As many of you know, my mother died late Tuesday night, July 29. Although she had been very ill a few months back, her recovery had been good and she had been doing quite well. In fact, I spoke with her the morning I left for the Lambeth Conference.
I had sent her a large vase of sunflowers for her birthday and she wanted to call and thank me for them. She sounded fine. She was 85.
While not unanticipated, this still comes as a shock. Things done and left undone. The passing of a generation. The beginning of a new understanding of my self. Everyone's new position in the family as the generation moves up one. The closing of so many important chapters. The beginning of new ones.
I got in from UK this afternoon. Ms. Conroy picked me up at the airport and we drove immediately to Massachusetts, stopping on the way to pick up a daughter who had flown in from Baltimore to Providence.
Mother's funeral is Friday morning at 9 AM.
Thank you for your prayers and calls and words of kindness and condolence. My sisters in the UK with whom I shared a house not from from the University of Kent and St. Stephen's were simply wonderful in their care and concern for me. I could not have been able to have made it through without them.
I am a grateful debtor for so many of their small, random acts of kindness.
On Wednesday night, one of my sisters drove me to Whitstable, a lovely sea town near Canterbury. We got our feet into the UK mud and ocean and then found a delightful restaurant where we had fresh oysters to whet our appetite. I had steamed mussels in white wine for dinner and she had the sea bass. Oh, and chips. Of course.
It far surpassed fabulous.
We sat and watched the sun set and I snapped this picture. We raised our glass to my mother's memory and blessed her to Jesus where she now finds her eternal rest.
Now, she knows the truth.
Goodnight, Mother. May you rest in peace and rise in glory.
Lovely...thank you as your Mom and your love for your Mom inspires the world around you...bunches of Sunflowers are clutched as they raise up into the sky.
ReplyDeleteOh, my dear. My heart breaks with you. I have carried you in my heart since I heard this news.
ReplyDeletePeace be with you, my sister.
[Whitstable, of Tipping the Velvet fame ;-)]
ReplyDeleteMay your mother rest in peace, and rise in glory, Elizabeth.
"And flights of angels sing her to her rest"
Bless your heart, sweetheart! Prayers ascending in thanksgiving for the life of your mother and comfort for you and your family in your grief. Glad the trip home went OK ... we miss you here but are muddling along toward the sunrise!
ReplyDeleteI am so sorry for your loss Elizabeth. I am praying that His spirit will comfort you and give you wisdom during this difficult time.
ReplyDeleteBlessings, Bob
We all love you Elizabeth and so does God. Make sure you get some down time. We'll take care of the farm, no worries there. God Bless+
ReplyDeleteGod bless you and lift you up in this time of loss, assured of God's love and the love of a cloud of witnesses...
ReplyDeleteYou are at her funeral as I write and so I hold all of you in my prayers and we will remember you at 10.00 at this morning's Eucharist. Your mother died on the Feast Day of Martha and Mary... surely, well done, o faithful daughter of God.
ReplyDeleteYou are in my prayers.
ReplyDeletePeace be with you and those you love, now and in the days ahead.
She is among the truly blessed, those who are loved by God and who are honored by their children and friends. May she rest there in peace and rise in glory.
ReplyDeletePrayers for you and all those who mourn this day.
ReplyDeleteRest eternal grant to her, O Lord;
And let light perpetual shine upon her.
(O)
ReplyDeleteAs our Prayer Book says, may God recognize a sheep of His own fold, a lamb of His own flock, a sinner of His own redeeming.
ReplyDeleteGod's peace.
Eternal rest grant her oh Lord who placed her trust in You. May the choir of angels sing for her and may she rest in peace and rise in glory.
ReplyDeleteYou and your family remain in our prayers. Sue-z sends her love.
FWIW
jimB
I can just imagine your mother and Susan's mother sitting on the veranda in heaven discussing how proud they are of their daughters. Shalom
ReplyDeleteOh goodness - both for you and Susan R while at Lambeth. But prayers for her, for you and your family, and for all the things you meant for each other.
ReplyDeletePeace be with you and you are in my thoughts and prayers.
ReplyDeleteYou've been on my mind since I heard the news. Candles lit for you, your mother, Ms Conroy and everyone.
ReplyDeleteMay God's peace be with you. Your love for your mother shines through your post as her beauty shines through you.
You're in my prayers.
I've been holding you and your kin in my prayers for a few days now, as have many of us. Take what you need and we will be here for you when you're ready to be back among us!
ReplyDeleteVery sad news to get at a difficult moment. Prayers for your mother and your family.
ReplyDeleteMany prayers flying your way -- and Muthah+'s vision is a wonderful one! May you and Ms. Conroy feel the loving embrace of Godde, who embraces your mother in a new way now, and may friends and family hold you in your grief.
ReplyDeleteElizabeth -- no doubt about the relationship. She was blessed by having you as a daughter. I like the comment about your Mother and Susan's having a good gab.
ReplyDeleteBe well.
Please accept our condolences and prayers as well. I've only just seen this and am so saddened to hear of yet another loss among those at Canterbury. May God's Grace and Peace be with you and your family especially during this time.
ReplyDeleteOh Elizabeth- I have been away and not really reading blogs; yours was one of my first stops now that I am home.
ReplyDeletePlease accept my deepest condolences and so many loving prayers for you and your family, for your mother's passing.
May she rest in peace and rise in glory.
My heart is with you and I will continue to pray for consolation, for healing and for peace.
God bless you all.