4 Responses

  1. Gail
    Gail at |

    Gwen’s story brings to mind what happened as my mother lay dying. She had lost consciousness and so was unable to be responsive, but we went ahead as if she could hear every word, and possibly carry them with her. My sisters and I attended to her for three days as she lay there, talking about what had gone before. For those three days, sharing our memories formed a bond unlike any we had earlier.

    Now that the day of the dead is almost upon us, it is said the veil is thinning. A photo my sister took of my mother a day or two before she lost consciousness sits on the ofrenda. The paper marigolds I made remind me of the paper flowers she made for my sixth birthday. I thought maybe I would put a cup of Lipton tea there for her. My husband, whom she felt close to, brushed by a cheese cutter on the kitchen counter today. It spun like a top. I joked that maybe the house is haunted, then immediately remembered we are inviting her to be near for a moment.

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  2. Gwen Morrison
    Gwen Morrison at |

    Loved this, Colleen! Just last month I had a rare opportunity to spend an afternoon with my two sisters and both my parents – in the same place at the same time. Taking advantage of the time we had together, we began sharing memories. Our stories. It was a special afternoon filled with laughter and some tears. Happy tears, mostly, but as my dad is really not doing well, I think he even finds listening to those stories of ours a little bittersweet. Some regrets, I’m sure, and the stark reality that so much time has passed can make him a little melancholy. But what a joy it was to have that time to recount our shared memories – what made up our young lives as a family — to remember that there were many good times.

    Thanks for sharing these words! So impactful.

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