Mom died on New Year’s Day. She had a severe stroke in October from which she never fully recovered, hanging in there through the holidays, just long enough to welcome in another year but not long enough to see her 94th birthday. She would be 96 today if she were still alive.
What a wonderful life she had! There are no words to describe my mother, although a few that come to mind are
beautiful generous charitable kind happy friendly wise loved to learn and to teach intelligent loving positive attitude enthusiasm
If a picture is worth a thousand words, then what follows are seven thousand expressions of a life lived well:
karenjonesgowen 
Hi Karen .. I’m sorry about your mother, but as you say she had had a wonderful innings and had enjoyed your enormous family! .. and your books about her life and her parents …
The picture of one of your daughters talking to her grandmother reminded me immediately of you … funny the family likeness …. and I loved all the other photos – as I did those in Farm Girl …
Have a happy year ahead .. the 1st January is not an easy time … but we all go when we do … my Mama went on Independence Day … and my best friend also went on 1st January about 10 years ago now …
With thoughts – Hilary
Hilary, It is difficult to lose one’s mother, no question, but I feel extremely fortunate that she lived long enough for the two of us to do Farm Girl. Especially considering my inclination to procrastinate doing good things 🙂
Hope you can focus on the good memories today.
Alex, As soon as I posted this I felt better 🙂
How lovely she was, Karen. Your great tribute to her, your first published book, (FARM GIRL) has cherished photos and more words than this post. But you are right- the first photograph up here, of your mom at a precious family event, makes for a beautiful summation.
Thank you, Mirka! The wedding photo is precious to me because it was the last trip she made out here before her stroke later that year.
What a wonderful tribute to your Mother, Karen. Looking at the photos makes one feel pulled into her surroundings! What a serene feeling that is to experience!!!
P.S. This is also my daughter, Laurie’s, 40th birthday!
Hi Carolyn, Julie’s daughter Allison also shares this birthday! Happy birthday to your Laurie 🙂
Thank you, Karen. I will pass on your message to her – she is spending the day with Peggy!! Sounds as if 2 wonderful women in our family are fortunate to share their birthdays with your Mother!
No matter what our age, the loss of our mother, our mommy, is a loss like none other. So much of our history goes with them. Bravo to you for taking the time to record so much of your mothers life for generations to come. You are one amazing daughter! And the pic of her on the phone? Priceless.
Donna, I too love that photo of her on the phone. It shows how her lifetime covered amazing technological changes. In the first decade of her life, telephones were something new and most homes in her neighborhood didn’t even have electricity or indoor plumbing. In the last decade of her life, she used a computer daily. (And she still talked on the phone every chance she got.)
Bless you! Lost my Mom to a stroke. Mom did so much and, like you, she will always be with me…
Thank you, Billy. Blessings to you 🙂