On a very personal note
Regular readers of The Friendship Blog may have noticed that I was AWOL for the last week. That was because my mother passed away on May 12th. While her health had been declining rapidly and it wasn’t completely unexpected, the death of a loved one always slows you down as you take stock of both the richness and fragility of life. I am so appreciative of the support of my own family and friends who descended like angels to embrace me and help me through this difficult passage.
My mother, Helen, and her best friend, Belle, are pictured here. They remained lifelong friends until my mom was no longer physically able to speak to Belle on the phone. My mother was extraordinarily social throughout her life and had a knack for making friends, even with strangers.
Irene
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I’m so sorry for your loss! (((hugs))) You are in my thoughts and prayers, Irene.
Hi – Jodi from WOW asked me to send you a copy of my book for the tour. She said you were out of town. I came on here to check out your blog and saw the note about your mother. I am so sorry for your loss. Even if someone has been ill there is a huge hole to fill when they are gone. I still have my mother, but my husband died two years ago. I just wanted to you to know I was thinking of you and hope you are doing well. Barbara
I so appreciate your expressions of warmth, sympathy and kindness. They are deeply felt within my heart! Thank you, dear friends.
Best,
Irene
I am very sorry for your sad loss. I am reading your book right now, and I think your Mom must have been so very proud of her wise and wonderful daughter. Both of my parents are gone now, and I realized after I lost my own beloved Mom two years ago that she was indeed, and always had been, my one true “Best Friend Forever.” I am so sorry that I lacked the insight to appreciate that simple truth while I had the chance to more fully express my gratitude to my Mom. I note in your book you mention the phenomenon of friends who fail to appreciate the wallop that the death of a parent brings, and who are not supportive of us during our sadness. There is an old saying that, “grief will rewrite your address book,” and I had that experience to some extent after the loss of both my Dad and Mom when various so-called friends failed to show up or even extend sympathy. I hope that you are surrounded by loving and empathetic friends and family members who also knew and loved your Mom. Sending you deepest sympathy, and good wishes for peace and comfort as you come to terms with your loss.
Sorry about your Mom. You are in my prayers.
God bless you,
Beth
I too have lost a parent. I lost my father just two years ago. Although I live in a different country for the past 28 years, my father and I were very close. He was my best friend.
There are days where it is difficult , I sometimes feel like I have no one to confide in, to ask questions to, but he is here with me and I find the way to realize what he would say to me in a particular situation. During the Shiva (mourning period) I was surrounded by my closest of friends. Having my friends around me – strengthened me.
Today I enjoy my memories of my father – he is still a very “live” part of my life.
Shari
I’m so sorry for your loss, Irene. Losing a parent regardless of the circumstances is just freakin’ hard. I lost my mom when she was 45 (23 years ago) to colon cancer…it still makes me sad to think of all the things in the lives of my sister and myself we missed sharing with her. May the memories of her life and love wrap you in a soft blanket of comfort now and in the coming days, months and years…
Best regards,
Amanda