Monday, January 11, 2010

One More Post About Mom

My mom, Estelle Brown, died on January 6. She was the only daughter of Doris and Neill Hartman; the sister of Aldean and Larry; the wife of Don; the mother of Doris, Ron and Sharri; the grandmother of Dylan, Nicole, Rebekah, Monica, Kelly, Josh, Meagan and Seth; and great-grandmother to Korbyn and my unborn grandson. She was everything to all of us and the kindest person we ever knew. To say that her family is heartsick is a gross understatement, but we are all relieved that Mom is no longer suffering. In fact, I'm thinking of Mom holding Bekah's hand right now. She called her illness vile, and it was.

I have some pictures to share with you. First is Mom in possibly her favorite role: Mom/Grandma cooks for the holidays. It's from a few Christmases ago, and she's holding what we lovingly call "red stuff" (only because she thought "red shit" was too vulgar ... she was right, of course), which is second only to my brother's favorite "orange crap". I believe that look is on her face because one of the grandkids asked, "Did you make orange crap, too?"
Next is Mom as Sun Princess for the Sun Bowl in the 50's. Isn't she pretty? My niece Meagan said that when she was little, she thought her grandma was a movie star. She saved some of her fabulous dresses from those days, and they were carefully used for Halloween. Wouldn't this make a great Glenda-Good-Witch-of-the-North dress?


Below is Mom as a little, little girl. I have this picture of her in my bedroom, and she's so cute I can hardly stand it. She reminds me of the sweet little kids at school. I think this could be about the age when my grandma got Mom to stop sucking her thumb by offering her very own rocking chair. Mom got the rocking chair and sat in it with her hands in her lap, staring at her thumb.

Some of you will ask about my dad. He's doing ok for now. Mom said from the beginning that she'd need a miracle, so she and Dad had time to talk about the future. She was a great coach and encourager. We've been with him a lot, but all the family left today. We'll call a lot and drop in to make sure all is well. He has a huge support system of friends in their church. They have plans, and that's a good thing. He is very involved in genealogy, and he wants to travel to see where some of our ancestors lived. Dad and Mom already traveled to Germany and Pennsylvania in the last couple of years, and I think he'll continue with some trips he had stopped planning.

I think another question you'll have is Mom's And They Sinned. She wasn't really feeling like stitching a lot of days, so I've been working on it when I visited their house since October. I picked it up again when we were all at the hospital, and now Sharri has it. She's almost finished (Sharri is one of those super-speedy stitchers). In our minds, it's the perfect gift for someone, but we'll see. I'll be sure to get a picture for you and fill you in on its future.

Thank you all again for your prayers, good thoughts and kind notes. It used to be hard for me to imagine how much comments from people I've never met would mean to me. Next time: stitchy talk and other regular stuff. Make some fun. Do it now.

50 comments:

valerie said...

Oh Doris, I'm so sorry to hear about your mom. As you said, she's in a better place but the loss causes a heavy heart. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. Take care of yourself and keep focusing on those happy memories *hugs*

Margaret said...

Doris, I'm so so sorry to hear about your mother. You've made a beautiful tribute to her -- she was a pretty lady, a gorgeous princess, and an adorable little girl. (I sucked my thumb and had a rocking chair as well.) Hugs to you and to your family, especially your father. I'll be keeping you all in my thoughts and prayers. I'm glad you got to have one more Christmas with your mom. Hang in there.

Natasha said...

Those pictures are just some of the memories that you will hold dear in your heart. My thoughts and prayers fo out to you and your family with this loss. Its hard but the happiness she brought to you and others makes it easier.

((HUGS))

Jennifer said...

Dearest Doris , I am so sorry to hear the news of your Mom . What beautiful pictures in your tribute . My Mom also makes the red salad and the orange too! Thinking of all of you at this time. Take care of yourself too, you all are in my thoughts and prayers at this time . xoxoJennifer

staci said...

Oh Doris. Words can't convey my sadness for you and your entire family. Your mother was beautiful her whole life through.

Wishing you much comfort and peace...I know your mom is watching over all of you from above. HUGS and PRAYERS to you dear friend.

Karen said...

Doris, I'm so, so sorry to hear about your mom. My heart aches for you and your family. You have been and will continue to be in my prayers. {{hugs}}

pj said...

Doris, I know just how you feel this Jan. as I lost my mom last January. It is tough and hard for us to lose our mom's no matter how much alike or how close we were. I just want to pick up the phone and give her a call and then remember I can't. I try to think of the great times we had, saved cards she wrote in, etc. I will pray for you and your loved ones. Keep the pictures close to you and they will bring you many smiles. pj

Missy Ann said...

