A year has passed since my mother, Marjorie “went home to
be with Jesus”. This was a phrase we
used to talk about her passing. She made
this statement with a sense of seriousness and a sense of humor. She decided the phrase would bring a smile to
just about anyone, and she was right.
She was more than ready to go home during the last year of her life, but
she still held on to some earthly pleasures.
Nature and her home continued to bring her comfort.
Mom made the
decision to go to Assisted Living in April before she passed away in
August. She hesitated to have items from
home brought to Assisted Living. She
kept her home and visited it when she was able.
I realize now she wanted to keep her home intact because of the memories
associated with her possessions. A sixty
five year history sat within the walls.
That history followed her through six houses she had built over her
lifetime. The seventh and last home was
built several years before she bought it.
It was not her favorite house, but it was the container for her
memories. She delighted in the
landscaping and wrought iron enclosed patio she added to the house. She enjoyed bouquets of flowers from her beds
until four days before she passed.
My mom was a remarkable woman for reasons too numerous to
list. A stroke changed her personality
and reasoning. A hip fracture changed
her mobility and she became wheelchair bound.
She had a compassionate heart that was strong and determined. Her love for God, family, friends and nature
never wavered.
I wrapped my arms around her and held her for many
minutes after she passed. I could
clearly see a young Marjorie, RUNNING through a field of
beautiful flowers. She was closely
followed by Trinka, Gigi, Cher, Tilly and Becky, the dogs she loved, lost and
found again. That would be my mother’s
little slice of Heaven. I thank the Lord
for the gift of my mother, Marjorie.
