So where have I been?
Well, there's no amount of eloquence I can sum up to fully describe her, so it will have to be this...
"Your mother wanted me to call you and tell you to be careful of bedbugs", my dad told me. She could no longer speak at length and it was the last piece of advice, in a lifetime of advice -- some trivial, some profound -- she ever gave me -- albeit by proxy.
Though it wasn't the last thing she actually said to me. That was "I love you."
And when I finally arrived, five minutes before she died -- or let herself die -- I thanked her for everything and said the last thing she ever heard from me, "I love you."
And do be careful of bedbugs.
80 comments:
Take care, Befezzed One.
.
Many condolances, Attaturk.
I am so sorry, Attaturk.
And here're as many condolances as can be squezed through the intertubes. My mother had a rough last year but it brought family together to help out. We all had a chance for last good words.
Thanks for all you've done in sharing with us the snarlolicious ups and downs for so many years.
So sorry, Attaturk.
May flights of angels sing her to her rest... I'm very sorry for your loss. It's a hard one...
My condolences
I am so sorry. Please take care of yourself.
Kathy in Omaha
I'm so very sorry. Those last words mean so much. I'm glad you got to say them.
-mnkid
So sorry for your loss. My condolences to you and the whole family. I know how hard it is to lose your mother and how special it is that you could be there with her at the end (I had a similar experience). Take care of yourself.
You're always too young to lose your mother.
I'm so very sorry for your loss.
Sorry for your loss.
Dear Atta, you've sustained so many with your peerless snark and humor. We're all thinking of you and your family now. Thank you for sharing a beautiful moment you will remember always. My condolences to you on the passing of your mom.
Condolences on your loss, and I hope you're holding up OK. It must be a comfort that you could be there.
So sorry for you loss. Stay away from used mattresses.
Our thoughts are with you.
Very sorry to hear about your loss. Gentle hug for you.
So sorry. Cherish the memories always.
Gonna go check for bedbugs now...
So very sorry for your loss.
With heartfelt sympathy, we are so very sorry.
Been there, buddy, and so I know somewhat of what you are going through. My deepest sympathy and best wishes for you and your family.
Regards,
Tengrain
Sincere condolences.
That was a very touching post.
May she rest in peace.
Big hugs for you fez man.
A lovely and moving post, AttaJ, sir. My condolences.
And do make sure the bedbugs don't become fezbugs.
So glad you made it in time to say goodbye. Condolences to you and yours.
Heartfelt condolences on the loss of your Mom. The world as you knew it will be a changed one so keep your warmest memories of time shared with her handy. They will serve you well.
Peace.
From all your writing and this specific post you paint a sweet powerful picture of your mother. She must have been one incredibly loving funny lady.
My heartfelt condolences to you & your family.
- MikeBoyScout
What Res said. And big hugs, also.
lq
oh crap. i'm so very sorry.
damn. i was hoping is was sandy. i am glad she waited for you.
and you should beware the bedbugs.
pansypoo
I'm sorry for your loss. You have my heartfelt sympathy. I know what you're going through, having had the same experience with the loss of my mother five months ago.
This blog is a gift to grateful strangers and friends; your mother must have been proud of you.
Profound condolences. I'm grateful to know you got to say 'goodbye': the angels are with you and your mom.
I'm so sorry for your loss.
Love and comfort to you and your family, Attaturk.
all my condolences - peace and comfort to you and your family
Deepest sympathies.
My sincerest condolences, my friend. I wish you peace, and the comfort of loving friends and family.
She will live on in her family, and everyone she touched. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
A very sweet little post, Turk. My condolences -- and I'm glad the two of you got to share the most important thing one last time. May the grieving process go as gently as it can for all concerned.
--nashtbrutusandshort
Categorical Aperitif
My heart breaks for you and your family, atta.
As everyone else has said, and as you have said so eloquently, that you got to tell each other "I love you" is the most important thing.
And don't take furniture in off the street.
Sad news Turk....
My condolences Turk.
Ian
I've lost both a father and step mother in the last 6 months. Been there, done that so they say.
Best wishes to you and your family.
My condolences Atta. Very glad you were able to share those last important words. Best wishes.
Oops, anon wasis me, Diane Sweet from Raw Story.
I am so very sorry for your loss, what a moving post. I send my good thoughts to you and your family who will miss her so much.
Condolences to you and your family, Attaturk. And thanks for your blog. It's eloquent snarkiness makes my day.
{{{ {HUGS }}}}
So sorry for your loss .... words can't describe ....
Condolences. Sorry for your loss.
So sorry to hear that, Attaturk. My condolences, and thanks for all you do.
Sandia Blanca
It hurts to say goodbye.....
one of life's most important -painful- lessons for us to master.
My sympathy to you and your family.
"Seeing death as the end of life is like seeing the horizon as the end of the ocean." (David Searles)
My deepest sympathies, Attaturk. Remember that your mother is not truly gone. She wrought herself into your soul and is forever a part of you.
Condolences Attaturk. It's good that you were there for her. Your words and presence were what she waited for.
That was a beautiful, touching post. So very sorry for your loss.
My sincere condolences. I am nearing that point with my own mother I am afraid.
I'm so glad you got to say the right thing to her at the end. Hopefully that can bring you some peace in addition to the pain.
Best to you and your family as you move forward.
so very sorry, attaturk.
I'm so sorry.
I was with my mom at the end and it helped so much to know she wasn't alone. Neither was I. Glad you could tell her how much you loved her before she passed.
My mother left last month. Hard to say much more than Courage.
vox
My condolences to you and your family, Attaturk.
I lost my mother in 1975. And as I am sure will be the same for you, I think of her often. My condolences to you and your family.
BAC
I'm so sorry, Atta. Take good care of yourself.
A.
My sympathy. It's so wonderful that you got to see and talk with her one last time.
Sorry for your loss. I hope you find solace.
My very deepest condolences... go spend time with your loved ones... the idiocy will still be here when you get back.
Very sorry to hear of your loss.
deepest sympathy
dcblogger
I'm so sorry. It's very hard. I will be thinking of you, take care.
Sorry for your loss, Attaturk. We lost our father last week, too. We were there to tell him we loved him, but he didn't have any of that kind of good (bedbug) advice. That sort of worry was my mother's job, and she died in 1999.
Aw jeez, I'm so sorry Fezdude. And yeah, what RIL said upthread. Went through this myself this past January.
Attaturk, sorry to hear of your loss. My mother died suddenly while I was away. It's good that you were able to say good bye.
Beeen there and done that. There is no easy way. Remeber all the advice...you will cherish it someday.
Peace,
RDs,
Reamus
My sincerest condolences on the loss of your mother. Treasure those pieces of advice, the funny little sayings and expressions, and anything else that you can hold on to. Take good care of yourself and your people, and I hope at least two people bring you casseroles.
So sorry-be gentle with yourself.
I'm so glad you were there for each other in that moment, this brief moment that is our life together.
Sorry for your loss, Attaturk.
I don't have any words of wisdom. I lost my mother this year, too. Deepest condolences.
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