Missing my mother... one year later.

January 17, 2013.   Today is the one year anniversary of my mother's death.

If you missed earlier posts about my wonderful, warm-hearted, fiesty, always sassy/sometimes brassy, totally endearing, blingtastic, fiercely-loving mom, please look HERE, HERE and HERE for some of my favorite "[Amazing] Grace" stories.

Someone recently said simply, "Grace was quite a gal."  Yeah... she was.  She really was.

It's hard for me to believe she's been gone a year now.  A whole year without her?  How can that be?

We were very blessed and fortunate that she had 88 wonderful, healthy years.  That was a gift that I am thankful for every day. She was living independently in her own apartment, active, driving, visiting with friends, and enjoying her life until she got sick in mid-November, 2011.  She died 2 months later, on January 17, 2012 -- in my home, with Hospice support and family caregiving.

I think of her every day, and although I am grateful for all the years and memories we had together, I miss her every day -- so very much.  And I know I always will.

I thought about her when my daughter graduated summa cum laude with her Master's Degree in Social Work.  Mom would have LOVED to have shared in that.  She was always so proud of each of her 6 grandchildren and 3 great-grand-children.   None of them ever had a greater fan.

I thought about her when my sister and my daughter and I traveled recently to Maryland to visit our other sister.  My mom would have LOVED that. She'd have probably gone along, too, the Queen Bee Riding Shotgun.

I thought about her when my husband and I recently spent two weeks in Cancun;  I made a Photo Journal of that vacation and since my mother ADORED photos, she would have LOVED that!

I thought about her when my sisters, our husbands and I recently made plans for an upcoming Arizona vacation together.  Mom probably wouldn't have gone along on that trip (in her later years she really shied away from flying) but she would have been thrilled that "her girls" were vacationing together, and she would have expected (and received!) daily updates (phone calls AND emails), and of course a copy of every photo any of us took.

I think about her every time I have spaghetti with really chunky meat sauce; it was her all-time favorite food EVER.  In fact, sometimes I make spaghetti (with really chunky meat sauce) -- just because.

I miss her when something good happens because she would have rejoiced with me in that wonderfully unselfish way that only mothers can.

I miss her when something is troubling me, because she always patiently listened to me, and genuinely shared any sadness I felt.

I miss her when I have a question about my dad, or my grandparents, or about how things were in our family before I was old enough to remember... those kind of questions now will always remain unanswered.

I miss her when something silly happens, or I read or hear an especially funny joke.  She loved to laugh.  We had the same quirky sense of humor, and she and I would frequently *CRAAAACK UP* over things that other people barely found funny.

I miss her whenever I see bright, glitzy, over-the-top scarves and jewelry. She LOVED that, and she had a totally inimitable style -- colorful and unique (and always sparkly!)  I think of her hundreds of times every day.

Life changed a year ago when she died, and it's sad and sobering to know that it will never be the same.   But yet, in many ways, she still lives on, in me and my sisters... and in our children.  Those thoughts, along with the many memories, photos and letters I have and cherish are what help me to live without her. 

I love you and I miss you, Mom.   So very, very much. 
And I always will.

AMAZING GRACE

3/31/23-1/17/12

This memorial post is dedicated to my dear mother, Grace, who passed away in my home on January 17, 2012.

When I think of my mother, I just can't help but smile.  My mother ADORED her family, and treasured her friends.  She was loving, generous, funny and feisty.  Anyone who knew her described her as "full of life".   With her love of bold, bright colors and *alotta bling* (rhinestones and sparkle and goldtone, ohmy!), plus her VERY witty sense of humor, she truly was the life of any party.

My mother would be the first to tell you that she was a little bit "spoiled".  An adored youngest daughter and pampered wife, she would often brag that she had never balanced a checkbook, painted a room, stripped a floor, planted a garden, hung wall-paper.   ("Why?", she would ask, "when someone else would do it for me?!")

So (obviously!) there were many things I did not learn from my mother, but that's OK, I could learn those on my own.  But my mother did give me one invaluable, priceless gift -- that I never could have learned without her -- and that was unconditional love.  My mother loved my sisters and me with a fierce, protective, mother-bear love -- and we always knew this.

