November 25, 2014

I'll Give You A Daisy A Day, Dear...

Mom and me. Summer 2014
I called and spoke with Mom yesterday morning. I wanted to wish her a Happy Thanksgiving and we shared our plans for the holiday. We talked about all those little things we always covered. I told her I probably wouldn't be coming north until spring, but that we'd keep in touch on the telephone until I could see her again. 

We ended our conversation the same way we always do..."I love you, Mom" and "I love you, too, honey". After I hung up the phone, I said it again to myself..."I love you, Mom."
When I got home from Paneras last night, Handsome took my hands in his and I knew something was different. He said, "I'm so glad you had a nice talk with Grace today. I'm sorry, honey. While you were gone, Deb (Grace's eldest child) called. Grace died this afternoon."

I called Deb (who calls me "Sis") and we talked about how I had just spoken with Mom on the phone today. We were both so glad that I had talked with her, and we cried together over our shared grief.

Mom didn't want an obituary. She said she didn't want her life distilled down to one paragraph, but I asked Deb if I could write about Mom on my blog today. She immediately said "yes". She knows I've written about Mom here in the past, and if you've been here regularly, I hope you've come to know this beautiful woman through my eyes.

Mom lived her entire eighty six years with decency and poise. She taught me more about love and life in the forty one years I've known her than anyone else. She loved me like her own children and often referred to me to others as her "third daughter". It was another of her gifts to me. She left this life as she lived it...quietly and with dignity. She simply fell asleep in her chair.

Her children, Deb, Damon, Dion and DeeDee, their families - and her "third daugher" - now mourn the loss of her light in our lives. There will be no fanfare on her passing. She didn't want that. So, I'll honor her the way I always have, by continuing to be the kind of woman who would make her proud.

Her favorite flowers were daisies. I would send them to her on every special occasion or holiday. When we were together, I would remind her of the words to the song...

"I'll give you a daisy a day dear, 
I'll give you a daisy a day.
I'll love you until the rivers run still,
And the four winds we know blow away."

She would have had a delivery of daisies today for Thanksgiving. Perhaps I'll order some to deliver here, instead, in her memory.
This is how I'll always remember her.
January 23, 1928 - November 25, 2014
Rest well, Mom. Until we're together again...I'll see you in my dreams.
  Love always, 
Your Third Daughter,
DonnaAcornSignature

22 comments:

  1. I am so sorry for your loss, Donna. She must have been a very special woman. xo

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  2. I am so sorry for your loss but it is a wonderful, dignified way for her to have gone. My mother lives with us an will be 93 next month, every day with her is a blessing.
    Thinking of you and your adopted siblings.
    Jenni

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  3. Donna... there really are no words that can honestly convey what I am thinking right now. I have loved your stories of Grace; the heartfelt way you write about her is incredibly touching and demonstrates just how deep your feelings are. Knowing there is someone in your corner when you are young, all your life really, I suppose, is such a great gift, and she gave that to you.
    I am so happy for you that you had her in your life, that you have special memories, and that you had such a wonderful chat with her that day.
    Warm hugs,
    jillayne

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  4. Donna, I'm so sorry for your loss. Words are never adequate at times like this, but they are all I can send you. Love and Blessings Lesley

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  5. Donna I am so sorry💕 I am so glad that you had such a wonderful conversation with her...she truly will live in your heart forever💕💕

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  6. So sorry to hear this. You have written a wonderful memorial to your special 'mom'.

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  7. So, so sorry, Donna. How blessed you were to have that last conversation.

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  8. Donna, I am so very sorry for the loss of your mother. I am also thankful that you talked to her that morning. What a blessing. Please know that you are in my heart and prayers. Just let those eyes "keep leaking", it's okay. Love you, Gloria

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  9. Donna, I am so sorry for your loss. Thank you for letting us get to know this incredible woman through your blog. Twyla

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  10. Sorry for the loss of your dear friend. I a, glad that you were able to speak to her before she died.

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  11. A beautiful post. It brought tears to my eyes and reminds me to be every so grateful for each and every day I have with my own mother. Blessings your way and thank you for the beautiful post.
    ~Tanya

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  12. So sorry for your loss Donna. How precious that you were able to speak to her earlier in the day.

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  13. Her life lived with Grace indeed. I am so sorry for this huge loss in your life dear. Thankfully you and she were able to talk and tell one another how special and loved you each are. Handsome was very gracious in his way of telling you. I know your blessings will have extra meaning this Thanksgiving. A Daisy a Day for Mom Grace...With Warm Hugs and Love.

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  14. Dear Donna,
    Please accept heartfelt condolences for your sorrow and the pain you feel. Your friend, T

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  15. Donna, I am so sorry :( Love and prayers - karen

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  16. Praying for you & your family during this sad time, but so glad your Mom Grace didnt suffer. She sounds like she was such a sweet woman & I know that you were both blessed to have been family! my thoughts are with you!

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  17. Donna:

    My thoughts and prayers are with you! I, too, have a "Grace" in my life - my former mother-in-law. She introduces me to people as once her daughter-in-law; now her daughter.
    I will certainly miss her when she is no longer just a phone call away.
    I am so glad this lovely woman allowed you to share her life!

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  18. My heat goes out to you Donna. I had a Grace in my life. She was my hubbys aunt. She took me under her wing when my own mother died 35 years ago. She never had children of her own, but she treated me as if I was hers, and my children as if they were her grandchildren. I am so thankful that God sends people along the way to help us through the journey. She passed away 2 1/2 years ago, but the memories we shared are priceless.
    Hugs to you,
    Jocelyn

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  19. I am so sorry to hear that Grace has died. She sounds to have been such a warm and generous person, who was so loved in return. I am so glad that your memories of her will be happy ones. Warm wishes and friendship at this very sad time,
    Mandy.

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  20. I'm sorry for your loss, but loved reading your beautiful post about this very special lady.

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  21. Such a lovely post. She sounded like a sweet lady. I'm glad you got to have that last conversation with her before God called her home.

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  22. So sorry to read of Mom's passing, Donna but glad to hear that it wasn't difficult. My belated thoughts and hugs are with you. xxx

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Thank you so much for leaving a comment today. I'm using new settings on my comments so that I'll be able to respond to your messages to me. Be sure to come back to see my replies!

Blessings, Donna