My whole life I have been blessed with the kind of relationship with my Mom that many never get to have.  There was a year when I was a teenager she loved to talk about. She would say she thought she lost me. Not literally lost me but figuratively. Looking back we would joke about what a waste that was to have spent any time not as close and bonded as we were.

We did everything together but mostly shopping. We loved to shop. There was no better mirror than her.

Any good quality I have came from her. She taught me, inspired me, and guided my way and set an incredible example of how to be a Woman, Mom, Wife, Sister, and Friend. You don’t get a better Mom than her and I feel blessed and lucky to have had the time we were given.

The Dash
I read of a man who stood to speak
At the funeral of a friend.
He referred to the dates on her tombstone
From the beginning... to the end.
He noted that first came her date of birth
And spoke the following date with tears,
But he said what mattered most of all
Was the dash between those years. (1947-2007)
For that dash represents all the time
That she spent alive on earth...
And now only those who loved her
Know what that little line is worth.
 What matters is how we live and love
And how we spend our dash.

Last year, a few weeks after we found out her cancer was back, I happened to be watching a Yom Kippur service on TV. I heard something that I must have known I would need someday. It reminded me so much of my Mom. It is a poem by Linda Ellis called The Dash.

Our Mom lived her dash to the fullest. There is nothing she would have wanted to change or do differently. She told me a few days ago she has absolutely no regrets. This is because she communicated with those around her everyday and never left anything unsaid.

She fought to the end and passed away on her terms. Nancy was on one side, Russ on the other, and Herb at the foot of the bed. She was hugged and kissed and told how loved she is as she took her last breath. It was a beautiful thing.

I will carry her with me always. You all will too.

Nancy
Monday, September 24, 2007