Mom

My mom passed away Tuesday morning.

My dad, her husband of fifty-five years, was with her.

She died peacefully at home, as she wanted. No hospitals. No nursing homes.

I cried as the coroner left with her body. I needed more time.

I cried washing some of their dishes. I wanted one more meal with her.

My mother was spunky. You always knew where you stood with her. She loved her family and she loved people.

Mary Alice to some, Mom to three of us, Grandma/MawMaw to many, she was one of a kind. She never met a stranger and she loved a good restaurant and road trip.

I am a firm believer in music healing and lifting our spirits. Many of you who know me, know I love Brandi Carlile and the twins. If you knew my mother, you knew she loved The Judds.

These words, stay in my heart, they remain in my mind. It is a whirl of repeat, flooded with memories and laughter, and of course tears.

“This Time Tomorrow” (Phil Hanseroth, Tim Hanseroth, Brandi Carlile)

“When the fire inside that burns so bright
Begins to grow faded
It can be hard to see the ground on which you stand
Though you may not be afraid of walkin’ in the darkness
You will feel like a stranger in this land

You can try to carve a faith out of your own
But a broken spirit may dry out the bone
And the edges of the night may cause you sorrow
You know I may not be around this time tomorrow
But I’ll always be with you
Yeah, I’ll always be with you

When the hope that you hold tightly to has all but vanished
And there are no words of comfort to be found
You will know what it means to be lost and without love
May you fight to kill that deafening sound

But our holy dreams of yesterday aren’t gone
They still haunt us like the ghosts of Babylon
And the breakin’ of the day might bring you sorrow
You know I may not be around this time tomorrow
But I’ll always be with you
I’ll always be with you”

“Love is Alive” (Kent M. Robbins; performed by Wynonna and Naomi Judd)

“Love is alive
And at our breakfast table
Every day of the week
Love is alive
And it grows every day and night
Even in our sleep
Love is alive
And it made a happy woman out of me
Oh, love is alive
And here by me”