A little break

My sweet sweet mother in law passed yesterday. She is the one inspiring my bread pudding and pie baking, trying to sort out all of the feelings I have where she is concerened. Almost a year ago, she was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. I always knew she had super human toughness, but until I watched her endure the months of surgeries and rehab, I had no idea anyone could actually be that tough. Instead of complaining when we would come to see her in the hospital after her surgery that left her with a scar that ran the width of her belly, she would look at M and ask if she wanted to see Grandma's owie. She was the most unassuming and loving person I have ever met. I remember the first time I met her. I was so nervous to meet his parents for the first time. We showed up at their house, she made us dinner and afterwards, everyone got a calculator and we all sat down and played Jepoardy on tv.! It was so odd and so comfortable and I knew right away things would be good. I remember when I had my first baby and how worried she was about me. How she hovered and worried- you didn't always see that side of her- she is a sweet stoic Englishwoman. I remember feeling how comforting it was to know how much she loved me.  She was a constant in our lives. And we had so much in common. Some  saturdays she and Pakka would come over to our side of town and we would drive her around and she , hubby and I would go to the estate sales while Pakka stayed with the kids. Two nights before she died, we all were at the hospice with her and Jepoardy came on ,and in one of her more enthusiastic times in days, she said,"Lets all play". It felt so oddly full circle. We are just heartbroken over here. My little almost two year old nephew showed up at her house this morning, saw her picture on the fridge and kept pointing at it. Then he took Pakka's hand and walked him around the house, looking in all the rooms for Grandma. That is pretty much how I feel today. A little lost, wandering around, hoping to find her in the next room, sitting at the couch playing jepoardy. So I am taking atleast the week off, to help plan the funeral and let some of this sink in. One sweet thing hubby's sister thought up is to hand out Christmas Crackers after the funeral. She loved her Christmas Crackers. It is going to be so sad this year, not to be able to look across the table at Christmas and see her, with that sweet face, wearing her tissue paper hat from the crackers.

Comments

[Kimberly]

I am so sorry you lost not only your family member, but also someone who is a dear friend. My heart goes out to you all and the children.
=:8

[geek+nerd]

So sorry for your loss - hugs to you and your family!

[Elizabeth]

Mo, My thoughts are with you and your family as you have lost your mother-in-law. Look what wonderful memories you have and will have of her for the rest of your lives. Hugs to you all.

[Selena]

Hugs to you Mo. Thank you for sharing stories about your Mother in law with us. She sounds like a loving and welcoming person. Let me know if you need anything.

[Mary Lynn]

Mo,

I am so very sorry. You are blessed to have a wonderful relationship with a grand woman.

Hugs.

Mary Lynn

[Mary Lynn]

Mo,

I am so very sorry. You are blessed to have a wonderful relationship with a grand woman.

Hugs.

Mary Lynn

[Mary Lynn]

Mo,

I am so very sorry. You are blessed to have a wonderful relationship with a grand woman.

Hugs.

Mary Lynn

[Mary Lynn]

Mo,

I am so very sorry. You are blessed to have a wonderful relationship with a grand woman.

Hugs.

Mary Lynn

[Lynne]

Mo, I am so, so very sorry for your loss. It is indeed a blessing to be loved by your husband's parents, and I know that her love and commitment for her family will leave a legacy for your children that will be significant for them for their whole lives. Blessings to you, my friend, we will pray for your family.

[laurie]

Aw, Mo. Big hugs to you! I hope the things you learned from her and the good times you had with her soon replace your sorrow.

[Art Tea Life]

oh Mo
I am so sorry.
This was the last thing I expected to see.
I know nothing I say right now will mean much
But believe me I am thinking of you and my heart is aching right now
for all that you are dealing with and going thru.
My thoughts will be concentrated on sending you love over this next week while you take care of things.
I hope you will find some peace in between the aching.
Much Love, S.

[Cynthia]

I am truly sorry for your loss. And so soon after your aunt. It is like living through a fog with the loss of a loved one. I will keep you in my prayers, take gentle care...

[Karen]

I am so sorry for your loss. You and your family are in my prayers. God bless.

[dorie]

Mo, my thoughts are with you.

[babybug]

i'm so sorry for you and your whole family.
my grandfather died of pancreatic cancer when i was twelve.
take care and know that i'm thinking of you. big hugs from us to you.

[Tami]

I'm sorry that you lost your mother-in-law. It's a great thing to have had a loving relationship with your MIL although I know that just makes the loss all the more sad. Hugs.

[Sasha]

My deepest condolances. You will miss her forever but you have such nice memories. Take care!

[Jan]

What a lovely remembrance. I'm so sorry for your loss.

[jennifer w.]

I am really sorry to hear about your mother-in-law. It has been two and a half years since my father-in-law's passing from pancreatic cancer, and I still think about him every day. Sounds like you had a lovely service for her. Take care - my heart is with you.