i love you mom
If I lacked the words a few weeks ago to write about my dad, there are even fewer now. Just three weeks and 20 hours after my dad passed away, my mom took her last breath in this world and her first in the next. I had the special privilege of keeping vigil by her bedside the last three days of her life, and of taking care of her since Fred (that's what she named the tumor and its side effects) made his first appearance on February 9th. My mom was one of those amazing few who could take on the trials of life with faith and a smile, and light up a room while she was at it. There won't be a day that goes by that I will not miss the million little things I loved about my mom. She was and is one of God's greatest gifts to me.
mom
circa 1955
mom & dad
08.25.1973
our family
circa 1981
circa 1981
mom & the girls
mom & me
mom & my sister
Easter
totem pole of sass
complete zeal for life
mom bred cockapoos for 10 years
xoxo
our family
circa 2009
circa 2009
mom with 3 out of 4 kids
mom & dad on halloween
my parents
mom & dad
January 2012
"Fred" the brain tumor
February 2012
just before mom's brain surgery
March 2012
learning how to walk again
mom & torrey
my parents with all of their grandkids
April 2012
team jackie shirts
"My biggest problem is that the left part of my brain has nothing right in it
and the right part of my brain has nothing left in it."
opposites attract
beautiful as ever
the night of mom's first seizure
one of many MRIs
after mom woke up from her six day coma
hanging with mom in rehab
emma loaning her hair to grum
hanging at oncology
mom & dad on their 39th anniversary
08.25.2012
visiting dad in the hospital
August 2012
Stan reading Scripture to mom
so close
mom's very last smile
09.24.12
mom's last day
mom & dad on halloween
my parents
mom & dad
January 2012
"Fred" the brain tumor
February 2012
just before mom's brain surgery
March 2012
learning how to walk again
mom & torrey
my parents with all of their grandkids
April 2012
team jackie shirts
"My biggest problem is that the left part of my brain has nothing right in it
and the right part of my brain has nothing left in it."
opposites attract
beautiful as ever
the night of mom's first seizure
one of many MRIs
after mom woke up from her six day coma
hanging with mom in rehab
emma loaning her hair to grum
hanging at oncology
mom & dad on their 39th anniversary
08.25.2012
visiting dad in the hospital
August 2012
Stan reading Scripture to mom
so close
mom's very last smile
09.24.12
mom's last day
I have read this particular essay titled, "The Advantages of Having One Leg", several times over the past nine months. The closing paragraph (below) strikes me each time with a reminder to love as if everything might be lost. If I had this year to live over again, I would take it all on again only with a little more grace and, of course, for much much longer.
All pessimism has a secret optimism for its object. All surrender of life, all denial of pleasure, all darkness, all austerity, all desolation has for its real aim this separation of something so that it may be poignantly and perfectly enjoyed. I feel grateful for the slight sprain which has introduced this mysterious and fascinating division between one of my feet and the other. The way to love anything is to realize that it might be lost. In one of my feet I can feel how strong and splendid a foot is; in the other I can realize how very much otherwise it might have been. The moral of the thing is wholly exhilarating. This world and all our powers in it are fare more awful and beautiful than even we know until some accident reminds us. If you wish to perceive that limitless felicity, limit yourself if only for a moment. If you wish to realize how fearfully and wonderfully God's image is made, stand on one leg. If you want to realize the splendid vision of all visible things - wink the other eye.G.K. Chesterton, Tremendous Trifles
16 comments:
Noel,
I am so sorry for the lost of your Father and Mother.
We do not know each other, but I have followed and admired your work. I have been checking in to see how your family is doing and am very saddened to hear of your father and mother passing. Reading your blog I've admired your beautiful work and lovely pictures and your sense of humor the love in your family and most of all the love of God.
Prayers for all of you. May God bless and keep you.
Hugs
Rachelle
Noel-
My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
We don't know each other either, but I have been following your blog for some time as I enjoy your work and seeing your beautiful photos. I also enjoy reading about your faith and the wonderful quotes you post.
May God bless you with peace in the days and weeks ahead.
Hugs and prayers,
Jessica
I have read your blog for years and know you are an amazing woman of faith. You have inspired me in so many ways. I have prayed for your family thru this difficult time and I am so sad to hear of your incredible loss. I will continue to pray for your sweet family at this most difficult time. Our God is Awesome! You are so blessed with an incredible husband and 2 beautiful girls.
Oh, my, I just can't even imagine how you must be feeling right now. I lost my dad two years ago and that was just heart-rending. And then to lose your mom so soon after must be a knock out blow. At least you have the knowledge that they are together again and that you will one day see them again in heaven. Bless you and your family - I will keep you in my prayers.
Oh Noel, I am so so sorry!! You, Stan, the girls and the rest of your family are in my thoughts. {{{hugs}}}
Noel, I am so sorry for your loss. I lost my dad 2 years ago, far too young, as it was with your dad and mom.
I know you will continue to love and cherish your husband and girls every day; there can be no greater tribute to your parents than to continue the love they gave to you.
Wow, Noel. I don't know what drew me to your blog today but I felt the need to check in on you. Maybe it was your mom sitting on my shoulder, suggesting that you need a kind word. I am so sorry for your loss. I lost my dad to cancer 14 years ago when my daughter was only 3 weeks old. I know how hard it can be. I hope you find strength and solace in your memories and the love of your family. My prayers are with you all today. Thank you so much for sharing your mom and dad's story over they last year. They are truly remarkable and inspirational people.
So sorry for your losses. Stay strong.
I am so sorry for your loss...it seems I wrote a comment on the passing of your dad not long ago. I can't even imagine what you are going through, you and your family, but I do send you courage and offer you my deepest sympaties.
I have always thought, since a young child, that people who pass away became angels. So two more angels to watch over you and your family. Sylvie
Noel, I am so sorry for your loss. Your mom and dad sound like really good people. You and your family are in my prayers.
Noel, I stumbled on your blog from a link on TwoPeas. My eyes are filled with tears, but the joy of your parents shines thru. The love of your family is so obvious. The sense of humor in the photos is wonderful. I so admire your mother. She fought with everything in her and understood "the gift" of appreciation of the beauty of life that God gives those who face the end of this life on earth. I know you fill find comfort in your memories of such happy times with your Mom and Dad.
Terri
I am so sorry for your losses this fall! I am glad that your parents are together in heaven. From the looks of the pictures...they belong together forever!! I will pray for you and your family as you grieve. You have my deepest sympathies.
I am sorry for the loss of your parents. {hugs}
Noel,
I am so sorry for your loss. This post was an absolute beautiful tribute to your mom. I am so glad I found your blog at Sb.com. Thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Dearest Noel,
I am so sorry for your loss. Your words about both of your parents are so beautiful.
God bless,
Natalie
Bless your heart with peace and lovely memories. I know your mom was well-loved and for a mother, there is nothing better in this world. She was a lucky woman and you carry her in your heart forever...just like she carried you in hers. How difficult this season must be, but loving is always worth the pain...hugs to your whole family.
Post a Comment