Keeping you and your family in my thoughts and prayers, Audrey.

Thinking of you Audrey, at this time of passage, and lifting you and yours up in my prayers.  God bless.  C.

Praying for you Audrey.

very gentle bump

Thinking of you at this very difficult time, Audrey, and keeping you and your family in my thoughts and prayers.

Take care.

I am thinking of you and your family this day. gentle thoughts.

I'm thinking about you and your family as you try to cope during this difficult time.  I pray that you are comforted in the ways that you need.

I'm thinking thoughts of comfort, emotional healing and strength to stay the course.  This must be so hard for you and other family members.

Audrey, I'm sending gentle, caring thoughts your way during this very difficult time.

Audrey's mother passaed away a few minutes ago.  Please keep her and her family in your thoughts and prayers.

This is a difficult time for you, Audrey.  Sending sympathy and caring thoughts.  Your mother will be with you always in memory and love.

Holding you softly, Audrey.

Audrey ...my sincere condolences.....

I pray that the God of comfort and peace will help you through your grieving.

Hugs

Rita

My sincere condolances, Audrey. your Wondercafe family is here for you.

Not going to church, but I'll light a candle of concern for you in my heart, Audrey.

Vibes,

Mendalla

My deepest sympathies.

May you find peace in the special memories you share.

I am holding you in my heart and thoughts Audrey.

Sending caring thoughts your way Audrey.  Very sorry to hear that your mom passed away.

Holding you and yours in my prayers Audrey ...

Soft thoughts sent your way Audrey...

Thank you to all who have posted   encouraging thoughts here. I am heading home tomorrow to help my dad with all that needs to be done. I know there are some tough days ahead so I do appreciate all your kind words. My daughter and I were with her until a few hours before she died. Until recently she was well enough to be looking forward to seeing the Tempest at Stratford, and that was supposed to happen this week. While she could still talk she would say how much she was looking forward to going. We've decided to have these words  from the play spoken at her funeral on Friday:

In this time of need may love abound...cms

(((audrey))) we're here when you need us, a tea pot on and kleenex available, prayers for you & your family.

Audrey - I am sorry to hear this news.  I expect you feel as if a hole has been ripped into the fabric of your life.  I will light a candle and send loving, supportive thoughts towards your entire family.

So sorry to hear this sad news Audrey.  Losing a parent is so very hard.  My thoughts and prayers are with you.  I suspect you will be offering support to your dad and other family members in the days ahead, but please take care of yourself too.  Try to find quiet moments to feel all the things you need to feel.  And if you need a safe place to express all those feelings, remember that there are folks here who care very much for you and are ready to listen 24/7. 

Hugs to you Audrey.

Thanks, as it turns out this is much harder than I thought. We cleaned out her room today at the nursing home. How do you pack a life into five plastic bins from Zellers?

Oh Audrey - that is truly a hard thing to do.  Don't forget her life is you & your family and all the people she loved, the rest is just stuff. 

Wishing you moments of peace today, and reminders that you will be ok.

So sorry Audrey. Prayers and hugs sent your way.

Audrey - that is a beautiful passage you have selected from Shakespeare ... I'm sure it will be so poignant during the service.   Thanks for sharing it with us here. 

When my mother-in-law died, my husband commented as you have above, when he & his sisters cleaned out her room in the nursing home.  It seems we start with nothing in life, spend decades acquiring stuff & occupying more space, then give much of it away, until in later years many inhabit a single room with just a few treasures still around them.  Life expands, then contracts ...

Your grief is palpable ... I too still miss my mother and think of her often, although she died 11 years ago.   It does get easier, but not for a while.  My thoughts are with you.

((((((((((Audrey)))))))))

I think losing your mother is one of the hardest things life throws us. Do take care. May her memories and presence always be felt.

Thinking about you today Audrey.  Just wanted you to know.

Big hugs your way....

Thank you.

I went back to work today and found  a beautiful plant from my team in my office. Lots of people popping in and out throughout the day to ask how I'm doing. What's proper answer? The honest one is--not so good.

She had a beautiful funeral on Friday. I helped my dad go through her things yesterday and we had dinner and some tears. I offered to organize her clothes and we talked awhile about where they should be donated. We both agreed this was an important decision and decided on an organization where women will really feel warm and loved by her scarves, mitts, sweaters. I found a shawl my daughter knit for her for Family DAy this year, her last visit with her grandmother. So ofcourse that is going back to her. And all the quilts she made and one blanket I crocheted for her will be at the cottage later this summer.

When I drove back to my home town to see my dad yesterday I found a great big hole across the city.  I had a Timmies at the spot where my dad parked her wheelchair each Thursday, her weekly outing. Sat there until someone else came along who needed the space. 

Appreciate the thoughts and to those who paused to read and post--many thanks.

Honesty is good.  I suspect your friends are genuinely expressing concern, and if you feel up to telling them how you are doing, you can.  When I returned to work after my dad's funeral I was careful about when I'd talk about my feelings, because I didn't want my grief to interfere with my work.  However, NOT talking about it wasn't good either.  So I chose a couple of co-workers to talk to at quiet moments.  They were wonderfully supportive. 

I'm glad you found that place to be that made you feel closer to your Mom.  While those reminders of the "hole" are difficult, they bring us good memories too.  She sounds like a wonderful person Audrey.  I bet you're really missing her.  Sounds like you are helping your Dad out a lot too.  He's lucky to have you nearby to help him through this difficult time.  While I understand your need to help him, remember to take time to look after yourself too.

Thinking of you...

(((((Audrey)))))

Just came across this sad news - my thoughts and prayers are with you.

I remember your gentle caring presence at the picnic, and feel you'll be a great support for your Dad.

I too just came across this news.   I am reminded of someone telling me once how many folks carry heavy burdens that we chat too...and how seldom we know.  Audrey, when you arrived, I remember thinking how glad that you had been able to come, with all that was going on.....little did I realize how much was actually going on.

There have been kind words and I know heartfelt caring sent your way in this thread, and through people's days away from the cafe.

Do pop back in as you need or are able, and know the kettle is always on, the pot is ready, and a light is on at the door.

Ahhhh ... back at work, life rolling onward, the same, but so different.  Good to hear from you Audrey.   From the bits you have shared about your mom, I imagine her to be so proud of you Audrey ...  she hung in there 'til you met that special personal goal of yours, finishing that degree.   I love the image of you taking all her quilts to the cottage - her love will continue to warm you all as you snuggle up in her beautiful handiwork.   Be gentle with yourself. 

Driving along a country road I thought of you today Audrey.  Sending warm thoughts your way.

Hope all is getting better bit by bit and day by day, Audrey.  Please let us know.