My mother passed away just over two weeks ago

[RFKHumphreyObama]

She had been receiving treatment for a long illness overseas from where I am living (I reside outside the US) but I was nevertheless by her side when she passed away. While the prognosis for her was not considered to be good, her passing at that particular time was unexpected and anyway I think that nothing could have prepared me for the loss of my mother.

She was 61 years old and, although that is not a particularly young age, it nevertheless is young considering that our family has a history of longevity in terms of age. She was always so vibrant and so full of life and energy –she was the life of any party –and even up to the final days of her life, she was optimistic and upbeat and put on a brave face despite her illness and the toll that it had taken on her. It just seems beyond belief that she is no longer with us. She had so much to live her and was enjoying life so much when this illness struck her down

I will miss her immensely –beyond what words can even adequately begin to convey. It’s going to be difficult to adjust to a life without her by my side and without her loving and comforting presence.

There is another DU’er on here – my cousin Shireen –whom my mother helped raise when she was a child and who also feels the deep loss and sadness of her passing. We will both miss her immensely

[bridgit]

1. i'm sorry for your loss, safe passage, mom...

:hug: O8)

[TOhioLiberal]

2. My condolences, socialdemocrat1981...

...It's hard losing your mom, I know; I lost mine in 2004.

[fizzgig]

3. my love and condolences to you

and your family :hug:

[GoddessOfGuinness]

4. I'm so sorry for your loss...

This poem by John Buxton has been a comfort to me at times when I miss deceased loved ones the most:

Wherever you go now I go with you:
I am the wind--I tousle your hair,
Fling it away from your temple,
Back from your cheek and your small ear bare,
Wherever you go now.

I am the sunlight that wakens with you,
I am your shadow along the grass.
In the quickset hedges when you go walking
I dance on the leaves to see you pass
Wherever you go now.

In autumn that scatters rain on your windows,
In winter that brings the silent snow
To lift long night from earth's laden shoulders,
My step by your side you still may know,
Wherever you go now.

Stare at the fire, at the corded molding
That holds the ash on the fire back there.
Do you not hear me? I am with you.
My hands are stroking your firelit hair,
And you may rest now.


Hugs for you, your cousin, and all your family. :hug::hug::hug:

[flamingyouth]

5. I am so sorry to read this.

I remember when you posted that she had fallen ill. You are in my prayers, friend. :hug:

[SPKrazy]

6. I'm sorry...

it's very hard to lose a parent...

:hug:

[NewWaveChick1981]

7. I'm so sorry, socialdemocrat1981....

:hug: :hug: :pals: I know you are grieving right now, and my heart goes out to you. :hug: My sincere condolences to you and your family. I know you miss her.

[Callalily]

8. You have my sincere condolences.

The ache in your heart will soon be replaced my fond memories.


There is a sacredness in tears.
They are not the mark of weakness,
but of power.
They speak more eloquently
than 10,000 tongues.
They are the messengers
of overwhelming grief,
of deep contrition,
and of unspeakable love.

- Washington Irving

[MissMillie]

9. I'm so sorry for you loss

:hug:

[BarenakedLady]

10. I'm so sorry for your loss.

:hug:

[Haole Girl]

11. Nobody ever knows us like our mothers...

...I wish I had the words to comfort you...

hugs for you and your cousin Shireen... :hug: :hug: :hug:

[myrna minx]

12. I am so very sorry for your loss, sd1981.

You and your family are in my prayers. :hug:

[hedgehog]

13. I'm very sorry to hear of your loss.

She was way too young to leave us.

[fortyfeetunder]

14. My condolences

To lose your mom so suddenly.
Wish you strength and healing in the days ahead.

