Tuesday, March 04, 2008

Moving On

It was a week ago today that Mom died but it feels like it was yesterday! Her memorial service was this past Saturday on a gloriously sunshiny day in the 60's. Amy, Dennis and Nicholas came. In fact, Nicholas sat between Donica and me and held Donica's hand throughout most of the one-hour service. He was precious to us.


You'll appreciate this: Mom's urn will be situated just above Sam's (Donica's cousin-in-law) at the cemetery, where both of them can look out to Mom's own mother's plot from before I met Donica in 1993. The wee urn you see here in the photo will hold the gold leaf with Deveeree's name from when she was cremated in CA 9 years ago after her car accident. That's Mom's youngest child, Donica's sister. Both urns will be together in the same crypt. Mom did not want to be alone and liked that idea.


On my Shutterchance photoblog this week I'll be posting images of flowers from Mom's yard or the arrangements that came to the house while we watched and waited. They will reflect what I was feeling these last 3 weeks.

In the meantime, life is moving on! Donica is in a leadership conference as a participant all week at a downtown Atlanta hotel. We'll go back to Mom's house over the weekend to work on disbursing the possessions and figuring out how to sell the house. Then on Monday the 10th, we both fly back to Amsterdam.

Miles to go before we sleep. And many emotions still to sort through. But we have felt the love and comfort of people all over the world, including all of you who have visited us here. Thank you for that. Thank you for your part in helping us move on.

15 comments:

  1. There's a lot of hard stuff still to get through, but each passing day will make things a little easier. The "absence" she has left behind will never fully disappear for any of you. Wishing you strength to get through the next few weeks, Ginnie.

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  2. Hey my dear friend,
    Thinking of you and your mom, take care you there:) with love

    JoAnn

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  3. Bless you both, She sure looked like a very lovely and warm person.
    I like the idea of the other urn.

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  4. It's important to get all these particulars in place so you can move on. I appreciate that about you especially, how you engage completely with what you're going through, the whole gamut of the experience.

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  5. It's a difficult challenge to go through, and I'm wishing you both the strength you need in the coming time. Hugs!

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  6. I absolutley adore that smart outfit she's modelling in the picture. It's not something I could wear, but she carries it off perfectly! The picture is definitely a celebration of her life.

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  7. Karen: It all happened so quickly--less than a month's time from beginning to end. Now that Donica is back at work and I'm at home, we have a chance to feel our emotions and to move on. Yes, one day at a time.

    JoAnn: Thank you. Thank you.

    L&N: She will be so very missed, Lilli. I can't begin to tell you how much. Every time we came home we spent a day with her, so there will now be a great void in our lives!

    Ruth: I guess you know me only too well, dear sister. It's all in the details for me, as you know. Little by little, we will get through it all, including the selling of the house, once probate is done a month or so from now.

    CS: Thank you, dear friend. We have had and will continue to need strength for each day. It'll take a long time before it all hits us!

    Ex-S: Mom could get away with murder! She was one classy lady and wore it all well. You would fall in love with her!

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  8. I think keeping busy will help it not to hit you as hard! And what lovely posts and photos you have been presenting...

    I still can't believe we will be so close but so far away from seeing each other again and CS will have seen you just before I get to see her... IT's crazy how we can transport ourselves these days!

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  9. Very sorry not to have chimed in sooner and to have been here sooner, but it is clear you are surrounded by love. Frequently Jane or I have something we want to tell my parents. We often think of writing them down so we will have them when we get there. I may not get here too frequently, but you're not absent. Yesterday Melissa and I went to NYC together and talked about some tips you had passed to her. Big e-hugs from us all.

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  10. ET: Keeping busy does help and for Donica, being at a conference this week has been a good way to get back to work. All things have worked out for the good. Thanks.

    Ted: We have definitely felt surrounded by love, Ted. I sure do wish I could remember the tips I passed on to Melissa, though. Don't have a clue. :)

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  11. One day at the time mlv, we all know that life goes on, sometimes it is hard, going back to work and getting back in routine might work.
    There will be times that it will be tough and than friends will stand up to help. See you both soon.

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  12. Stopping By Woods On A Snowy Evening

    Whose woods these are I think I know.
    His house is in the village though;
    He will not see me stopping here
    To watch his woods fill up with snow.
    My little horse must think it queer
    To stop without a farmhouse near
    Between the woods and frozen lake
    The darkest evening of the year.
    He gives his harness bells a shake
    To ask if there is some mistake.
    The only other sound's the sweep
    Of easy wind and downy flake.
    The woods are lovely, dark and deep.
    But I have promises to keep,
    And miles to go before I sleep,
    And miles to go before I sleep.

    I love this poem. My students memorize it each year and now I'll think of Donica and her mom every time!

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  13. Onada: Thank you so much for your kind words. We're getting better with every day!

    Astrid: One day at a time is what it takes, mlv. Yes. Little by little! In a couple more days we will see you, and that will definitely help!

    Don: It's really a great poem to memorize! And yes, now you'll think of Donica and Mom. I like that.

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  14. So sorry for your loss of Mom. I can tell you have many good memories of her. Thanks for your sharing here.

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