I didn't post last week because nothing felt significant to write about...not that there aren't wonderful items and events happening all the time, but last week was different. Last week a friend of mine passed away...cancer....two weeks before her mother passed away as well.... I read the paper last week and she had no obituary, just a notice of death. For some reason I always thought that the people who didn't have obituaries, didn't have anyone who loved them. As I tore her notice out of the paper, I knew I had been sadly mistaken. Mary had many people who loved her. She has three daughters (like me), a loving husband, extended family, and many, many friends.
I met Mary because my oldest daughter and her youngest daughter are best friends. Her daughter asked me to take her school shopping last week. We spent the day together and she told me all about her mom. I learned more about what a gracious, kind, loving woman she was. A woman who never complained when the cancer ached her bones. A woman who had amazing strength and courage and who showed her love and appreciation of the people around her until it was time for her to let go.....
I learned how to be a better person for knowing her.
Still in times like these life has to go on. Somehow we have to continue to do the daily things we do like laundry and grocery shopping. For me it has new meaning. I feel so blessed that I can do these things and see the sunrise, and kiss my children and husband goodnight. I guess the point of what I'm saying is I am thankful for every moment and I no longer take anything for granted.
When her daughter and I went shopping, we looked like everyone else. No one knew that her mom and grandmother had just died... I knew it was important to do these ordinary things. It gives us stability and teaches us how to trust the world again... I was so proud of her and how well she handled the day. She is a beautiful young lady and gracious like her mother.
The people we spoke with throughout the day were kind which is so important. I have always taught my girls to remember to be kind to everyone you meet. You just don't know what they are dealing with. Believe me, everyone is working on something difficult...showing kindness to one another is the best way to heal each other...
Mary, I will miss you and I will watch over your daughter the best I can, but I know you are in the best place of all to watch over her and guide her...your presence will be greatly missed.... but never forgotten.