952 MOM

Night before last, Mom took a turn for the worse
So, yesterday, within three hours of having received my call
Will was on a plane
Steven, who'd been snow boarding in Aspen
Arrived here in time to meet up with Will, and
After renting a car, they drove from the airport straight to Mom's
Somehow, I couldn't cry till Will walked into Mom's apartment, and
Then restrained emotion, too complex to fathom, released
Barry and David flew in from the west coast, together, and
Having landed at 10:30 pm,  they rented a car and
Drove straight to Mom's, where they were warmly embraced by
Will, Steven, my sister, Lauren, her family, Marty and me
Before Will's arrival, Lauren, her husband, Mack and I
Made arrangements for what lies directly ahead
If you ask where I found the strength to do that without Will
I'd reply:  It's during life's most complex times that
Calling forth the inner strength of self trust proves vital
And as my sense of self trust had once been a slippery slope
I thank the spirit of my friend, Socrates, for
Whispering 'Know Thyself' into my ear in hopes of
Inspiring me to identify personal vulnerabilities in need of
Strengthening or restructuring ...
Though I've moved through these sad days without
Will at my side, I've felt his heart with me, and
The same is true of my feeling the heartfelt support
Of family and friends, both near and far

Within hours of having received my call
My strong spirited husband, three sons and I
Were hugging each other, for real ... And
If you ask, where we learned to value
The resourcefulness to restructure
Vulnerabilities into personal strengths
We'd reply in unison, our minds, hearts and spirits
Have been immeasurably enriched by
Two of 'our' world's greatest leaders ...
My high spirited father, Jack, and his precious, life long sweetheart
My mother,  Jennie, whose tender heart graced every person
Who ever knew her for one hundred, strong spirited years

And most especially
At this sorrowful time of immeasurable loss
The strength of my parents' spirits inspires us
With the depth of love that regenerates, forever
Suggesting that we all take comfort in knowing that
Once Jennie and Jack are reunited, the contagious nature of
Their love will shine so bright as to
Spill all over every one of us, each time we look up to see
A sunbeam sparkling as naturally as their smiles had
Warmed your hearts and mine
Whenever one or the other had expressed
Delight while eagerly welcoming each of us
Into the safe haven of their arms

I'd like to end today's post with one of many
Treasured memories that warms my heart
Each time it comes to mind:
Twenty years ago, while Will and I were in crises
My mother was holding me close when I said:
Mom, what will I do without you when you're gone?
At that, Mom smiled softly and replied:
I'll never be gone, Annie, because
When it's time for me to leave this earth
My heart will live within your own

Yesterday, when Lauren told me that
Mom had opened her eyes and quietly said:
I'm leaving ... everything will be fine ...
I felt immeasurably sad but not scared
Because, I knew dad's smitten smile
Has been eagerly waiting to
Welcome his beloved Jeannie, our beloved
Irreplaceable mom, grandma, great grandma
Aunt, sister in law, cousin and friend into his embrace...
And together, both will live in your hearts
And mine ... Forever ... And how!