Looking back on 2014, I recall fondly my dear mother. She was my biggest fan. She was my biggest promoter. She would proudly spout "My daughter wrote a book." "Tell them about your book, dear."
I'll tell you about my book later. I want to tell you about my mother.
We celebrated her 85th birthday in April and everyone at the party put inspirational sentiments in words on paper, for her to pull from a jar. Papers that she could look at each day and be buoyed by our love. It was a fun party. She enjoyed herself. She seemed to be in pretty good health.
However, she passed away at the end of May. Rather suddenly. But, I know she read every note in that jar beforehand. She must have gone to the Great Beyond knowing she was cherished.
Here are some of the words written to "Grandma" by grown up grandchildren and little great-grandchildren and other family members:
"I love your radiant smile!"
"I love you so much. I like when you give me money for my purse. That is so generous!"
"I love you always"
"I love your phone calls"
"Thank you for all you do!"
"You are the most poised and graceful lady I know"
"I love your hugs and kisses"
"You are very special to me."
"Every time the topic of mothers-in-law comes up I always let people know that I have the best one in the world"
"I love you for always being there for me and being so loving and supportive"
"You are someone whom I respect and love dearly. I don't think you know how much I love you, or the effect you have had on my life! Your kindness, generosity, sense of humour ,and faith, are some of the many qualities of yours that I admire ."
"What I love and admire about you the most is your pure heart, radiant spirit, and hilarious sense of humour..."
On the evening of her passing, I wrote a note to her on the back of an envelope and pinned it to the bulletin board beside her hospital bed:
Dear Mom,
I love you. See you tomorrow.
(I decorated it with little hearts.)
The nurse called me an hour after I went home and said how sorry she was to deliver the news that my mother had passed away. I asked her for details. She said that she went to make mom more comfortable for sleeping and had lowered the bed and tucked her in. Mom had pointed to the note. "What does that say?" she asked.
The nurse read her my words.
And with that, my mother closed her eyes contentedly and exhaled her final breath.
Now I will tell you about my book. Because my mom would want me to do that. It's called Making Dying Joyful ~ Stories of Companionship. The author is me, Gail Bennett Owens. It's available from my website www.makingdyingjoyful.com or you can order it from your local bookseller.
I miss her terribly. I love her to bits. Forever and always.
Best wishes to all my dear readers. I hope you enjoy good health in 2015.
