
My brother and I agonized over descending upon her household but she never wavered. Every time we called she echoed the same sentiment, “Please come. You have to come for Mom.”
When my brothers’ marriages dissolved several years ago we didn’t know how to be a family anymore. We gathered for just a few hours and never took the time to understand each other. And if my parents were out of town visiting my sister we didn’t get together at all. My mom wanted to fix it, but didn’t know how.
And somehow, now that she’s gone, our hearts have broken wide open and we see how much much we need each other. Even my brother’s former wife came to San Diego.
It’s bittersweet. This is everything my mother wanted but why couldn’t we have learned this sooner? I see the miracles but I keep wondering, “Why couldn’t she just have a close call? A brush with mortality? Why did she have to die?”
We did everything we could to honor her.


The little ones set up a flower shop in Ruth’s spectacular garden.



Hurt feelings were quickly mended.

Boys stirred up pies.

and filled the house with music.




And set the table with crystal and china. Persimmons and orange leaves became place cards.


“This is our first Thanksgiving without Mom,” she brushed her curls out of her eyes, “and this is our year of thanksgiving. A year to ponder on all the good seeds she planted in our lives. The day before Mom died, Dad and Mike and I sang this hymn at her bedside. I’ve sung this song since childhood but I never heard it until that day.”
And in her clear sweet voice Ruth sang:
For the beauty of the earth,
For the beauty of the skies,
For the love which from our birth
Over and around us lies,
Lord of all, to thee we raise
This our hymn of grateful praise.
For the joy of human love,
Brother, sister, parent, child,
Friends on earth and friends above,
For all gentle thoughts and mild;
Lord of all, to thee we raise
This our hymn of grateful praise.

Someone found words for a prayer and we filled the glasses with cranberry ice.
And even with tearshot eyes. We ate.


and laughed

and tasted all of life’s sweetness.
Ginnie
Michelle, I’ve become… well, a regular blog stalker- the non-creepy type (hopefully) ;).
I just wanted to tell you I soak your words up. I love how raw your writing is. You get me right in the heart and make me feel it. I think about you though we’ve never met and hope your heart will find comfort.
And now because I find being too serious awkward and uncomfortable, (I’m sure I need help of the professional kind) please do tell how you manage to raise children who actually seem to love eachother? I haven’t quite figured that one out yet. 😉
Tracy
Oh Michelle. What a lovely, lovely day you shared. I felt it deeply in your writing and pictures. I am so glad you were all together. Your mom was smiling brightly at all of you that day.
Happy Thanksgiving.
xoxo,t
Jeanelle
Dear friend, I’m crying right along with you and will never be able to sing this song again without thinking of you and your sweet mom. xoxo
Annie
Lovely. So lovely and open. (I think I overuse “lovely” when I visit your blog but it always fits.)
Sue
As far as I’m concerned, this was just about perfect. I’ve even had a good cry. (And I do love a good cry at Christmas.)
Thanks, Michelle. Your family is beautiful, and I bet your mom loved looking down on you all.
=)
The Planet Pink
Such a beautiful hymn. One of my favorites. Thank you for sharing your sacred family moments.
Travelin'Oma
Thank you for opening your heart and sharing your spirit with me. You have demonstrated how a person lives on after death.
Linn
Speaking of sobbing…thank you for sharing such a beautiful experience with us. I love Ruth so much and have come to love you too. Thank you again. This was truly one of the sweetest things I have ever read and it has motivated me to do something today that I have needed to do for a long time. Love you Michelle.
Alyson (New England Living)
Stunning pictures and stunning post! Love you, Michelle! xx
Linkous
so beautiful. I’m so happy for you to have had such a wonderful reunion with your family–in every sense of the word. love you
Mitchell Family
Love that picture of Will. Thank you, Ruth
Selwyn
Thanksgiving looks amazing and wonderful – thanks for sharing yours!
(And could you pls email me? My comp died in the move and I NEED your address!)
xoxoxo SK
ParkerMama
Your blog.
It’s beautiful.
Kelibby's Mom
Beautiful pictures and posts. Thank you!
…a friend of Ruth’s
Coach A.
Happy Thanksgiving Memories!
Bonnie
I’m playing that hymn right now in my lessons…it’s a wonderful one. I love the pictures, and the post was beautiful!
Greg and Erica Hone
I LOVE YOUR work! Are you in Utah? And do you do weddings? Engagements? BeautifuL!