I have greatly appreciated this quote by Doug Manning as I have processed though my Mom's death:
"Grief is a journey...we move from seeing the person by sight to seeing them in memories. Memories are also in constant movement..at first they are too painful for endurance, and every memory breaks our hearts. Gradually they help us establish the significance of our love and our loss. In time, our memories become our most precious possession. The ones that once hurt the most become the ones we never tire of telling. Then the memories wrap themselves around our being. And our loved one is reborn inside of our hearts. That is called the journey of grief. "
Just a few memories of my Mom that stir up in me great pain are: remembering my Mom's excitement every time I called (which was almost everyday). "Colette!!!' she would say, and you could almost see her smiling through the phone. Another memory was watching her hold, embrace, and sing to our children as if they were her own. Next, would be going with my Mom to her radiation / chemo treatment and realizing she was the bravest person I have ever met. Lastly, feeding her slices of mangoes the last few days of her life because she was too weak to feed herself.
Memories like these break my heart! Yet, I would never want to forget them. My memories are my precious possessions.
This is the last picture I took of my Mom before she passed away. It was a just a few weeks before her death, but I still think she looked beautiful.
I can just imagine my Mom in heaven right now! She'd be having her afternoon tea with Jesus, reading a good book or catching up with her own mother. This brings a smile to my face!
4 comments:
Colette, that was so beautifully written! What a great tribute to your mom and to this last year for you. Thank you for sharing that. And, yes, your mom was SO beautiful! She shined with Christ's light and love.
Wow, Colette, thanks for giving us a glimpse of your soul on this day. I wish I had remembered so that I had been praying for you but know that I will be tonight as I turn out my light.
I know I will be coming back to that quote in the future, either for myself or perhaps to share it with others...probably both. There's a lot there. Thanks for posting that.
I love the memories of your mom that you shared. Not only is it fun to get to know her a little more, it also gives me some ideas of things to aspire to. I think I'm especially challenged by what you said about how she answered the phone. But also that idea of relating to our grandchildren as if they were our children...that's something I want to remember in the future should God bless me with grandchildren.
Finally, that picture. Wow. I never would have guessed that it was taken during her illness, let alone during her final weeks. She is beautiful. It's so true that as we age, the inner beauty we have cultivated is what we have to "count on" and I'm thinking she had that in spades. :)
Blessings dear friend! You'll be in my prayers.
That was just wonderful Colette! And she did look just beautiful in that photo! You are in all our thoughts and prayers!
Collette,
Your picture of your mom through your memories is beautiful. She was truly a beautiful lady. Inside and out. The picture captures her spirit. She has a light in her eyes that is not of this world. Your mom was always so genuine. I always felt welcomed by her. I continue to pray for you as you miss her...and grieve for her...may God's peace rest in your heart..
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