The Up Side of Having my Life Turned Upside Down...

Welcome back, readers:
This is not the post I planned. But as Woody Allen formerly noted: "If you want to make God laugh, tell him about your plans."

Spoiler alert here: Before we embark upon today's journey, you may want to grab a cup of your favorite brew and maybe some Kleenex too.
This is gonna' get a little deep moving forward.

REWIND TO MY LAST POST

When I published my last entry here and set out to go on a break of sorts, I was in a pretty good place in my life. Though everyone had been adversely impacted by Covid-19, I was still embracing my blessings.

After all, I had more than my share of creature comforts; a loving family; food and shelter; my health; and a creative life that provides a great deal of joy and reasonable income.

As much as one could be during these uncertain times, I was looking forward to an array of things: my mom's birthday was right around the corner; spring was on the horizon with backyard projects; I was working on publishing a new poetry book; my work had been accepted for a few anthologies; etc.

Then it all changed. My life was turned upside down.

I got a call from my sister that my mom had been rushed to the hospital one Tuesday evening in an ambulance. And seemingly out of the blue.

My mom and I spoke nearly everyday. Sometimes multiple times a day.

I would visit her regularly, cook, clean and keep her company. 

In fact, I called her on this particular Tuesday and checked in to see how she was feeling before I left the house to see a client. She assured me she was doing fine.

I never heard from her again.

The details are still very cloudy to me.

But, my mom unexpectedly suffered a massive stroke and died from related complications, according to the hospital.

Talking about a world-changing moment....wow!

Words can not express the pain and loss I am feeling.

My mom was funny, fierce, fabulous and my friend. So much of who I am as a woman today was inspired, instilled and influenced by her. In fact, she's the reason I became a writer.

THE UPSIDE TO THIS TRAGEDY...

 

Even amid the dark days that followed her death, thankfully there was a proverbial "silver lining" to emerge in all this. During this very difficult time, as I navigate my way, I have been reminded of how truly blessed I am to have such fantastic friends across the country.

I am humbled, honored, touched and warmed by the outpouring of support and sympathy over the last few weeks.

HERE ARE A FEW THINGS THAT COME TO MIND WORTH MENTIONING:

• A friend from Kentucky, who I met online years ago, offered to take over any of my creative projects and keep my blog updated so I could continue to grieve and come to terms with things (for as long as it reasonably takes).
• A poetry buddy gave me a check for $500.00 to assist my family with funeral expenses.
• A college buddy drove me around to handle burial arrangements, while waiting in her car for what seemed like an eternity. Never complaining.
• I have gotten an array of cards, calls and financial contributions from folks near and far.
• Even though I didn't expect my friends to come to the service (due to fears of the Corona Virus and related "stay at home" mandates), they came out anyway, to offer moral support and pay their last respects. In fact, when I arrived to the funeral service, some of my friends were there even before my family. 

I can't tell you how much this means to me (and my family as well) during this difficult time.

In closing, I would like to share a poem I wrote for my mom. I read this at her funeral.

ODE TO ARABELLA

 (In tribute to my mother)

We were

Debbie Reynolds

And

Carrie Fischer

Kind of close,

A bond

Uncommon 

To most--

She was my biggest 

Critic,

My most loyal 

Fan,

My

Emotional

“Right hand,”

We spoke 

Nearly everyday,

Laughing

Over silly

Girl’s stuff,

And troubles

Along life’s way,

Little did she know

For me

She was the equivalent

Of a 

Super hero,

My role model,

Though

Sometimes

My foe,

It still

Remains a mystery, 

How she raised 5 kids

And kept her sanity,

Later down the road

Returning to college

Successfully,

To complete 

A 4-year degree

Battling health challenges

Bravely,

Intermittently,

She was kind,

But never failed

To speak 

 Her mind,

No bigger inspiration

Could I ever find,

In this final chapter,

Through death

And living,

Her legacy

Is the gift

That keeps

On giving…

Thanks for reading. 

B/T/W---If your mom is still living, be sure to give her a call and share your love. Tomorrow is not promised.

Last, but not least...

Please excuse any typos, formatting or grammatical errors. As you might imagine, I'm not fully recovered yet. :-)

Have a great weekend, folks.

Jen

Image credits: 

Pixabay.com