Memories

I returned home from Philadelphia on Monday with my half of my Mother's ashes. My sister has the other half. We've decided to scatter the ashes in places of significance to my Mother's life. So far, I will be going to The Black Forest and somewhere on the Rhine in Germany because my mother loved visiting Germany with my Dad. I plan to take her to the tulip and bulb fields in Amsterdam come Spring because she would've loved to see them and she was also part Dutch (her maiden name was Schoonover!).  My mother always felt that, "the land should be for the living" and was adamant about not being buried. I agree. I know some people think this is a rather odd practice but I can't think of a better way to honor and remember her for time to come.

There have been a few things that have made the last 12 days bearable. When I was about Grace's age my Mom read Charlotte's Web to me over the course of a couple of weeks. A chapter a night or something like that. There was something very magical about this and I've started reading the same book to Grace. She loves it and I am taking great comfort in doing something with Grace that I did with my Mom. My girls are the perfect remedy for a broken heart. They don't let you wallow in the pain. There's too much to do to make time for wallowing! My sister, Daphne. I cannot imagine this journey without her. Our Mom used to say that she had us just for each other; I just never imagined how much I might need her some day. And last but never least, Rob. You learn so much about a person in how they comfort and I couldn't ask for a more gentler or kinder man.

I've spent the last week trying to think of ways to honor this amazing woman and I have decided to honor my Mother by living. Happily and with gratefulness.