Tuesday, February 24, 2009

Goodbye Mom

My mother died today after a long struggle with Alzheimer's, the disease they refer to as the "long goodbye" because the person leaves this world mentally long before their body passes on.

“Sisu” is the perfect word to describe my mom. Roughly translated from Finnish, sisu means perseverance and determination. That was my mom. She taught me to keep going even when I felt like giving up. She also taught me that it was more important to love than to be loved. All of my best qualities are because of her. She was a wonderful mother, role model, and best friend.

I'm confident that heaven welcomed her with open arms.

8 comments:

Kacy Jean said...

I was heart broken when Kerry told me the news this morning, I just wanted to drop a line to let you know I am thinking of you and your family, and to tell you I am glad that I knew her....

Love,
Kacy, Brian and the girls.

Anonymous said...

Oh, I'm so sorry for your loss. I wish I could say something else, but as (mostly) a lurker I really don't know what else to day. Take care of yourself and your family.

K. said...

Please accept my condolences. Losing a parent is not an easy or simple thing under any circumstances.

Anonymous said...

I lost my dad recently and I thought I would be cool about it. I wasn't. Take care of yourself.

Anonymous said...

I am so terribly sorry Kathy.

Anonymous said...

I'm sorry to hear that sad news, Kathy. It sounds like she was a wonderful mother who was truly loved. She will live on in you.

Libby Spencer said...

My belated condolences Kathy. Sending you comforting thoughts in this time of grief to ease your loss.

Kathy said...

Thank you everyone for your prayers and condolences. You don't know how much they mean to me.

I wish you could have known my mom. The one thing I've heard over and over from my friends the past few days is that "she treated them like one of her own children." What a wonderful tribute. I only hope I can live up to the example she set.