Celebrating the Mamas

Posted in Uncategorized by adrianahartley

Several of my friends have lost their mamas recently. This makes me feel sad and vulnerable and I have empathy, imagining what this gap must feel like to them.

I have fear of losing my own mama and just want to love her up, not knowing how much time we have left together. We never know for any of us, of course, but seeing my friends experience this time in their lives makes me think.

It makes me aware that time is passing and that we are aging and so are our parents.

This weekend I will celebrate my other mama and grieve along side my friend and my other family as we celebrate her beautiful life together and share memories and stories from over the past years. We will remember.

Wishing comfort and peace and love to all who grieve, and especially to Cindy, Laura, and Katie. Be well, friends.

namaste

20Jan2016

The Other Side

Posted in Uncategorized by adrianahartley

My other mother passed to the other side of life today after a long and brave fight with cancer. I am feeling sad for her family and the end of her journey too soon.

I am thankful that you helped raise me and taught me such great morals and values. Thank you! You were a great role model and touched so many lives just by being you. I loved how you always sent me birthday cards and signed them Mom #2. I loved how you loved your family, especially your husband. I loved your determination to get on your bike no matter what. I loved that you lived out your Christian values.

You are loved and missed. I hope you’re riding your bike all the way to heaven!

nAMaste

27Oct2015

Season of Transition

Posted in Uncategorized by adrianahartley

October seems to begin the season of transition for us and I wonder if it’s just a coincidence or really true.

10 years ago today, Jeff’s mom passed away suddenly and shockingly at a young age.

3 years ago Dean and Lulu and Leo passed away, all tragically.

1 year ago Chase died before he could graduate from high school.

This weekend A passed away and it deeply troubled me. I just talked to her last week and was so happy that I took the time to not be in a hurry rushing here and there, and spent time talking to her and her husband as they walked past my house. I told them how much I enjoyed seeing them walk together over the years and that I looked forward to seeing them pass by, even when I didn’t stop to chat. Now she’s gone and I’m really sad for J and the grief he is experiencing.

It’s a season of transition, in many ways. Water Polo will end this week and we’ll get more time back, at least for a little while. I’m working more hours now and learning how to transition and balance the juggling needs of a busy family, volunteer commitments and personal sanity. Tricia is too! And the holidays are coming, which I love and that also bring me anxiety!! This year I’m going to focus on presence vs. presents. I told Charlie this when he kept interrupting me today to tell me about his Christmas list. What if we played like REI and took not only Black Friday off but the entire holiday madness off? Bravo, REI – I’m liking your choice to put your money in alignment with your values.

There are also happy transitions this month like celebrating wedding anniversaries and birthdays, so some of this month’s transitions are good! I like to focus on the positive, despite the bad, so I’ll end with this thought.

Wishing you love and peace through whatever transitions you’re experiencing and blessings to all the families transitioning through heartbreaking loss.

xoxo