I have always been close with my mom.  When I was little, she used to lovingly refer to me her "shadow", because where she was, I was... stuck to her like velcro.  I loved nothing better than sitting on the porch with her on warm summer nights, side-by-side and "talking", feeling ever-so "adult".  As I grew a little older, we had our normal teenager vs. adult squabbles, but honestly, they truly were few and far between.  As I grew into adulthood and got married, we remained close, and she even moved 100 miles to be closer to me, my husband and our son.  She was always a supportive mother and doting grandmother, and she loved her sons-in-law as her own.

My mother was 88 years old when she died.  The first 85 years were active, independent, healthy, wonderful years.  At age 80, after the death of her second husband (whom she married at age 68 after a less-than-one-month courtship -- I kid you not!), she sold her home and moved into a lovely senior high-rise apartment.  Talk about easy livin'!  And in her usual "Grace fashion", she charmed the managers and the maintenance staff alike (the little stinker didn't even have to change a burned out light bulb!) and made many dear friends in her building.

At that time, she was taking only a thyroid pill and a blood pressure pill -- period.  When she was 85, she had a very scary episode of brief confusion and left-sided weakness, was taken to the hospital, and diagnosed with a TIA (commonly called a "mini stroke", because the symptoms, thankfully, fully resolve.)  The doctor prescribed an aspirin and an anti-platelet medication and in a few days, my mom went home, fit as a fiddle.

A couple of months later, she fell in the hallway of her apartment building, and broke her right hip.  She had surgery, went to Rehab (where she charmed all the doctors, nurses and therapists) and soon returned again to her independent apartment living that she so loved.

Well, they say troubles come in 3's, and right before her 86th birthday, she was rushed to the ER with a heart attack.  I rode in the ambulance with her, and never left her side, even while the doctors and nurses were actively working hard to save her life.  And save her life they did... and after a few days in the hospital, and a heart catheterization, mom went to our local hospital's Transitional Care Unit  (where she again quickly became everyone's favorite patient) and then back home again to her apartment.

Now the doctors added a few heart medications to the daily mix, and she used to say, "With all these darn pills I have to take every morning, I don't have room for breakfast!"  But thankfully, while she was admittedly a little more tired now than she had been before, no other problems occurred (except for a skin cancer successfully removed from her leg), and life continued well for my then 86 year-old mom.  I started balancing her checkbook for her (hey, someone had to do it!), setting up her pills (she hated doing that!), and continued the regular mani-pedi's.  But she still was still happily living independently, driving, doing all her own shopping and meals, socializing with her friends, getting her hair done and attending exercise classes.

Because she had become quite hard of hearing (and the dang hearing aides never really worked well for her... we can put a man on the moon but we can't develop decent hearing aides??!)  I would take her to all of her doctor's appointments.  I kept a notebook of careful notes, and she always deferred all questions to me.  Here is one actual conversation that took place at her PCP's office:

MD:  So, are we having any problems?
Me:  Nope, she's doing great!
MD:  Good!  How's the hip pain?
Me:  Much better, not needing any of the pain pills any more.
MD:  Great!  Has she seen the dermatologist yet for that spot on her back?
Me:  Yep, last week.  He said it's nothing to worry about.
MD:  That's good news.  How about the eye doctor?
Me:  We see him next week.
MD:  Good.  So, did you get the routine labs done?
Me: Yep, on Monday.  Your office should have received the results by now.
MD:  Good, I'll go check.
Mom:  [sitting on the edge of the exam table, tapping her toes impatiently]  *Hmph!*  I don't even know why I have to come!

This past October, we had a big family dinner party at my house (one of my mother's grandsons was home from Alaska), and the next week, I hosted a Spanish tapas party with friends.  My mother was definitely the  Belle-of-the-Ball for both events.  She was beautiful, lively, funny, sweet, and feeling good.

But sadly, within 2 weeks of those parties, and without warning, she was rushed to the ER with crushing shortness of breath and a new diagnosis of congestive heart failure.  One heart attack, several episodes of flash pulmonary edema, two thoracenteses, renal insufficiency, a complete heart block and a devastating new lung cancer diagnosis followed.  She got weaker every day, but still, through it all... she remained amazing Grace.