I'm so sorry.

Barb said...

I am so very very sorry for your loss Doris. And thank you for reminding us to make some fun.

Anonymous said...

My heart aches for you and your loss. No more words...only emotions.

Deb said...

Oh Doris, my most heartfelt condolences to you and your family. I am so sorry to hear that she passed away. Your pictures are such a wonderful tribute to her (and yes, that dress definitely would make a great Glenda dress).

My thoughts and prayers go out to you and your family!

Jennifer Ann Fox said...

I almost cried when I read this. I'm so sorry to here this. You are in my thoughts and prayers.
Your mom is so beautiful in those pictures and I can tell she touched so many lives.

Jennifer

Laurie in Iowa said...

(((Doris))), I'm so sorry. What a loving tribute to your mom.

Katrina said...

Oh Doris, huge, huge hugs to you and your family. I am so sorry. Your mom was beautiful :-). Hopes and prayers all the happy, loving memories see you through this difficult time. And I will say a special prayer for your dad.

Funny side note on ATS, I was in our LNS last week and your sister's piece was out on the table. I think she must have just dropped it off. What a gorgeous piece. I thought about your mom's piece when I saw it. It will make a wonderful gift for someone special :-).

Glenna said...

Oh, dear, I'm so, so sorry about your mom. You wrote a warm and wonderful post about her and I love the photos. Yes, on the dress, and yes, the cutest little girl ever and hilarious about the orange crap.

Kellie said...

{{{Doris}}}
I am so very sorry to hear about your mom.

It is evident by your photos and your words just how special of a lady that she was, and I am sure the center of your family's world.

My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family through this most difficult time.

Hang in there...

Faye said...

I nearly emailed you from school today b/c I felt I needed to...but as you know being in a classroom, things dont happen like you hope... This tribute to your mom has brought many tears to my eyes as I can feel the true love you had for her. I know she will continue to live in your heart Doris. Cherish her memories and remember the good times. From your stitching friend in North Carolina, Faye

Blu said...

I'm very sorry for your loss.
Your photos are a lovely tribute to a wonderful lady.
Hugs and prayer.

JOLENE said...

Through tear filled eyes I am writing to you as I feel a heaviness in my heart as I lost my Mother just a few years ago too, in 2005. The tribute you posted about your sweet Mother shows how much she meant to you and yours. The photos are precious and I must say you look so much like your Mom in her Princess atire. I think I shall call you Princess Doris from now on. Take care of yourself and your Dad. You will need each other to help you through this rough time in your lives. May the memories of your Mother flood your heart and mind and bring you peace. ((((Hugs)))

Anonymous said...

Doris, you dear sweet person. I am so sorry to read of your mom's passing. Hugs to you and your family.

Wanda (wanda.p@sasktel.net)

Melissa said...

Doris, my condolences to you and your family.

The pictures of your mom are wonderful and will serve as great memories in the years to come! You've given her a lovely tribute.

Take care!

Siobhán said...

Doris, words fail to convey how sad and sorry I am for your family. I know, from knowing her daughter, that your mother was a wonderful woman. May God rest her soul and bring you comfort. Special prayers for your dad, too, and for you again as you watch him cope with his loss.

Giovanna said...

I'm so sorry. My heartfelt condolences to you and your family.

Susimac said...

Its a lovely tribute you have made to your Mum, I'm so sorry to hear about her passing.

I wish you and your family much comfort and peace at this sad time

Nicole said...

Doris, I'm so sorry. Words can't express how sorry I am. You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers during this very difficult time. What a very sweet tribute to your mom - it brought tears to my eyes. Take care and hang in there. Lots of hugs.

Nicole

Sylvia said...

I am saddened to read about your mother's passing. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. I thought your tribute to your mother was wonderful, and it clearly shows what a wonderful person she was and that you loved her very much. Thank you for sharing your mother with all of us.

Sherri said...

So sorry to hear about your mother. It's obvious how much you loved her. The photos are beautiful!

Ranae said...

Doris! I am so sorry to hear of your mom. My thoughts and prayers are with your family.
Your mom was a beautiful woman
Take Care!!

Recycled Cottage & Garden said...

I offer my condolences to you and your family. Know she is in a happier place now may her memory be eternal.

Anna van Schurman said...

I'm so so sorry to hear about your mom. I wish I had been here earlier to give you hugs. Your family is in my thoughts.

Carol R said...

