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Court
| | Posted on Monday, June 04, 2012 - 01:29 pm: | 
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Belinda:
I needn't tell you . . .this is a large family and each of us bring with us not only our two wheeled adventures but the highs, lows, loves and adventures of our lives.
Vickie and I have you and your family in our hearts and prayers today. We, along with our Badweb community around the globe both mourn your loss and celebrate your Mother's life with you.
Card and a letter will go from NYC today.
May all the peace and comfort be with your family.
Court |
Fltwistygirl
| | Posted on Monday, June 04, 2012 - 07:45 pm: |
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Thank you all so much. These have been some of the most trying days emotionally of my entire life. With my dad, we had some time (they gave him five years, he lived for 1.5) to prepare. With my mom, we had nothing.
My elderly uncle is a Baptist minister, we are hoping he is well enough to perform the service which is going to be on Friday. We've all had emotional meltdowns during this, but despite that, our families are amazingly cohesive given the circumstances and wildly different personalities. A visit to any relatives home where we are all congregating is a lot like going to a foreign airport where there are at least some Finnish, Swedish, Kearlian and Mongolian tourists on motorcycles and maybe even horses. Ewan and Charlie would fit right in. It's a little bit of everything.
Today I'm hugging those close to me often and am looking forward most to arriving safely up north and hugging my step dad.
This is the least likely place most people would expect to get the type of support/info I've gotten here over the years, but y'all are amazing, and thanks for everything. Exceeding my expectations always.
I need to find pics of my mom for the service, may try to post some up later. BeLinda. |
Daves
| | Posted on Monday, June 04, 2012 - 08:08 pm: |
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So sorry to hear this.
RIP Irene
Hang in there Belinda. I know it's hard but you will get thru it.
Dave |
Etennuly
| | Posted on Monday, June 04, 2012 - 09:54 pm: |
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My condolences to you and your family. I to wish there was something to be said that could help. Bless you and may she rest in peace. |
Reepicheep
| | Posted on Monday, June 04, 2012 - 10:48 pm: |
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Be there for your family now, but we would really like to see some pictures and hear some stories when you get some time! |
Doerman
| | Posted on Tuesday, June 05, 2012 - 10:33 pm: |
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BeLinda
I've recently lost my wife. I have come to understand that the treasure of the time we had together is the key. Remember your mom from the best of times. Right now you are in a state of shock. As time goes by, you will increasingly reflect on the good times you had. The balance tilts eventually towards the joy you find in remembering the good times.
Grief is difficult. It is a rocky road, especially in they first days. Grief transmutes itself from the vacuum in you heart to a fulfillment in the memory of your mom.
This will take time.
Bod bless you. God bless your family. And take especially good care of your step dad.
Godspeed to Irene. She's already well on her way and in good hands.
All the best
Asbjorn
Oh yeah, don't forget to hug each other - a lot!
(Message edited by doerman on June 05, 2012) |
Bluzm2
| | Posted on Wednesday, June 06, 2012 - 12:02 am: |
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BeLinda,
Very sorry for you and your family's loss. Losing a parent is harder than anyone can imagine. When my Dad died back in 05 the support I got from fellow Bad Webbers was a very important part of my support network.
If you need anything on your way through the Mpls area please let me know. I'll do what ever I can.
Godspeed Irene, you will be missed most by those you loved and by those who loved you.
Brad |
Fltwistygirl
| | Posted on Wednesday, June 06, 2012 - 05:09 am: |
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Thanks all. We had a really long day yesterday, but ended it with a great meal then a swim. Awesome. Today is gonna be longer.
Doerman, I am so sorry for your loss. I joked to my sister about having no playbook for those of us who have had loved ones taken away. Expected or not, it sucks.
Good grief, what would we all do without cell phones? The planning of all this from
landlines only would be a huge struggle, especially from so far away. The internet helps. I don't remember the name of the kid I sat next to for a whole year in 2nd grade, and now I'm supposed to recall the name of the yummy italian market that caters funerals and has been renamed and changed locations four times? Yikes!
My sister spent most the day yesterday with my step dad. She says he is ok. He, like all of us is prolly shell-shocked, has a military background so is trained to deal with trauma. This sucks so much on so many levels. I am happy I will be up there for the summer to help transistion things, but I will miss my mom. She was a big part of the reason I did what I did and certified to teach in multiple states.
