Tuesday, September 27, 2011

And The Heavens Have A Bright New Shining Star........

Marjory - Ice Capade Starlet
On Friday night, September 23rd, surrounded by her family, my mom went to heaven.
The world is a much less beautiful place without her presence but the heavens have a bright new shining star.
I was lucky enough to have been given the gift of Marjory as my mother, and I am incredibly lucky to have had so many years with her.
She taught me to laugh and smile and to look at the glass "half-full" instead of half empty.
She taught me that sparkles and red lipstick were a must, and should always be accompanied by a smile.
Marjory believed in eating dessert first whenever possible and that being stuffy wasn't a good look for anyone.
My mother was classy and street smart all rolled into one, with a great attitude and a good sense of humor thrown in for good balance.
My mother found religion in her garden and talked with God daily, and one on one.
She drank her tea from china cups, poured from a china teapot and liked her beer ice cold and in a bottle.
Mom lived to have fun - She'd had a lot of tragedy in her life and she knew heartache.
She'd lost both her parents, her brother and little sister, and her daughter Debbie, who died from type 1 diabetes. Most people would have understood if she became bitter and mad all the time, but my mother was strong-minded and strong-willed, and she refused to let the sadness overwhelm her.
Instead, she learned from heartache to appreciate all that life had to offer.
My mother was saucy, fun, sweet, funny, tough as nails, and ferocious when it came to protecting her loved ones.
She was proud of her children and in awe of her grandchildren.
She was a loyal friend and her "happy go lucky" attitude was infectious.
My mother always left her attitude at the door and taught me that the most beautiful woman in the room could also be the most kind and loving.
Mom, I love you more than words can and express and I miss you so much that my heart literally aches from the loss.
But I know that you are at peace and out pain and with Daddy and Debbie and your parents, Uncle Roy and Fern, Mark & Tommy and the rest who passed before you.
I know that you are among the stars, sipping Pino Grigio
and wearing a kick-ass pair of platform wedge shoes, or maybe those custom Stanzione Ice Skates and having a blast up in heaven.
I told you on Friday that it was all right to go home and I made you a promise that I'd be OK because I am my mother's daughter.
And I won't go back on my promise to you - No matter how much I hurt or what obstacles come my way.
I love you with all of my heart and It was truly the greatest gift of my life to have had you as my mother.
Thank you for that gift and all your love!!
Mom & I, Pink & Red Hats Tea
CHEERS MOM
Mom's obituary:
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Marjory's name to the following Diabetes charities:

47 comments:

Jasmine said...

Oh Kelly, I'm so, so sorry for the loss of your mother. Your post was such a beautiful and moving tribute to her. I feel like I knew her.

Hoping you and your family can find some peace.

Rachel said...

More *great big hugs*, Kelly. I can't imagine what you're going through - especially after all the other loss in your life. I wish you well as you say goodbye tomorrow.

(I saw that your cousins (?) put her obituary in the Boulder paper, too.)

Amy@Diapeepees said...

What a pretty, pretty mother...a beauty in so many ways...

Meagan said...

Kelly, I'm so very sorry. My heart actually hurts just reading your beautiful tribute to your beautiful mother. My thoughts and prayers are with you.

val said...

What a beautiful tribute. ((((hugs))))

Sara said...

Kelly -

You are amazing and it sounds like you get that from your mom. That first picture of her looks exactly like the ones of you in your sidebar. Beautiful!!

Scully said...

My condolences dear Kelly. You know what? Go and read that entire post all over again and you will see that you just described YOURSELF, to a "T". You certainly are your mother's daughter and everything about you is a mirror image of her. She will live on in you. BEAUTIFUL post.

kim said...

I am so sorry to hear of the loss of your mother. my thoughts are with you and your family during this time. after reading your beautifully moving post, i feel as if i knew her. her star will shine down with love on you, always.

Kelly Booth said...

Kelly, I am really sorry to read about the loss of your mother. She sounds like a really special person.

Penny said...

What a beautiful description of your Mom and such a tribute to her. I am so sorry for your loss Kelly. You are truly your Mom's daughter, I know how very proud you made her.

Robin said...

Kelly - your Mom sounds like an amazing lady. I'm so sorry for your loss. Sending you cyber ((hugs)) and keeping you in my thoughts and prayers.

Scott S said...

Kelly, I am really, really sorry to hear about this. I think we are all feeling this as a loss to the diabetes community as a whole. Know that all of us are with you in this time of great sadness.

Anonymous said...

Kelly, I'm sorry for your loss and I'm thinking about you and your family.

Unknown said...

Wow, Kelly. This post was absolutely beautiful. Such a heartfelt and loving tribute to honor an incredible woman, indeed.

I am blessed to have crossed paths with you on this T1 journey, and I'm honored to know more about the wonderful woman you call Mom.

From that first message about your mom's illness to this one...I have been convicted about how very fragile and precious each moment truly is. There are no guarantees of another birthday, another holiday, or another joyous lunch together.

Your mother's legacy has reached further than you could ever have imagined. I know there's a place deep inside my heart that has been reminded to cherish each of my daughters...and my own mother every day.

God Bless, my friend.

xo

George said...

I am so sorry Kelly. Praying for peace in your heart and love to surround you.

Camille said...

I'm so sorry Kelly...but so happy to know you had this wonderful loving mother in your life.

((big hugs)) to you.

Joanne said...

What a beautiful tribute... I can see where you get your wonderful-ness from. You truly are your Mother's daughter.

I am so sorry about the loss of your Mom. Praying for you during this time and sending you HUGS.

Stephanie said...

Just wanted to send hugs your way. That was a beautiful tribute to your sweet mother...

Ronnie Gregory M said...

