is the last one.
Audrey has a cat, Tootsie, that she dotes over. "I brush her every day", she proudly told us! Cute and soft, a real companion to her.
We had to go as it was getting late, and Connie took us back via I-4. Lots of rain along the way.
The visit was nice, and we fulfilled our family obligation, so to speak, but bitter sweet. I couldn't help but notice how lonely and sad Audrey looked as we drove away.
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