Good, bad or indifferent, I'm a lemons to lemonade type of gal, even or especially now. I am always trying to be open to receiving messages the universe or a higher power sends me. Growing up surrounded by ministers helps.
My schedule is already set for 2012 for MN and I do love many things about being there in the summer and plan to come back. Growing up in MN and spending quality time with OPP (other peoples parents), I've made and maintained strong bonds with many people. This situation has forced us to reach out and connect with some we've gotten further out of touch with than others, because, well, life happens. And for me it happened mostly 1600 miles away over the past 20+ years. I'm reconnecting and plan to stay reconnected.
We have a long day today, but it will be peaceful. The emotions start again tonite or tomorrow, whenever we arrive. We do not travel as fast with a trailer and four wheels, but spending time with my immediate family over these two travel days is giving me strength to deal with the service and picking up the pieces.
Thanks, badwebbers for coming along on this journey. BeLinda. |
Fltwistygirl
| | Posted on Friday, June 08, 2012 - 11:51 pm: |
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Well, we made it thru the service today. My mothers favorite color was red, so many of us wore red instead of traditional black. We had such a full house, we ran short on chairs at the reception. My mom was the glue of her family and community. We played Johnny Cash songs, her favorite. My uncle officiated, and my cousin, another minister, sang a couple songs. It was truly a celebration of her life. I will post up pics when I get a chance.
I am back in civilization with internet access and cell phone reception. My voicemail is full and I won't deal with it til tomorrow. We are all exhausted.
It was fun to reconnect with relatives. My cousins, niece, in-laws, friends, aunts and uncles are amazing. I teach my first class of the MN season tomorrow and am looking forward to such a positive diversion. I adore my co-coach and am looking forward to having fun doing what I love.
I got to hug my step dad a lot and plan to head back north to spend much time with him this summer. He hung out with us last night while we selected enough old photos for five posterboards for the funeral. It was lovely to be surrounded by family last night and to see my step dad feeling like such a part of our strange group.
My mom is peacefully at rest next to my father.
My sister and I both read for the service. It was one of the most difficult things I've done.
I'm glad today is behind me. |
Reepicheep
| | Posted on Saturday, June 09, 2012 - 11:18 am: |
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Sounds like a beautiful celebration! |
86129squids
| | Posted on Sunday, June 10, 2012 - 03:32 pm: |
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Good to hear from you, BeLinda.
My sis is a chaplain at Little Rock Baptist Hospital(s), having to deal with this very important part of LIFE- death- is what she clocks in to do everyday.
Weirdly, losing someone like one's mom or dad is an opportunity to strengthen one's family. You seem to know that already.
Keep us posted, friend. |
Fltwistygirl
| | Posted on Monday, June 11, 2012 - 01:01 am: |
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Thanks all.
86129squids, after observing both of my immediate fam ministers in action the past few days, I have a newfound respect for that profession. Next time u talk to your sis, remind her how important her job is, and how grateful we are for people like her.
We saw my ex-brother in law today. He lost his mom recently too. We all hugged on the dock and exchanged condolences. Seems there are tough times all around but there are glimpses of good in all this. Times are moving forward and there is a level of being human. We are grateful for that.
Tomorrow life resumes to the "new normal". I am really going to miss my mom.
After spending the weekend with my sister, out of habit, I've pulled my mom's number up on my phone several times to call and chit chat about this or that, then remembered she's not there. I equate being up here with spending time with my mama. Sucks.
I am committed to having coffee as often as possible with my step dad. My mom's dog will also need tlc. As part of her final plans, she wanted to be buried with her rescue pup, but I hope that does not need to happen soon. She is good company for my step dad.
Thanks all. I'll post up pics soon. It really is a celebration of life that will be good to share. BeLinda. |
Fltwistygirl
| | Posted on Monday, June 11, 2012 - 09:19 am: |
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Figured I'd better get these posted while I had a consistent internet connection.
Here's pics of my mom
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Fltwistygirl
| | Posted on Monday, June 11, 2012 - 10:16 am: |
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Pics of fam:
Me, Greg, my sister and step dad
Other family (Aunts uncles cousins siblings my niece)
More family at the cemetery (blood and by marriage)
The X looking sadly cooped up in trailer. Plan to remedy that this week 
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