You know how things can go rolling along in your life relatively smoothly for a while and you feel like you haven't a care in the world? The sun is shining, the leaves are turning beautiful shades of color, the air is getting crisper and Fall is in 'bloom'. Work is going better, the kids are all healthy, my sewing mojo has returned - life is good.
Well it all goes to Hell in a hand basket with a phone call. My sister Renee, who had a full knee replacement last week, couldn't get my mom on the phone. My oldest sister Denise was on a cruise in Germany, my youngest sister Carol was in Ohio. So I was the one to drive out to Mom's only to discover she had died in her sleep some time on Monday. Renee had called the apartment handyman to check on Mom and he discovered her, shortly before Kevin and I arrived.
Stunned. She had been doing so well having returned the week before from a visit with Denise for about 10 days, enjoying the Fall colors of northern Michigan. Chester the handyman said he'd seen her Saturday sweeping the leaves from her porch.
As far as we can tell she just died peacefully in bed. Age 88 1/2. A good long life.
Yesterday was the visitation and today was her funeral and she would have been so pleased by all the folks who came to pay their respect and comfort all of her family. Childhood friends, former co-workers, bowling buddies, they all came. Denise had to keep adding and adding to the luncheon count -- so many people came. We have treasured friends who mean the world to us, doing what they can to ease our sorrow.
If your Mom is still around, give her an extra hug for me please. I miss mine already.
My sister Denise read this today at Mom's service and I hope you enjoy it. I don't believe the author is known but if I'm wrong please kindly let me know.
Life is like a journey on a train...with its stations...changes of routes...and accidents!
At birth we boarded the train and met our parents, and we believe they will always travel by our side.
However, at some station our parents will step down from the train, leaving us on this journey alone….but not quite.
As time goes by, other people will board the train; and they will be significant i.e. our siblings, friends, children, and even the love of our life.
Many will step down and leave a permanent vacuum. Some will move to another car for awhile and come back. Others will go so unnoticed we don't realize they left their seats!
This train ride will be full of joy, sorrow, fantasy, expectations, hurts, hellos, goodbyes, and farewells.
Success consists of having a good relationship with all passengers...requiring that we give the best of ourselves because we are all on this ride together.
The mystery to everyone is: We do not know at which station we ourselves will step down. So, we must live in the best way - love, forgive, and offer the best of who we are, including our seat if necessary.
It’s important because when the time comes for us to step down and leave our seat empty -- we should leave behind beautiful memories for those who will continue to travel on the train of life without us.
I wish you a joyful journey for the coming years on your train of life. Reap success, give lots of love and be happy.
More importantly, be thankful for the journey!
Lastly, I thank you for being one of the passengers on my train!
