Like little girls, we huddled under the white sheets and sobbed. We needed sleep. The night before had been spent at our mother’s side as she writhed in agony and finally lay still and grew cold. But we chose to cry and comfort each other instead.
Today we are 750 hundred miles apart with our own children, responsibilities and to do lists. but the feeling is the same:

and to my brothers talk to me on the phone and take me to lunch,
and especially to my sweet husband and children who have been with me every day– sobbing, angry, bitter, furious, swearing, disorganized, depressed– of this exhausting year. I haven’t been myself. I haven’t been wonderful. I have not been strong.
Thank you for loving me through it all.
I miss you mom.
Sue
Brothers and sisters are a good thing.
Quite essential to survival.
Hugs to you…
Annie
xo
Shelah
sending you my love too.
Christie
I can’t believe it’s been a year. Hugs, friend.
P.S. That pic of you looks JUST like Mary…
Claudia
Oh sweet, sweet friend, my thoughts and prayers are with you. XOXO
Jess
I love you, Michelle. I wish I could hug you right now. Praying for you and your precious family.
Jan Russell
Oh that photo is such a treasure! Mary looks *just* like you!
People who love you most and best don’t expect wonderful and strong when you are broken and hurting. It’s okay that your pain came out. You are loved through the thick and thin!
Selwyn
Luv you.
Blue
Wow! Your daughter is your clone Michelle! Such a perfect photo…how you must cherish it!
I’m sorry this day has been hard. And I’m sorry you’ve been living in the fire. just think of all that dross-consumption! (okay, not funny). you will positively glow when you’re done with this refiner’s fire time.
i ran into Carolyn Probst tonight and it reminded me of how grateful i am to you for fostering such a wonderful gathering all those years. you’ve really had a part in the edification in my life. i look forward to seeing you next week!
love you,
♥
Tracy
Love you.
xoxo,t
Tifani says...
Love, love, love you.
Jill
I thought of you all day yesterday. Hope it was a tender, sweet day full of memories and of hope.
Linkous
I’m glad we got to be with you yesterday, that you got to eat with your brothers, and that we got to keep Mary for a little while. I’m sure Ruth would have been better company than me with my allergies and Elle with her tiny bladder and scared faces, but we loved it and we love you.
Kerri
So so so very sorry, Michelle. My broken heart reaches out to yours.
Linn
You and Ruth were definitely on my mind.
xo
Natalie
Michelle, I don’t know you, but I’m Kit’s sister in law, and I’ve sure heard amazing things about you!
My heart goes out to you and your family right now. I’m so sorry for the loss of your sweet mother. I can hardly think of this event happening in my own life without a writhing pain twisting my heart.
You are a beautiful writer, and photographer. Thanks for sharing a little piece of your soul. May the Lord bless you in this challenging time. I hope I get to meet you in person so I can find out how you raised such sweet, caring boys. 🙂