My Mom's Memorial

I received a phone call on Thursday morning, October 15th that completely rocked my world. It was my sister Tami and Lara telling me that my mom had unexpectedly passed away early that morning in Colorado. She had been diagnosed with a bleeding hemorrhoid and then just a few hours later she was rushed to the ER, went into emergency surgery and died just a few hours after the operation. We still have a lot of questions that need answered by her doctors and surgeons about everything that happened that day, but it was so shocking to lose my mom so suddenly. I had just talked to her on the phone that Sunday evening and all was well. Then suddenly it wasn't.

I headed out to Colorado on Tuesday, October 20th to spend time with my Dad and help prepare things for her Funeral services. My Dad has terminal cancer and is currently under hospice care and to lose my mom so suddenly has been very, very hard on him. He was preparing for his own death, not for his wife's. We knew she wanted to be cremated but we were able to say our final goodbyes in a special viewing held right before they began the cremation process. It was heartbreaking for me to hear my Dad talk and weep with my mom. Their love was so strong and so deep and I am so very grateful to have that example of true love in my life.

He sat and held her hand for the entire time that we were with her. He felt comforted that he was able to warm up her cold hands one more time.

One last kiss...

And a final salute to his "princess."

I spent the next few days organizing things and preparing a display for her funeral. My mom was very big into visual aids so we set up a few things that she had created during the years....

A small sampling of my mom's thousands of family photos...

A tribute to my beautiful mother...

This was the urn that was picked out to hold my mom's ashes. It was beautiful and made even more beautiful by the flower arrangements send by friends and family members...

We took out my mom's owl collection and let each person who attended the luncheon take one home to remember my mom by. She loved the phrase "OWL (I'll) ALWAYS LOVE YOU!"

We had so many wonderful friends and family members come to remember my mom and her life and to support our family during this very difficult time. This is my mom's sister, Clarissa and some of her children and husband.

My good friend Brynn from my childhood years...

Wonderful ward members were there to offer love, support, and lots of great food.

Two of Tasha's friends from middle/high school came to show their love for our family (Amy and Laura.)

Our condensed cousin line-up from all those who were able to attend the funeral...

Just the five of us now...

I was so grateful that Jason was able to come out with the kids and support me during this time. He has been such a wonderful source of strength and companionship throughout all of this.

I miss my mom so very, very much. I cannot imagine my life without her in it. She was a wonderful example of love and caring. Family meant everything to my mom and she always made each one of us feel so important and special. She made each holiday and family event such a joy. She will be so greatly missed.