Some of these pictures popped up in my "facebook memories", from a year ago in August. I had made a trip out to Seattle to visit my mom for a long weekend; something I'd done annually for the past several years since my dad passed away and her pancreatic cancer was getting worse.
When I arrived, mom was there to pick me up at the airport even though another fever had started. She'd been getting them often over the past couple of years. A sign that her body wasn't doing well. But she still wanted to take me to her place of peace which meant a long drive (I drove, she slept) and a ferry ride to San Juan island. Her fever let up that evening, so we were able to enjoy a beautiful sunset together at Lime Kilne Park. Just the two of us. A tender mercy.
I didn't realize then that I would see her again 2 months later, this time in a hospital where she would soon leave us, for a time, and return to rest with her Father in Heaven.
I have come to learn that time heals, but you don't forget, nor would I ever want to. I cherish the memories of our time together; the pictures, videos, saved voicemails, letters, journals I have of both my parents. Life is short. But family is eternal and I am grateful for that knowledge.
*Mom doesn't like having her picture taken and here I was again, telling her to smile for a picture. She protested:
But then said, "only if you get in." I happily obliged. By the way, we love thrift store shopping.
This is a painting my BYU roommates gifted me just after my mom passed away. Isn't it beautiful? At first I felt like the artwork was of my mom, being called home to all the family waiting for her who had gone before. But it also felt like it was me, with my mom and dad and our ancestors who were ready and waiting to strengthen and bless me during this time on earth.