Kelly
I am so sorry about on your loss. I hope these words can bring some measure of comfort.

Life is eternal, and love is immortal,
and death is only a horizon;
and a horizon is nothing save the limit of our sight.
~Rossiter Worthington Raymond

Renata said...

Kelly, that was beautiful. Your love and admiration for your mother is just wonderful. Been thinking about you all week and your ability to handle this with such grace.

Araby62 (a.k.a. Kathy) said...

Hugs and prayers to you & your family I've been thinking of you during this difficult time.
P.S. What a beautiful photo, I can see her face in yours :)

Frog's Mom said...

Lots of hugs for you and your family. She was a beautiful woman.
(((((((((HUGS)))))))))

Lee Ann Thill said...

I wish you strength as you journey forward. Peace and love to you and your family, Kelly.
((((HUGS))))

Sarah/@smartDpants said...

Kelly, what an absolutely gorgeous and fitting tribute to your mom, to her life and the love she shared with you, with your family and the world. I can feel the love between the two of you emanating from this post! My heart goes out to you. Reading your posts from the last several weeks, and especially the ones about caring for and advocating for her, I saw yet another example of your strength, smarts and capability. Just as she raised you-with the ability to stand on your own, and to help others with that strength as well. I wish I could take away the hurt. Know that our arms are around you, no matter where we are. You're not alone. Not only is she always here with you, just in a different way, but you are surrounded by virtual love from the DOC as well. Much love to you,
Sarah

Mike Hoskins said...

This is a beautiful tribute post, Kelly. You are amazing, and obviously that strength and personality comes from your mother. We do all feel the echo of her loss, even if we didn't have the privilege of knowing your mom personally, but we are also all so blessed that her light lives on through you and everyone she touched. God bless, my friend. and all my best your way.

Elizabeth said...

Oh Kelly...We haven't talked in awhile, but I've been reading your blog posts and praying for your mom and your family. I'm so very sorry. This brings back such memories of losing my own mother. What a beautiful tribute, I could see exactly the type of woman she was from everything you wrote, and I just know she's smiling down at you now, so proud. I also know she'll walk alongside you for the rest of your life, holding your hand, guiding and loving. Much love and hugs from me, Jerry and Anna.

debbie said...

kelly, your Mom will have a special place in all of our hearts. Anyone that met her knew that she was special.

Lots of Love and prayers your way,
Love Debbie, (Spora) and her boys

NeurosurgeryNP said...

You are amazing, And I know your mom was too. Deepest sympathies to you and your family. Hugs and prayers. I am so sorry for your loss.

Heidi / D-Tales said...

That was the most lovely tribute. I'm so, so sorry for your loss. Peace and love and strength to you!

Unknown said...

Been thinking of you Kelly. I am sorry for your loss. Your mother sounds like she was infectious with her zest for life and living it. xo

Kaitake said...

Kelly this is an amazingly beautiful tribute. Your Mother must be so very proud of you. My deepest sympathies to you and your family. Best wishes and stay strong: Kia kaha Kelly.

Meri said...

What a beautiful post dear Kelly. I know you make your mother proud every day...and I also know you have one more angel watching over you. Sending you love from the Golden Coast dear friend!

Karen said...

My thoughts have been with you and your family throughout this entire journey. I love you!!!

Kritika said...

Sorry for your loss Kelly...your mother seemed like an absolutely wonderful and strong person. Condolences from my side to you and your family.

Denise aka Mom of Bean said...

My heart is hurting with you and your family. My you find peace during this time and rejoice in her memories. What an amazing woman, indeed!

Misty said...

I am so sorry about your loss Kelly. Thank you for sharing your mother's beauty - both inside and out - with us. Wishing you peace.

Anonymous said...

Kelly, I am sorry for your loss. You look just like your mom. She lives within you. Much Love,Michelle

Brenda Bell said...

My condolences on your mother's passing. I know that it is hard to lose someone so close to you, but harder to see someone noncommunicative and in pain, slipping away day after day. Our most comforting thoughts are to believe that she is free of a failing body, in the arms of whatever Deity you believe, set upon a path of rebirth, or become part of something much larger than we can be as humans.

Bernard said...

Kelly thank you for sharing about your mum. This post not only lets us learn about her, it makes it clear how you got a lot of your magic, get-up-and-go, cheerfulness. Sorry she's gone K. Wish I was there to give you a big brotherly hug.

Kassie said...

what a beautiful tribute. Love to you and yours as you move through this difficult time.

Mac said...

I'm terribly sorry to read of the passing of your mother. May that bright star always shine down on you Kelly.
Love and hugs
Mac.

DiabetesSisters said...

Love you, Kelly!! Hope to see/talk to you soon!
Brandy Barnes, DiabetesSisters

Karen said...

Kelly that was a beautifully written tribute to your mom. So sorry to hear of her passing, but thankfully she is with her loved ones. Take care of yourself, you are in my thoughts.

Karen Vaspoli Gitsas

Jim said...

Amen.

shannon said...

thank you for sharing this beautiful tribute to your mother. everyone who has read it is surely touched by your love for her, and hers for you.

when i was 20 (20 years ago next month), i said the same thing to my mother, that is was okay for her to go, and i would be okay. she passed only hours later. i hope your happy memories will see you through your pain.

askmanny said...

Kelly,
I am so sorry about your mom's passing. From heaven, she is now looking at you, being VERY proud of the woman she raised, a person who has no fear to speak the truth and advocate for others.

Please let us know how we can be of help. We love you!

Karen Goldstein said...

Kelly, I've just seen this and want to offer my condolences to you. Your posts about your mother and the inspirations she'd given you are tremendous. I'm so sorry for your loss of your beautiful mother, inside and out.