I'm sorry to read about your mum and thank you for sharing beautiful pictures of a very beautiful lady.
My thoughts are with you in this difficult time.

Pam said...

Doris, I am so sorry to hear of the loss of your mom. I know that this is very easy for me to say, but she is no longer suffering, no longer in pain, and is with
Bekah in a much better place. having lost my mother nine years ago, I know how hard it is so have to say good-bye to such an important person. Remember all of the good things about you mom.

Chocolates4Breakfast (Terri ~ Boog) said...

Oh, Doris. I am so sorry to hear this sad news. What beautiful pictures of her! She was a darling little girl and a beautiful woman. I'm so glad to hear that your father has a good support network and lots of friends and big plans. My FIL did quite a bit of traveling after Rob's mom passed away and he had a great time. Be sure and show us your mom's ATS and what you'll be doing with it. You are, as you have been, in my thoughts and prayers.

omashee aka Barb said...

Doris, my thoughts & prayers are with you and your family, especially your dad. What wonderful photos. Thank you for sharing. I do hope someone got her recipes of the Red S*** and Orange C***. They sound like a tradition to be carried on. Weren't you lucky to share one more Christmas together?
Big Hugs

Jan said...

OH Doris, hard to put into words what I am feeling. I know I feel lots of grief for you and the rest of your family. I pray that the Lord rain done all of the memories you and yours have of your beautiful mom. I know you will miss her, even though everyone's mother is extra-special to them, I can just tell by the pictures that you shared, that she was full of grace and lots of love for all of those around her.

I pray for peace...comfort...bursts of love, so you will know that for sure and for certain, that precious child you lost, is very much loving being with your mom. (((((((((((HUGS))))))))))

Patti said...

Doris,

I came here to thank you for your nice comment on my blog...my first comment ever! :)

I was saddened to read about the passing of your mother. I loved looking at the photos of her, what a beautiful woman.

I hope your father is doing okay and of course, you too. You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers.

Coni said...

Oh dear Doris, I am so sorry for your loss. Please know that we are sending you our deepest sympathy.

Coni and Aunt Chrissy

Lindsay said...

(((HUGS)))) Doris I'm so sorry for your loss

Von said...

Doris, this tribute to your mom makes it obvious your mother was an amazing, talented woman, greatly loved by her family and many friends. Her leaving has left a huge hole in the fabric of your life. My prayer is that God will comfort you all and bring to mind memories of her that make you smile.

Erica said...

I am so very sorry for your loss!

Ellen said...

I'm so sorry to hear about your mum. Hugs and prayers to you and your family. Hold those happy memories in your heart.

Take care,

Maggie said...

Oh Doris, i'm really sorry to hear about your mum. I'm really not good with words when it comes to things like this, but know that my heart goes out to you and your family. You made a wonderful tribute to her on your blog, and she will always be with you in your heart.
God bless x

KarenV said...

Your mom was a beautiful lady and this is a beautiful tribute to her. I'm very sorry for your loss - take care.

Cari said...

Doris - I am so very sorry to hear about your Mom. Your pics are a wonderful tribute to her..thanks for sharing them. I'm so glad you got to spend Christmas with her and your family. Be safe and find some comfort in your stitching. Hugs.....

Brigitte said...

Oh Doris, I'm so so sorry and sad to hear about your mom. With these pictures you make this post a wonderful and extraordinary tribute to your mother.
I will keep you and your family in my thoughts.

mainely stitching said...

Dear Doris, I've been offline for far too long and am just now reading of your loss ... which is perhaps also a tiny bit of release, reading about how your mom detested her illness. You mom sounds like a wonderful person who made everything around her a little richer. Thank you for sharing her with us. Wishing you peace.

Anonymous said...

oh Doris, I am so very sorry for your loss. I have been away from the computer lately and just now read this. I will keep your father and your family in my prayers. I know you wouldn't have wanted your mom to suffer any longer; I'm glad she knows peace know. Love you and hang strong....
robin

Karen said...

I found your blog through the TUSAL and I wanted to offer my sympathies for your mom's passing. I'm so very sorry for your loss.

Annemarie said...

My goodness, Doris, I'm so very, very sorry to hear about your mother. I can't even begin to imagine how you're feeling right now, but your beautiful tribute made me cry a bit myself. I hope you're all hanging on! {{{hugs}}} to you, dear lady!

Kim said...

Doris, I know your pain as I lost my Mom on June 20th, 2009. The loss is huge and I miss Mom deeply. The photos of your Mom are beautiful, thanks for sharing. I will keep you in thoughts and prayers.