In Memory

It is with regret and great sadness that I share with you that my mother has passed away.   As many of you know, she was 83 and battling cancer for almost 3 years. 

My dad and I (as well as other members of her family) were with her in those final moments. She went peacefully and without pain.  I express gratitude more than words can say for the Hospice and nursing home caregivers -

she died with those 'angels' surrounding her. 

We are very sad and trying to ease our pain by leaning on one another right now. 

Much healing will hopefully happen in the days ahead. 

My mom was a classy gal, full of life and love.  All the many things she did in her life we are reminiscing about...but one thing most importantly was that she was always thinking of others - much of the time more than herself.  She supported and encouraged us in whatever we wanted in life. 

She was such a casual bird watcher and lover.  As we arrived at the nursing home yesterday, where she was being cared for in her final days ~ I found solace in the gentle lilting song of a male cardinal from a nearby tree as we entered the doors. She would have heard it, too. She was always stopping us to listen and look.  I learned so much about being a strong woman from her and am amazed at her strength as she faced her cancer with determination

and her commitment to acceptance of her 'plight'.   Many times it seems life isn't fair but we are given the tools to deal with whatever comes our way - if we just accept it for what it is.  Another source of my admiration of strength has been from my dad.  He has been caregiving for my mom in such a devoted, loving, selfless and understanding way.  Without his care and love, mom wouldn't have had that extra time with us all. 

Those of you who have expressed your concern and sent well wishes my way, I hold them close to my heart.

MOM I love you - you were the best!  

A Reason to be Thankful for Every Day

This is my mom, on her 81st birthday, almost a year ago.  Since then, she was diagnosed with cancer.  Many of you who visit often, may remember the posts I wrote on this blog in June of this year, when I was staying with mom and dad through the earlier stages of her recovery from surgery and the beginning of her chemotherapy treatments. 

From May to now, our family has gone into the "let's understand and work against this disease" mode.  My dad, through it all, has been extremely patient and strong.  He has been the round the clock caregiver, housekeeper, cook, keeper of the medicine and transporter, now one has to understand - this is my dad, from the generation of - the "wife does all that stuff".  I delighted in the fact, in the last few months when I would visit he was in command of (for example) cooking a full breakfast (not that I wouldn't have done it, but..) cleaning up - along with making sure my mom had what she needed - and that included many things that a lot of men wouldn't want to do.  To make matters a little more challenging (you know it's never that easy), mom fell and broke her wrist about 3 weeks ago and I know she will struggle for some time with the ever present effects of chemotherapy.  But.....

We just got the news - MOM IS NOW CANCER FREE!!!  Thanks for all you kind words and well wishes and prayers.  It's nice to have support through these times.  Our family is elated and looking forward to a future where we can have our mom back again.  Through it all, she has hung in there.  Cancer sucks.  I was not surprised by the number of people I would talk to, who knew of someone who had battled this also.  Hopefully, the incidence of cancer will continue to decrease nationally and globally. 

On TV this morning, 'Sting' commented:

       "Winter is important to us, to reflect on what's happened to us in the past year

         and to look forward to the Spring." 

I am looking forward to that reflection time and beyond...and I know now....my mom is, too!!

Charcoal Sketch on Velour

"Mom in Santa Cruz" - 1946" - 4" x 6" charcoal sketch on gray velour - NFS

Once again I am using some old black and white photos that I just find so fascinating, borrowed from 'the family albums'. Mom looks so refreshing in her little midriff top and white skort. Looks like she is shining her sunglasses in her hand. Those were really cool sunglasses! Ya gotta love all the hair! She was a midwest country girl who got married and moved to the West Coast. Note: if you want fine edgy detail, be aware it's harder to achieve on velour paper. I think I would like to do a more close-up study of this one on different paper. (Originally I had stated that mom was in Oakland, however, I now understand that they were on a little weekend in Santa Cruz.)