How she looked at 40 is how she’ll always remain. Frozen in time.
90 years. What used to be remarkable has become commonplace: celebrities, many of my friends parents, all three of my aunts including my mother’s own sister, living well into their 90’s.
That’s made it even harder as time goes by to accept my mom’s death– impossibly young, at 41.
She left an indelible imprint in a short time. Still…
I wish she had those extra 50 years: all she could have seen, all she could have been, all she could have given.
I wish we had been so lucky, so blessed–me, my father, my siblings, all the grandchildren and great-grandchildren she never knew.
To honor the 5 decades of birthdays my mom has missed, this year I decided to make a wish for her.
My wish is that everyone will feel lucky and blessed for the long lives of people you love.
Happy 90th birthday Mom. I wish.
Judy Brooks says
So beautiful. So sad. How proud she would have been of you, your children and the creative,
productive life you’ve led so far.
Xoxo
Suzanne Fluhr says
Nice honoring of her memory. 41 was much too young.
Rochelle says
Darryl thanks so much for sharing this. It is so powerful.
Darryle says
Thank you.I like to believe that somehow, somewhere, she knows.
Darryle says
Thanks so much for commenting, Suzanne.It’s hard for me to grasp sometime how young that really was especially as I get older.
Darryle says
I just couldn’t let the day pass without somehow honoring it. Thanks so much.
Lee Gaitan says
This is so lovely, Darryle. Your mom was such a beautiful woman–like her daughter! I’m so sorry you didn’t get to have with you longer. XO
Debbi Levin Zweiback says
“She whom you loved and lost is no longer where she was, she is now wherever you are.”
I read that somewhere and it resonated with me after having suddenly lost my sister, Jane, last summer. To loose your young mother so long ago is the bitter part of bittersweet.
What a kind wish you made in your mothers honor.
Thank you. I hope your memories have felt like blessings.☄
Caryn/The Mid Life Guru says
What a lovely tribute. Since my dad’s death in June, I don’t take longevity for granted any more. Cherish each day. Remember the best parts and forget shortcomings. Every day, every breath, is a blessing. xxoo
Darryle says
So sweet, Lee. Thanks so much for commenting.
Darryle says
Debbi, thank you for such thoughtful words; and my condolences on the loss of your sister. Beautiful quote and it definitely resonates with me, too.
Darryle says
Sorry to hear about your dad, Caryn and thank you for commenting.Unfortunately I’ve never taken longevity for granted and totally agree with you. Every day is a blessing.
1010ParkPlace says
Regardless of our relationship with our mothers, their imprint on us never fades. what a beauty she was! Like you, I’m honored and proud to be a breast cancer survivor. Before I started 1010ParkPlace, I had BreastCancerSisterhood.com where I met so many awesome women and we continue to root for one another. Brenda
Darryle says
Brenda, Thanks so much for y0ur thoughtful words. ! I had no idea you were part of the “sisterhood” and I’m looking forward to learning more about you and what you’re doing now. I too value the experience of our sites (in my case WHOA Network) for putting me in contact with so many incredible women like you. Thanks for tracking down my blog!