She was in the hospital and then TCU for 5 weeks.  We virtually lived there.  My daughter barely left her bedside.  My sisters came from out of state.  My mother had so many visitors that at one point, we had to ask them to be limited, just so she could rest.  She began to speak about being "very tired" and "ready to let go."  She had private conversations with each grandchild and great-grandchild, and assured them all of her love forever.  She gave away her cat, her car, and her wedding ring.

On one particularly difficult day, a dear friend named Dean came to visit.  She smiled at him but said quietly, "I can't really talk right now."  And holding her hand tight, Dean said softly, "That's OK... I just wanted to see you, Grace."

On Dec 20 my mother was discharged from the hospital -- to my home with hospice services.  We rearranged our living room to accommodate the hospital bed, over bed table, oxygen concentrator, bedside commode and new lift chair, so that on good days she could be engaged and involved in our daily family life.  We hung curtains in each archway and on the French Doors for privacy.  She was warm and cozy covered in soft cotton blankets and a light down comforter.  She often had a kitty or two at her feet.  We joked that she was the Queen Bee and we were the willing worker bees!  With the help of my husband, daughter, sisters and the hospice team, we were able to care for her, keep her comfortable, and even have a surprising number of laughs along the way.  We looked at each day as a gift.

She enjoyed Bonanza (do you know it is on aaaaallllll afternoon???!) but every now and then I'd wrestle the remote off of her (!) so I could watch a show or two of my choice, LOL!  She was a fanatic for Jeopardy and Wheel of Fortune (on Mondays through Fridays at 7 and 7:30 pm respectively, but opposite on Saturdays, and not at all on Sundays... who knew?!) and on good days, she loved calling out the answers before the contestants.

She was home with us exactly 4 weeks.  Yes, we had some hard and scary moments.... but in general, having her here, surrounded by the love of family and *home* was one of the most rewarding and satisfying things I have ever done.  It just felt so *right*.

I am proud and humbled to be able to say that in the last weeks of her life, my dear mom was never alone. She knew we were here with her -- come what may -- and she knew she was loved.   My husband and I were at her bedside as she passed away early that morning, and I know she knew it.   I know we will never forget it.

Thank you for everything, Mom. I love and miss you so much.  And I always will.

3/31/23- 1/17/12

For more posts on my dear mother, please look:

HERE

HERE

HERE


And for a wonderfully fun, touching blog tribute by my niece (The Daring Librarian) for her dear Grandma, please scroll down to the end of  THIS POST.

Introducing... "Grace"!

OK... so anyone who knows me (or who has at least read my earlier blog entry of July 14, 2009) knows that I am (admittedly) just a wee bit deranged when it comes to my diamond! Well, I recently decided that I *neeeeeeeeeeeded* ;o) a change... so I contacted Brian Gavin Diamonds of Houston, TX to create a custom reset project.

Here's the scoop: I really did LOVE the fishtail pave setting that my diamond was set in (after all, I custom designed it myself just 3 years ago!)... but a few months ago, a bee started a'buzzing in my bonnet for a new style -- a classic solitaire.

Honestly, I was beginning to feel like the small melee stones (in the fishtail pave setting) were somehow *competing* with the center stone (I know, I know... this is something only a diamond CRAZEEEE will truly appreciate! The rest of the world... well, just stay with me, please!) Basically, I wanted a setting that would simply highlight and spotlight my beautiful diamond. Summary: I wanted it to "do all the talkin'!"

So with some ideas and some beautiful inspiration rings in mind (and the tireless assistance and cheerleading of one VERY good buddy!) I took the project to Brian Gavin Diamonds. Here is what I requested: 4 delicate, claw prongs on a simple basket head with a semi-rounded shank, in platinum. I had in mind something very special, something a little "different"... definitely not just your dime-a-dozen, run-of-the-mill, 4-prong-setting solitaire.

I wanted this re-set to be something plain and simple, yet timeless and classic. I had a vision in mind, and Brian and Lesley helped me bring it to life.

First up... the CADs...

