Me and mom at Silver Lake in Rochester, MN, around 1965.
In Berne, MN, at my grandfather's retirement party. I was about three and a half.
Mom and my sister, Christmas 1979.
With my son in 1995. I really love this photo.These are some of my favorite photographs of my mother. She didn't like how she looked in any of them, which is a trait she passed down to me. Heh. But I think she always looked beautiful. She was a young single mom at a time when being that was incredibly difficult, and she did her best to raise my sister and I. She made many mistakes, as we all do, but she was tenacious in her efforts to stay connected with both of us and our children. And at the end now, we are still connected.
Sue, my mother, died peacefully at her home on Tuesday, surrounded by what she loved, her husband, their pets, family pictures, and the belongings that she spent so many years collecting (I am just a regular pack rat, but she was a wacky, crazy, totally unchecked pack rat!). I will miss her, but am also relieved that she is not suffering any longer.
I can't begin to tell you all how much I have appreciated your kind words, thoughts and prayers through all of this and my family has been touched by all of your kindnesses. Saying thank you seems insignificant, but it's all I can say right now.
Thank you.
22 comments:
GREAT pictures! I especially love the first one of you with your mom by Silver Lake. Your mom's hairdo is really cute! My thoughts are with you today.
Tracy,
Although you and I have never met, your mom and I were very good friends. I thought of her as a sister and it greatly saddens me to know I have lost someone very very special. My husband (bubba) and I want you and the rest of your family to know she was loved and will be missed.
Vicki
Your Mom is beautiful, how lucky you had her as a gift!
Robin, Thanks and yeah, ya gotta love a good beehive! The second photo is right outside the parsonage at Grandpa's church, facing the road, did you recognize it? Must look different by now, or maybe not....
Hi Vicki, SO nice to hear from a good friend of hers, and thanks so much for your words of comfort. Would you mind emailing me when you have a chance? I'd love to talk more.
Thanks Terry! She was a very hip mom, that's for sure:)
I'm sorry for your loss, Tracy. Those are wonderful photos and memories - may they bring you, and your family, peace and comfort at this time.
As I scrolled through your memories I couldn't help but note that you are the same age as my firstborn... so your mom and I would be of the same generation. She will miss you and yours as I know I will miss mine. Am sure she is as determined as I would be to oversee and guide as much as possible. I know of certain incidents that I'm certain my own mother had a hand in after her passing.
I'm so sorry for your loss. Those pictures are wonderful. Don't every lose them. Take care.
I won't read read what everyone else has said, so that I can keep this honest.
I wish a heart-felt good-bye to your mother. And thank her for being a strong and resilient person. I think that you sound as peaceful as can be about her passing. So, she must have been an amazing mother.
Take care Tracy.
Tracy - so sorry for your loss - my prayers will be (and have been) with your family. Your mom is beautiful - I hope your memories will bring you some peace and comfort during this time - it sounds like they already have.
Tracy,
I'm so sorry for your loss. Those photos are really great. What a nice way to remember her. I love her long-hair 70's look.
My thoughts go out to you and your family.
Tracy, what a lovely tribute. I'm so sorry for your loss and I'm thinking of you.
Tracy, so sorry to hear about your mom, she looks to be a beautiful and kind person.
My sincere condolences. Thank you for sharing the pictures, and for your words of peace and wisdom at this difficult time.
Thanks Mary.
What a beautiful sentiment, Karen, about her guiding me. Thanks so much.
Thanks Jayne, I wish I had more pictures of her. Like me, she usually took the pictures and wasn't in them so much.
Thanks Daphne, well it's taken awhile for me to get to this place, and there were more than a few breakdowns along the way.
Thanks Stacy, I appreciate your prayers for our family.
Giselle, I love the long hair too! And it was the nicest auburn color too!
Thanks so much Lindsay.
Thanks Mary Ann, well, she sure had her moments:) but she was a good person.
Prettylady, thanks for your condolences and I am glad that I shared the pictures too. My mom would have loved seeing them posted! I should have done it before....
I love the first photo of you and your mom.
Just wanted to tell you that I am sorry for your loss. I am glad too that she passed away in her home surrounded by her life's collections. You and your family are in my thoughts. Take care.
Tracy,
My thoughts are with you and your family. It is great that you have so many wonderful memories to cherish.
Oh, honey. I'm so sorry! I'll be thinking about you while you're on vacation.
What a beautiful woman; I'm sure you will miss her very much. I lost my mother 6 years ago to cancer, but she is still with me everyday.
So sorry that you are having to face the final goodbye to your mum. I hope that you will be able keep happy memories of her close by .... it helps.
Tracy,
Thankfully it was peaceful. So sorry for your loss and glad you will really get away. Lots of sorting to do. Be well and brave. Nina
Thanks so much Lesly and N Warner. I appreciate your kind words so much.
Tracy - I'm so sorry to be behind reading blogs and came to this announcement late.
Your Mom looks like a lovely lady and sounds as if she was a lovely lady. She has left you with the most valuable inheritance of all - the values you so obviously live by when you write about your own family.
You'll always be connected to your Mom as she will be to you.
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