Closing Doors

Over Easter weekend, I went to PA to visit family. Dinner was wonderful, but the company was priceless. Sunday service at the Wellsboro Free Methodist Church was a pleasant surprise, as it was a contemporary service with a compassionate pastor who shared a word that spoke to my heart and had a practical, daily life application.

A bittersweet chore while there was to pack up those personal items from Mom's estate that were coming back to NY with me. It felt extremely strange to be boxing up things that meant so much to her, and that expressed her personality so completely. I did well holding back tears, until we opened the hope chest in the basement and went through all of those things she saved.

Memories were packed in the chest. Baby clothes, old report cards, photos, cards sent to her, items her grandchildren had made for her, graduation and concert programs, doileys she had made, her wedding gown and gloves, and many other things of value to her alone.  

This was the most difficult part of the weekend, as it made our loss complete. She was a wonderful lady, a loving mother and grandmother, a faithful friend. I miss you, Mom.