(Note that CAD images are always "bulkier" than the finished ring will be; there is approximately a 15% "overage" so obviously, the prong tips will be polished and pointed, and the entire ring more "delicate" and fluid after hand finishing and polishing.)
But lookin' gooooooood so far!

Next came the wax models... very exciting!








Then, finally...
TA DA! My beautiful new platinum, 4-claw-prong, solitaire setting:
(These pictures taken by Brian:)

* I LOVE them! * They are everything I had hoped for -- and more.

The shanks are thin (only 2mm) and very delicate, but yet they have surprising "heft" and feel quite "substantial". I love the contrast and the simplicity of the diamond alone against the smooth, sleek line of platinum. And note the small "donut" under the head... so the two rings don't sit quite flush -- there's a sexy little gap between them that I just adore!

Now here's the REALLY COOL PART! Apparently it was an instant hit with other diamond crazeeees, because Brian and Lesley began getting quite a few inquiry calls and e-mails about it. So they decided to offer my design as a new standard setting... and they asked me to name it!

Now THAT was quite an honor. So I gave it a much thought... and finally decided to call the new setting "Grace". Grace is my mother's name, and I have always loved it. And according to the dictionary, “grace” is defined as “elegance, beauty, and smoothness of form or movement”… which clearly describes this beautiful setting.

(Add here's a link to Brian Gavin Diamonds' blog with my story. VERY FUN!)

More pictures...

The matching wedding ring all by itself. I love the simple, classic, timeless look of a plain platinum or gold band!

New e-ring with old (fishtail pave) w-ring. A nice look for something different.




And, just for fun... a few "glamour shots" taken by Brian of my diamond while it was unset:













THE VALUE OF AN INDEPENDENT APPRAISAL:
Before I end this post, I want to take a minute to mention the importance of an independent appraisal, and the excellent services I received from one independent appraiser in particular. For insurance purposes, it's vital to have a comprehensive, accurate, and appropriate (not too low OR over-inflated) appraisal of value.

For obvious reasons, the place where the diamond was purchased may not necessarily the best place to have it "appraised"... after all, how "independent" and objective can that really be? A truly "independent" appraiser is not affiliated with any vendor, and does not buy or sell jewelry. He works solely for YOU.

Because diamonds are typically substantial investments, and because prices only continue to rise, it is important to keep your appraisal current and updated. In my case, my diamond hadn't been appraised for several years. So, since I was having the reset project done anyway, I decided to send my rings (the old set) to Richard Sherwood of Sarasota Gem Lab in Sarasota, FL. Rich unset the diamond and performed his full appraisal on it. I was extremely happy and seriously impressed with how THOROUGH and comprehensive his appraisal was. (Plus Rich is just a 4-star DOLL to work with!)

Once that was done, Rich sent my (now) unset diamond to Brian Gavin Diamonds in Houston, TX for work to begin on my new project. Once my new rings were finished, they were sent back to Rich -- for his final examination and an appraisal of the completed pair of rings. It was protection and peace of mind for me for several reasons. Not that I thought for a moment that Brian Gavin Diamonds would "switch stones" (a very common consumer worry, but basically a non-issue when working with a reputable vendor), but hey, mistakes can happen to anyone, and by having Rich examine the finished rings he could validate that it was in fact my stone, and that no damage (however minor) had occurred to it during the resetting process. He checked the new platinum setting over completely, making sure that everything was just perfect, and then appraised the completed set of rings. When all of that was done, the rings were (*FINALLY*!) shipped to me for delighted receipt into my hot and sweaty little hands!

Was that added time and all that Fed-Ex shipping (my diamond has seen parts of the country I've never seen!) somewhat of an inconvenience? Yes, honestly a bit (the shipping 3 times to and from Rich cost more than his actual appraisals did!) ... but like I said, to me it was well worth it. I recommend Rich's services wholeheartedly... and if I had it to do again, I'd do it exactly the same. (In fact, in a few years when I'm ready for another change... I know I will!!!) ;o)

(BTW, here's Rich's appraisal -- an attractive, complete 3-ring binder of invaluable information, charts, graphics and photos:)

And before I close... this post simply wouldn't be complete without a picture of the "Original" Grace! ;o)
Me and my wonderful mom: