Losing MY Oldest and MY First Friend

You are not getting old, you are just growing up!

When I was trying to decide on a name for my blog, Growing Up and Loving It, I remembered my mother’s physician saying to her, “Clara Belle, you are not getting old, you are just growing up”. As I started my encore career as a Realtor, I thought I can keep learning if I just continue to grow up...much better than questioning my ability to shift gears and keep the light bulb burning as I matured. My mother was a great example of never getting old in thought, as she was always curious to learn.

My Mother Passed at 97 Years of Age This Month

Although I am sad and I will miss my mother, 97 years of having my mother is a Celebration! As she was in care at a nursing facility during the Covid Pandemic, I was one of the lucky daughters to be with her the last 12 days of her life. As many of my friends and family know, I am the last of my family to be living which certainly leaves me with so many thoughts. As she was in and out, 12 days gave me a long time to think and to be thankful for my mother and my family. Most of my memories of my mother can be quite humorous and even entertaining. My family is usually known to enjoy humor...sometimes turning tears to laughter

The Moment I Will Never Forget

A young Chaplain came into our room and asked if there was anything he could do. I knew he knew my mother as he said she just loved to sing at the Village Devotion Hour. I shared that on Christmas Eve, my middle school daughters did not want to sit by their grandmother because of her love to sing as loud as she could. The louder she sang, the more she enjoyed watching my girls sink in their seats. The chaplain offered a prayer and then knelt down to my mother’s ear to talk to her and to me. He shared that we must both have wonderful memories. He asked me if I had any unsettled business and/or conflict and I thought for a few minutes with the answer, not really. At this time, a clear, sparkling tear came down her one cheek. We both knew she had heard what we had said.

So I Am One LUCKY Daughter

Out in the hall the Chaplain asked me If I knew how many daughters have their mother for 97 years without any unsettling feelings at the end of life. This was truly a CELEBRATION. My brother, John’s two children and our two girls conducted my mother’s service. They shared stories that illustrated the love my mother shared with her grandchildren. It was a true Celebration of a Life.