You held my hand and taught me to wait before crossing the street. Later you watched as I crossed the street all alone, only looking back for a moment before running off with my friends. Was it difficult to let me go?
When I was older, you taught me how to bake an apple pie; grow African violets and to eat ice cream for breakfast on special occasions (and “every day can be special, you added.”) You cheered me on; encouraged me to travel and taught me to be kind. You always laughed when you told me that “housework can wait! Go do something exciting.” When I was a tired, frustrated mom, you flew out for two weeks and potty trained Devin and Cody after I threatened to let them wear diapers till they were teens. You taught me by example to get back up whenever I got knocked down. You showed me that if I helped others, my own problems seemed so much smaller.
This week I held your hand and waited while you slept. Every day, I reminded you that you were a wonderful Mom and a one-of-a-kind Grandma. Did you hear me say how much I love you and that I was sure your brother John, my Grandma Mary and Aunt Catherine were all waiting for you in the angelic realm?
Nurse Kathryn said you might have begun “Your Journey.” I wondered if you were ready to cross over alone yet? I wondered if you would open your eyes and look back at me one more time as I did with you so long ago?
And then your eyes fluttered open. And you let me feed you a few bites of yogurt and you drank some juice. You fell back to sleep, not quite ready to cross quite yet, still wanting to hold my hand.
So much precious beauty in your writing. Thank you for letting us all into your relationship with your mom in the most extraordinary way. Love you.
Thanks for holding me up, Cousin!
Jeni, please whisper my name to her and tell her I love her…..
Jeni, please whisper my name in Mary’s ear and tell her I love her.
Linda
Yes, I will, Linda. I’m sure she will feel your love at some level.
Beautiful. Thinking of you and sending love❤️
Praying for you and your dear mom 💕
Sweet Jeni
Mary left a mark on all
who ever met her! What a wonderful mother and friend.
June
Beautiful Jeni, thank you!!!
Love to you Jeni. Beautifully captured – we can all feel the love. Send her love from me too and my thanks for taking me, so lovingly and graciously, poke boating all those many Thanksgivings ago! ❤️
Thanks Chako! I can’t think of Mom without remembering how she stored her poke boat behind her couch in her little apartment. And she could pull it out and put it on her car alone. Impressive!