My mother passed away yesterday. She was in her late nineties. She stood about five four, the granddaughter of western pioneers: she was born in an Oklahoma farmhouse just after statehood, and didn’t have a birth certificate until it began to matter. She grew up on an Oklahoma farm, rode to a one room schoolhouse on a horse, and was so tiny they had to put books under her feet so she could use a regular desk. Around the time of the Oklahoma dustbowl, she was introduced to my father, who worked at the local icehouse, by the nephew of Cole Younger, who rode with Jesse James. She and my father worked in Washington, DC, my mom in the US Bureau of Engraving, where she helped handle the huge wet sheets of special paper, under presses that could take a hand off, working with no mask, in a constant aerosol of inks.
By the time I came along they were living in St Louis, and they found their way back to Oklahoma, close to their parents, by the time my brother was born.
My mother loved taking care of kids. She worked in the church nursery for years and years. She and my dad loved camping, and they did a lot of it, finally building a lake cabin with their own hands. Her health began to go, slowly at first. But she survived five bouts of cancer, radiation, chemotherapy, you name it, and remained active. In her mid nineties she began to lose her sight, which was her greatest trial. She loved housekeeping, and insisted on doing it herself. Which pretty much describes her attitude toward life. She viewed horses as transportation and saw men walk on the moon. She died of just plain old age, refusing a hospital, which is a pretty good life.
I’m so sorry for your loss. Please accept my heartfelt condolences.
Condolences, CJ.
Both of my parents have died in recent years, but I find I haven’t lost them. They live as long as I do. At least. I remember the best of their long lives, not just the end. Just as they would want.
Condolences CJ. It sounds as if she was a great lady.
Condolences and best wishes at this difficult time. Eheu fugaces labuntur anni…
“One who wakes up from a dream thinks, ‘It is like this, and not like that which I saw in the dream.’ After death too, one thinks, ‘It is like this, and not like that which I saw before death.’ The dream may be brief, and the life may be long, but the experience of the moment is the same in both.” – Yoga Vasistha
Thank you for sharing the story of your Mother’s life with us. For you and the others who have lost loved ones recently, order a copy of HOW TO SURVIVE THE LOSS OF A LOVE from someplace. I’m not a poetry fan and can’t tolerate psychology books, but I adore this book.
Momma warned me that there will be times in the future that I will see something and think of her and be sad because she’s not around to talk to about it. She warned me it might be years later. It happens. You cry and move on.
Hugs to all.
So very sad to hear this. Why should it be that a whole lifetime is not enough? Warm thoughts to you, your family, and all those who who loved your mother.
You are in our thoughts and prayers…
CJ, you are in my thoughts and prayers. It is tough to loose parents. I lost my dad in 1953, when he was only 40 from Hodgkins disease which was diagnosed in ca. 1947. I lost my mom in 1991 from liver cancer, she was only 73. Both sets of their parents lived into their 80’s and 90’s. God bless you.
Elmore
This tree is at the gravesite of my great grandmother, who came to Texas in the 1850s and died in ca 1925. I was named Mary Elmore after her. She always went by the name Elmore.
Thank you all, very much. Jane will be taking care of things for the next week. You can check out things over on her blog, link at left.
My sympathies to you and your brother at this difficult time, CJ.
Condolences. She sounds like a remarkable person.
CJ, I’m very sorry to hear about the loss of your mother. From your description, I wonder if Illisidi got her love for riding, her small size and her great strength from your mother. I’d like to think she does. You and Jane and your brother David are in our thoughts.
I am sorry to hear about your loss. Thank you for sharing the memories; she sounds like a wonderful person.
Carolyn, I am so sorry to hear about the loss of your mother. I remember her as a wonderful lady, who I enjoyed meeting. Sue and my thoughts are with you, David and the entire family.
Brad
Our deep sympathy on your loss.
Jonathan
CJ, I’m very saddened by this news, and I fear I am helpless to provide any useful words of consolation for your loss, but I care very much for what you are going through. Wishing you peace…
Carolyn, I’m so very sorry for your loss. You and your family and loved ones are in my thoughts and prayers.
My sincere condolences.
May your memories of her be bright and lovely, and may your circle of family and friends nourish you through the grieving.
My deepest sympathy for your loss. She sounds like a wonderful person and your description of her life is very inspiring. *Hugs*