:hug:

[Connonym]

15. My sympathies

Losing a parent is so difficult. I'm glad you were able to be with her at the end. I wish you and your family peace of heart. :hug:

[NMDemDist2]

16. I'm so sorry for your loss

:hug:

61 is way too young, I'm so sorry

[Guava Jelly]

17. I regretfully know how you feel

I'm sorry it just feels unfair because it just is.
Your mother knew you both loved her and i am sure she passed on knowing she was very well loved.
nothing anyone could really say could ever be enough.
It's not easy..:hug:

[femmocrat]

18. I'm very sorry, socialdemocrat.

My deepest condolences to your family. :hug:

[bigwillq]

19. I am very sorry for your loss.

:hug:

[cally]

20. I'm so sorry

I know how loving your family is. I cannot express my heartfelt sympathy. :hug:

[crispini]

21. Hugs

:hug:

[lizziegrace]

22. I'm so sorry for you

and your cousin. I've noticed your absence but didn't want to pry.

I cannot fathom the pain in losing a parent. :hug:

Lean on those still with you - include us. Don't go through this time alone.

[shireen]

23. she was really beautiful ....

[u4ic]

24. I am so sorry, socialdemocrat

Please accept my sincere condolences. I recall you mentioning you had a family member who was ill; I had no idea it was your mother.

She was a very beautiful woman. Love and kindness radiated from her face in the picture. She also looked like someone who was a lot of fun, and had a great sense of humour.

It is very, very difficult to lose a parent. It will take a lot of time to grieve. Please know we are here to support you, socialdemocrat.

Please, take care. :hug: :hug: :hug:

[shireen]

29. you're absolutely right

She was a very beautiful woman. Love and kindness radiated from her face in the picture. She also looked like someone who was a lot of fun, and had a great sense of humour.

She was all that. A really remarkable woman. She lit the room when she walked in. Everyone who knew her loved her.

[u4ic]

35. My condolences to you, too, shireen

:hug:

[MistressOverdone]

25. She was much too young to leave you

and I am sorry for your loss. But nobody, really, can ever take your mom away from you. She built you from the ground up, physically AND emotionally and your memories of her will be more than memories. They are who you are. At least that's how I dealt with the loss of my own mom.

[RFKHumphreyObama]

26. Thank you so very much everyone

Words could not even adequately begin to convey how moved and touched I was by your kind words, prayers, condolences and poems -I have been overwhelmed by the kindness, compassion and love of my fellow DU'ers. I would also be at a loss to convey how much your words have meant to me during this difficult time. DU is a truly wonderful place with a truly wonderful group of people

Thank you so very, very much -again, words are inadequate to convey my gratitude to and appreciation of you all.

To all those who have experienced the loss of their own parents -I am so, so very sorry. I now know what it is like to lose a parent and you have my deepest sympathies and condolences. I don't think anything can ever prepare you for the loss of a parent until it actually happens

Thank you all so very, very much once again :hug:

[supernova]

27. I'm so sorry SD, on the loss of your mom

:hug:

Losing our parents is about the toughest thing we ever do. Losing a child I think is perhaps the only thing that is worse. I was wondering why you hadn't been on in a while. I missed you.

Your mother sounds like a wonderful woman and she raised a wonder, caring son. Please take time to grieve, it's something we tend to gloss over in the West.

[southlandshari]

28. You are your mother's legacy

She raised a wonderful son and I have no doubt that you gave her many reasons to be happy and proud during your years together. As a mother myself, I'm telling you there is NOTHING in the world that can trump that.

You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers, my friend.

:hug:

[I Have A Dream]

30. Much love and light to you socialdemocrat1981. I'm so sorry for the...

pain and sense of loss that you're feeling. I will keep you in my thoughts.

:hug:

[Tom_Foolery]

31. My mother passed away on June 3rd...

after a long battle with lung cancer. She didn't even smoke.

I'm so sorry to hear that you've lost your mother, too.


:hug:

[Nicholas D Wolfwood]

32. My deepest condolences to you and your family.

:hug:

[Iris]

33. 61 is too young.

I'm sorry for your loss socialdemocrat1981. My husband lost his mom 2 years ago. He is an only child and she was like a second mother to me, so it was pretty hard on us. It's still hard in some ways, but something like this makes you appreciate every day your alive. It's a way to honor her.

[Sock Puppet]

34. I am so sorry

I can't even imagine. :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug:

[Q3JR4]

36. I'm sorry to hear that,

my condolences to you and your family.


:hug: