Mama

My deepest sympathies to you and your family on the loss of your mother and sister. They both sound like extraordinary women. I'm sending some extra long and tight hugs.

Thinking of you and sending my deepest sympathies. It's no surprise where you got your great spirit. Peace.

May her memory be for a blessing, always.

((((((hugs))))))

Life takes you to all the places both light and dark. I hope there was some peace there for everyone.

Oh Darlin', I so sorry about this happening. Long ago my mother passed, and hopefully you got to the chance to talk and share before your mom's passing.

Many hugs and thoughts of strength are coming from me to you.

So sorry about your mom, Sharon. It's been a rough month for y'all.

Catty, thanks so much. Hugs are much needed. It hasn't all sunk in yet.

Schroeder, what a wonderful compliment! Thank you so much. I hope my version of her spirit is tempered by Daddy's happy disposition. She was mighty feisty, a force in any context.

Leigh, what a sweet wish! Exactly, like we hold their place in the universe with our love and our memories. Actually, I've got Bel (her ashes) set up in there on her bed with a bunch of her things. Writing this, it occurs to me that I should take Bel's ashes to Mama's wake. Is that crass? It sure will make a good story, years on.

Karen, you speak the truth. Most certainly, death is just another part of the circle of life, albeit a sad part. Is this KJ Karen or NOLA Karen or another Karen?

Oh, Morwen, I am sad, but we did get lots of time at the end. Even when she was done talking I talked to her. I hardly left her side the last week. I told her over and over again that she was a spectacular grandmother (because she was) and that we all loved her so much and thanked her so much. I think she heard.

Peter, dang, you're right. It's so surreal that I'm just walking through it on autopilot, doing whatever comes next, almost emotionless. Her service is tomorrow. I imagine it'll be emotional. I'm thinking I can manage a visit between Thanksgiving and Christmas. One of my regrets is that I didn't take her to New Orleans in all those trips. She loved it so.

As so often happens, something kind of funny has unfolded. In our family placed notice that ran with a picture in Sunday's paper, the content was focused on her life with my step-father. However, in the feature article obit that the paper ran this morning with a pic (and a teaser pic on p. 1 of the Metro section), the AJC reporter focused on her life with my father, whom she divorced when I was 11. They make curious set pieces (links to both in main post). I think both Daddy & John would be amused but that Mama would be positively mortified. Positively. Mortified.

Thank you all so much. Knowing you're out there helps more than you can know.

I'm so sorry for your loss. She sounds like an incredible lady, and no matter how prepared one is for such a loss, it doesn't make it any easier. Prayers and virtual hugs go your way.

Sweetie, I am so sorry to read this. You've had more than your share of late, eh? Sometimes life just SUCKS.

• Hugs and kisses to you and my deepest sympathies.

I'm so sorry, S. Your mom was an admirable woman who lived a full life. Love and hugs at this time.

So sorry. Sounds like she lived a blessed life and passed much love to her family.

• Love to you and your family. MB

Wow, Sophmom. So sorry to hear of your mother's passing. Again, lots and lots and lots of love and light coming your way from this end.

So sorry not to have been here sooner. I am so very sorry for your losses. Know that you are held in hearts all over North America.

The fifth of December 1916 was my Mom's birthday and she died in November of 1962. She died hard and I still tear up when I think of her pain. She was like you a third daughter and should have had a better fate.

Your brother wrote a wonderful obit. and the enclosed picture tells me your Mom would have been a very interesting person to have known.

Remember girl you have my shoulder to cry on.

JWL

I'm so sorry to hear about your losses, especially at this time of year. Losing your mother is tough (loss mine in Sept.). This will be my first holidays without her, but we've decided to celebrate her life rather than to mourn it. Hopefully, you can find a balance between using her death to improve your life and missing her physical presence.

She had to be a great Mom to produce such a great daughter as you, SophMom! Much love, and my condolences.

I'm sorry for your loss and sorry I didn't come by sooner. Hard as it must have been, it's so good that she was surrounded by family. Peace to you.