Wednesday, March 16, 2016

Saying Goodbye #SOL16

The funeral was yesterday.  My mother's best friend died on Friday.  She was the wife of my father's best friend. My father is almost 85, and they've been friends since they were young boys. When Uncle John married Aunt Martha, Martha and my mother became best friends. Years and years of friendship - making a home, raising children - the trials and tribulations of that - experiencing an empty nest, children getting married, loving on grandchildren, all the ups and downs - the happiness and sadness of life. Aunt Martha was sick for a long time. She had pancreatic cancer and went through radiation and chemotherapy. She was clear for a while, but the cancer returned. She came home from the hospital about seven weeks ago, and the doctor gave her seven days. We went to visit her, and of course, she was sweet as always and in good spirits. My parents went to visit her and Uncle John regularly over the last seven weeks. They saw her the day before she died. I know everyone is glad she is not suffering anymore, but we're sad to not have her here. My mother said goodbye to her sweet friend and had the chance to tell her how very much she meant to her and how much she loved her. When my mom told me Martha had died, she said, "I had the chance to say goodbye to Martha. I gave her up one spoonful at a time."






6 comments:

  1. What a sweet sentiment- giving her up one spoonful at a time. What a loss for her family and your's. My thoughts are with you.

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  2. What a sweet sentiment- giving her up one spoonful at a time. What a loss for her family and your's. My thoughts are with you.

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  3. It sounds like your mom was grateful for the opportunity to tell her lifelong friend what that friendship meant to her. I got teary with her line that she gave her up one spoonful at a time. My thoughts and prayers are with all of you.

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  4. Your mother's quote at the end of your slice is as beautiful as it is heartbreaking.

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  5. How fortunate you all were to have her in your lives and vice versa. It sounds like she had a good passing...if there is such a thing...with friends and family surrounding her. There are some losses that are irreplacable.

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  6. It is so hard to start losing the generation that raised and shaped us. Your mother's line is beautiful.

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