My beautiful mother passed 13 years ago this week.

[LuckyCharms]

My grandmother (father's mother) passed on Valentine's Day. My normally cheerful dad would go into a funk around every Valentine's Day.

My mom passed a few days before my birthday. I have not been able to enjoy a birthday ever since. This is a sad time of year for me.

She was a strong woman. Grew up poor with an alcoholic father who beat her. Until one day, she held his pistol to his head as he was falling asleep drunk. She told him that she would put a bullet in his head the next time he laid a hand on her. He never hit her again.

My dad, her husband, died when she was 51 (I was 11). She suffered from crippling depression from the day he died until she passed. In spite of that, she got me through my teen years. I tried to model her strength and character.

She was well-loved by all. I'm a soon to be 67 year old man who is missing his mother today. I'll miss her forever. Here's to you Mary...they broke the mold after you were created. I'll see you again someday.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

1. How lucky you both were to have each other, my dear LuckyCharms . . .

She was beautiful, both inside and out.

May her memory be for a blessing.

[True Dough]

2. She looks like

an angel.

[Irish_Dem]

6. The dress looks like angel wings.

[choie]

3. Here's to Mary and you, LuckyCharms.

She sounds like a lovely and resilient woman. I lost my husband when I was 52, so I know what she went through. The fact that she was able to be there for you even while combatting depression is a testimony to her strength and love for you.

Kim

[LuckyCharms]

4. I am truly sorry for your loss, Kim.

As a child, my brain was not developed enough to understand HER grief...only my own.

As an adult, I now fully understand and appreciate what she endured quietly.

[malaise]

5. Celebrate the memories

[Irish_Dem]

7. Your mother is exquisite and the dress is stunning.

Do you know anything about this particular dress?

I am sorry for your loss.
She was beautiful inside and out.

In karmic theory, important people in a family enter and depart
on the same days.... birthdays and deaths are linked.

[LuckyCharms]

8. I don't know anything about the dress...

but I love this picture of her.

She donated her body to Syracuse University for teaching purposes for the medical residents.

They had a moving service at the chapel on the university campus several months after she passed, for all of those who donated their bodies within that recent time frame.

I sent this picture to the university to use as part of the display of pictures just outside the chapel entrance, of all of those people who donated their bodies.

It was all very moving and respectful.

[greatauntoftriplets]

9. Your mother had courage and beauty.

I'm sorry for your loss. Remember her with love and admiration.

[irisblue]

10. Thank you for sharing your Mother with us. May her memory be a blessing

[Marthe48]

11. If we survive, we leave so many loved ones behind

I'm glad you and your Mom loved each other. So many people don't have that relationship with their parents.

Beautiful picture.

[debm55]

12. Thank you very much ,LuckCharms for sharing your loving and beautiful mother with us. May her memories be a blessing to

you.

[JMCKUSICK]

13. What a beautiful ode to your Mom LuckyCharms

She sounds like a great woman who sacrificed so much.

[Skittles]

14. she really does look like an angel

[bronxiteforever]

15. LuckyCharms, thank you for this family history.

It’s a wonderful tribute. May your Mom rest in power and love.

[Grim Chieftain]

16. Take comfort from the wonderful memories she left you with

She struggled, but had the strength to survive with grace, dignity and love, a true blessing.

[Collimator]

17. I am glad that you have loving memories of her.

Those can be a double-edged sword when dealing with loss, but the love is worth it.

My own mother was a complicated person who lashed out when she was in pain, but I still admire her for her strength and grieve for the childhood that she didn't have which impacted her children in turn. She has been gone for 16 years, and despite my conflicted feelings, her death pulled the rug right out from under me.

I can only image the scope of your grief. Forgive me, please, for quoting a superhero movie, but,

"What is grief, if not love persevering?"

Cherish the grief; it has value and will someday fit the pieces of your memory together more beautifully than you could have imagined.

[yellow dahlia]

18. Thank you for sharing your memories and trusting us with your story.

What a beautiful portrait!

[Niagara]

19. What a heartfelt and lovely tribute to your beautiful mother, Lucky

I'll see you again someday.

Let's not rush that okay?

[LuckyCharms]

25. Niagara...

Thank you, and I'm in no hurry to see departed loved ones! They'll be there when I get there!

[BaronChocula]

20. What a byoot

My mom's birthday is coming up on the 10th. I don't get overly sad, but lately my mind starts thinking about things to talk about the next time we're on the phone and then I catch myself, still in disbelief that she's gone. Same with Dad. They've been gone over six years.

[LuckyCharms]

26. I'm sorry for your losses, Baron.

I'm the same way...Every so often, I wish I could talk to both of my parents.

She was 94 when she passed, and she went totally deaf. So when I visited her, I would bring a legal pad, and converse with her through handwriting.

She would give me good advice, especially in her old age.

[70sEraVet]

21. She was a beautiful woman

And a beautiful gesture, for her to decide to donate her body for medical research. She gave value to a death that came much too soon.
Your grief also gives value LuckyCharms -- no one is truly dead until they are forgotten.
I absolutely believe that.

[calimary]

22. What a gorgeous portrait!

Beautiful woman who left a beautiful legacy that’s yours to keep and treasure til you meet again. Looks like she’s wearing her angel wings.

[LittleGirl]

23. Thinking of you

My Mothers’ birthday and passing was in September. 4th year and because of covid, I didn’t get to see her in person and it haunts me. Hugs.

[LuckyCharms]

24. I'm very sorry for your loss. Same thing with my brother who...

died in a nursing home of Covid during the height of the pandemic. I couldn't go say goodbye. It's a very unsettling feeling...I understand

[LittleGirl]

27. Thanks

The last time I saw my Mother was at my baby brother’s memorial in 2019. She lost two sons before she passed and I was abroad and couldn’t be there. Sigh.

[LuckyCharms]

29. Remember this...

The fact that you couldn't be there does not negate the lifetime of all of the other memories.

[LoisB]

28. Your mother was beautiful. There is kindness, sadness, and strength in her eyes; a sweetness

in her smile. I believe that you will see her again.

[Donkees]

30. 🌸

[Clouds Passing]

31. You are so lucky to have had a loving mother, LC. Your Mom

[c-rational]

32. Thamk you for this post LuckyCharms, your Mom is beautiful. And I believe I have seen this lovely

photo before.

[electric_blue68]

33. What a lovely photo of her, LC!

So sorry you lost your dad quite young, but good she managed to get you through your teens despite her terrible depression, and her own horrific childhood experiences , and be well loved. (My dad had depression later mid life, and difficult parents, so I know).

Just a thought... I have reason for sharing.
My mom had gotten bad asthma when I was 5 1/2. It was often on very tough earlier on, but better controlled by the time I was late teens. But some infrequently other medical occurrences when we were younger.

She was very talented design wise, a trained dressmaker, not "sweet" per se, but sweet at times, and loving. A nature, art, sports, and science fan. Very much also for justice, and equality - taught us. She loved to laugh but sometimes could trigger an attack.
Loved by a big family!

Anyway when she got to ger 80's, and with het medical history I began to think of her passing. I knew it was going to be tough for me. It was but I got through it better than thought I might. Miss her, but over time without the fierceness. It was 2008 - 17 yrs ago.

I think what helped me was a few years before she died I started a "mantra" of "she wouldn't want me to be too sad for too long.".

I'm thinking I hope you can be happy on your birthday some day. You're good folk here. She'd want you to be happy. And sure our fellow DU'rs would want that for you at some future time.