My mother passed away in the early, early morning hours of the 6th of January, at the end of a mortal life well-lived.
As I said at her funeral, it is an impossible task to try to capture her essence. It is also impossible to try to describe my mother in any brief way and yet, I have also found myself, since the funeral, at a loss for words when I sit down to blog about her passing.
So I thought I might show photos spanning that well-lived life as a tribute to her.
My mother is the child on her mother's lap. Mom would have been not quite two years old. She was the baby of the family so her parents and all of her siblings preceded her. There was quite a reunion, no doubt.
Always up to something . . . .
Mom told me
some photographer was passing through town and so Mom, of her own accord, walked down to get her picture taken and had to wait HOURS.
The high school drummer girl . . .
I think this is her senior picture.
A college girl.
A school teacher.
Those girls . . . . a close group.
Mom's parents' golden wedding party. This is a proof but I always liked how Uncle Lloyd and Mom were talking together.
Mom with her beloved dad.
My folks on their wedding day.
New parents . . . . and what a cute baby I am!
The little family in their "new" house . . .
My folks.
All three children present and accounted for now.
Thanks to some relative (maybe Uncle Clark?) for capturing this shot.
Three seemingly angelic children . . . .
Our family photo--we were outside in front of our little white house when this picture was taken--maybe by some passing photographer.
My folks sent out this photo for Christmas that year.
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Our family in the old family home.
The family with Aunt Mae
Mom and Dad
The family at the beach in California.
My graduation.
Sweet Adelines
I was home from college for a visit.
Home for another visit from college.
J's graduation
Ho, ho, ho, Merry Christmas!
An edited family photo, pre-grandchildren.
Mom and Dad
J's college graduation--now there are grandchildren.
Proud to marry off an old maid . . . .
Holding down the fort . . .
Mom on her own. Dad passed away about sixteen years ago.
A picture of Mom waiting for my family's Easter egg hunt that we must have held at Mom's house that year.
Christmas time, I think 2007, so Mom had had her knee surgery and her moves from assisted living to assisted living but was finally at Beehive. God bless Beehive.
Mom has passed away.
Mom and Dad are together again.
This picture is so "them" in their later years.
No more dementia, no more deafness, no more diabetes, no more arthritis, no more bad joints, no more cataracts, no more glasses, no more canes, no more starvation, no more digestive troubles, no more falls, no more strokes, no more surgeries, no more pneumonia, no other physical troubles ever, ever again.
Like one lady said to me, "So glad to hear your [parents are] well again." Hear! Hear!
We will miss you both for the rest of our mortal lives.
God be with you 'til we meet again.
7 comments:
Okay, I am fighting back the tears! What a beautiful tribute Patty. As they say, "A picture is worth a thousand words," and these photos said volumes. It is so wonderful to see photos of your parents together--knowing that is how they are now. Thank you so much for sharing this with all of us. I am glad your mother doesn't have to struggle anymore. Wonderful photos!
That was THE best ever! Loved seeing the pictures through the years (and the changing styles). What a nice tribute to your parents. Thanks for sharing it with us.
Thanks for sharing! I loved the pictures and the memories they engendered for me.
This is such a cool post! I love seeing the pictures of your parents and the pictures of the family and places from childhood, brought back a flood of memories. I was struck by how much you have some of the same attributes as your mom, the same head cock, the same smile and eye twinkle, totally awesome. And I couldn't help catch my breath at the excitement for her of seeing her family again, that is just so very cool. I know each day must be a struggle for you guys without her, but you are so right that she is healthy and happy where she is. I hope that gives you peace.
This is so wonderful Patty! I'm going to have to have James 'steal' the images for himself to print, I just love how you put it all together. Absolutely stunning and a beautiful tribute.
Patty this is a wonderful tribute. So beautifully expressed. The photos are priceless. Thank you from all of my heart. Of course the tears just flow and well they should. Aunt Edna was the best of the bunch and I knew them all. You have done a marvelous job of taking care of her for such a long time. Thank you.
I just found your blog from Aunt Venna Rae's. I was in the LaVerkin 1st ward years ago and still remember your Mother and her example. She was so friendly and loved to serve. What a great woman!
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