I know this might sound a little crass, however, you might want her to
collaberate on her obituary. First, it will help the family learn
somethings about her that they might have never known and that can be a
nice thing to have to remember. Second, she gets to have the last word
on her last word.

My uncle wrote his own obituary. He insisted that it be sent to the New
York Times and it was published there. He got to be publicly remembered
exactly as he wished.

My own son just asked me to write my own obituary. He said he doesn't
want to be haunted by me for not spelling something correctly.

I think it's a great idea. It's time for me to reflect on my life, how I
spent it and the many things I accomplished that I would want others to
know.

Even if it's never published, it would be wonderful for her to share her
life with her loved ones in such a way.

I hope this wasn't morbid. It was not meant to me.

Janet

I'm so very sorry, Tony. She's at peace now.
This is for you and siblings, may help with dealing with the loss.
May you go on with courage and always remember...
J
Your mother is always with you.

The young mother set her foot on the path of life.
"Is this the long way?" she asked.

And the guide said "Yes, and the way is hard. And you will be old before you reach
the end of it. But the end will be better than the beginning."

But the young mother was happy, and she would not believe that anything could be
better than these years.

So she played with her children, she fed them and bathed them, and taught them how
to tie their shoes and ride a bike and reminded them to feed the dog, and do their
homework and brush their teeth.

The sun shone on them, and the young Mother cried "Nothing will ever be lovelier
than this."

Then the nights came, and the storms, and the path was sometimes dark, and the
children shook with fear and cold, and the mother drew them close and covered them
with her arms, and the children said, "Mother, we are not afraid, for you are
near, and no harm can come."

And the morning came, and there was a hill ahead, and the children climbed and
grew weary, and the mother was weary. But at all times she said to the children, A
little patience and we are there."

So the children climbed, and as they climbed they learned to weather the storms.
And with this, she gave them strength to face the world. Year after year, she
showed them compassion, understanding, hope, but most of all....unconditional
love.

And when they reached the top they said, "Mother, we would not have done it
without you."

The days went on, and the weeks and the months and the years, and the mother grew
old and she became little and bent. But her children were tall and strong, and
walked with courage. And the mother, when she lay down at night, looked up at the
stars and said, "This is a better day than the last, for my children have learned
so much and are now passing these traits on to their children."

And when the way became rough for her, they lifted her, and gave her their
strength, just as she had given them hers.

One day they came to a hill, and beyond the hill, they could see a shining road
and golden gates flung wide.

And mother said: "I have reached the end of my journey. And now I know the end is
better than the beginning, for my children can walk with dignity and pride, with
their heads held high, and so can their children after them."

And the children said, " You will always walk with us, Mother, even when you have
gone through the gates."

And they stood and watched her as she went on alone, and the gates closed after
her. And they said: "We cannot see her, but she is with us still. A Mother like
ours is more than a memory. She is a living presence."

Your Mother is always with you. She's the whisper of the leaves as you walk down
the street, she's the smell of certain foods you remember, flowers you pick and
perfume that she wore, she's the cool hand on your brow when you're not feeling
well, she's your breath in the air on a cold winter's day. She is the sound of the
rain that lulls you to sleep, the colors of a rainbow, she is Christmas morning.

Your Mother lives inside your laughter. And she's crystallized in every tear drop.
A mother shows every emotion..........happiness, sadness, fear, jealousy, love,
hate, anger, helplessness, excitement, joy, sorrow..... and all the while, hoping
and praying you will only know the good feelings in life. She's the place you came
from, your first home, and she's the map you follow with every step you take.

She's your first love, your first friend, even your first enemy, but nothing on
earth can separate you. Not time, not space...............not even death!

tony.mcevoy@gmail.com said...

{{{{{Hugs}}}}} to you and your family.

My deepest condolences to you and your family.

Janet

I'm so sorry Tony.  I wish there was more we could do for you.  I bet she
was a wonderful woman and that she is free from pain now..

Pam S.