I’ve been gone for 3 weeks and decided to see if I “remembered” how to do this. I might be a bit rusty, but I’ll give it a try.
Our sweet momma was greeted by her Heavenly Father’s open arms on February 7th. We were by her side and as hard as it was to let her go, we were somewhat at peace knowing she was finally at peace too! No more falls, no more anxiousness, no more confusion; just peace! There was some solace knowing just that alone. Thank you for your many prayers that final week. It was hard… very hard!
I took this picture with my phone the night we drove back from St. Louis… She never opened her eyes and saw us, but for a while she reached out for my hand and even fingered my sweater a few times.
She looked more beautiful at her homegoing than she had in years and we were very thankful for that. We have many wonderful memories of our mom and she holds the dearest place in all of our hearts. Thank you for the time I had with my brother and sisters. We enjoyed our time together and I love them all SO MUCH!
Julia, I read in the comments that you lost your sweet mom during the same time. I’m so sorry for your loss. Please accept this big hug from me!
I don’t know what has been going on in the world, and probably even less in the dolly world. Maybe someone can catch me up on the latest news!
I did receive some pictures from Linda and Charlotte so maybe I can get them shown very soon. I don’t have any doll dresses started yet, but I hope to figure out who will be next as soon as I can. I’ve had lots of paperwork spread out on my table, but things are getting less busy than they were. I haven’t sat down at my sewing machine for weeks.
Well, I know this is short, but I just wanted to thank you for all your sweet comments and stories and the cards many of you sent! You all truly are the best readers anyone could have. I even picked up 2 new subscribers this last week. Thank you, Patricia and Elizabeth! I don’t know how or why anyone would subscribe to a blogger who hasn’t been writing, but thank you!
I hope to see you tomorrow,
Blessings, Jeanne
Oh, Jeanne, that is just the sweetest picture of your momma’s hand on yours! What a precious photo, and a precious memory. I wish I could have been with my mom when she died. I had had a big week, with lots of traveling (driving), and when I dropped my friend off at her home the day before mom died, I thought about swinging over to see mom at the adult care home before I came home, but it would have been a half hour out of my way, and I was exhausted. I knew she would understand (and I had stopped and seen her before I left on the first part of my trip, a week earlier). So I went home; later that night my brother called to say her breathing had changed. I offered to go down there (Ron could have driven me–I don’t think I could have driven myself at that point) but Paul said, no, you need to rest. I’ll keep you posted. So I went to bed, and the phone woke us about 7a.m., my brother letting me know mom was gone. That was almost 13 years ago now. Time flies. (My mom looked more beautiful at her funeral than she had in years, too–the lady worked miracles with her hair, based on a picture we gave her. I cried.)
I’m glad you got the pictures okay; I will try to get the second set (the swap things I *sent*) ready to email you soon. Expo starts Thursday, though, so I will be gone for a few days. I’ll have my computer with me, though, so maybe I’ll surprise you and get those taken care of for you this week!
Glad to have you back but, as you’ll undoubtedly hear from others, don’t try to push yourself too much. If you need days off now and then, just take them! We’ll understand!
Dear Jeanne,
, Good to hear from you, time does heal but it is so hard to lose your Mom. You do sound at peace and we all know about how hard it is to see someone suffer and thank goodness we have all those wonderful memories
Take Care,
Sylvia in NH
When I picked up my phone to check my emails, I was hoping you would be back. Praising God that you are. Returning to a routine can be helpful in the healing process; just know how much you are loved.
Jeanne I am so sorry for your loss. It is hard to lose anyone you love but especially hard to lose a parent. The picture is beautiful and very touching. Time and love of God and others helps in the healing process. Know that you and your family are in my thoughts and prayers during this trying time. Carole
Oh Jeanne, that beautiful picture of her hand and yours is the most precious thing! She’s the one who gave you life, and you have now given her back to God in that beautiful embrace. Mother and daughter, always together in love!
I am SO happy to see you are back! It’s been a long three weeks for both you and us, and now we are back together, good times ahead. I did get a few little “new” doll things that I will have to send pictures of, but since I have already sent more than a few, I will wait a bit. You should take your good old time getting back to sewing and the blog. We never left, and you are back, so happy days ahead! 🙂
Jeanne
Glad to see you back and so sorry that you had to suffer the loss of your Mother. You and your siblings have wonderful memories of all the times you all have spent together. When my father died at age 56 I was destroyed. The only way I could accept it was that he had suffered a brutal year in unbearable pain and now was free from all of that. Weeks went by were I could do nothing but feed my kids and get them to school them curl up in a ball. But one day I woke up deciding that this wasn’t how he would want it and that he would want me to give myself a kick in the butt and get back to life. It was, this way my Daddy but it was him nudging me to move on.
Just stay strong and best advice I can give it to slowly get back to what brings you joy as your Mother would want that. Of course, you’ll be doing it with tears for sure. Hugs.
Sandra
Jeanne, I’m so sorry for your loss. (((HUGS))))
My deepest sympathy on the loss of your Mom. Mom’s have a special place in our heart and losing a Mom is especially hard. I lost my Mom almost 3 years ago. What a wonderful picture to cherish. So glad you were able to be with her. Her passing on Feb 7th brought sadness and heartbreak to your family, but for me, a new life was born that day, my granddaughter.
Congratulations, Cindy! You have a next generation dolly lover to plan and play with, what fun.
The Circle of Life. I remember when my father-in-law’s brother passed away in 1982. They mentioned it in my in-law’s church the following Sunday. My mother-in-law said yes they were sad at the passing of her brother-in-law but there was much joy that day also because they welcomed a new grandson into the world. My husband’s favorite uncle passed away on the same day our son, Sean, was born.
Congratulations on your new granddaughter, Cindy!
Feb. 7th is my son’s birthday, too. He was 45 this year! (How did That happen?! LOL)
Jeanne.. my heart is broken for your loss of your beautiful mother . It’s so very hard to lose a parent.. I felt like an orphan when I lost mine to emphysema.
She struggled to breathe for so long , through my tears I knew she was free of pain.
She looked beautiful again and I took solace in knowing she was free and with God. I love the photo … she had lovely hands.. hands that had done so much.
Returning to the things and people who bring you joy is the best way to live with the grief of loss.
Time is our friend 🙏
So wonderful to hear from you. What a lovely memory photo. I don’t know how you were able to capture it, but it is remarkable.
As to the world, not much has changed. Politics and scary flu continue. A new Meadow doll will debut for the Modern Doll Convention in September. I made a dress for a doll that I don’t even own yet. Will it fit? Have no idea. Went to granddaughter’s 7th birthday party yesterday. One of the presents from her parents was an American Girl Joss. They went to the AG store and she picked her out. Sounds fun to me. 🙂
So glad you’re back.
Dear Jeanne, welcome back. We have been holding you and your family in prayer during this time of loss. Don’t worry about getting back into your routine, your routine will find you.
Here’s a bit from the doll world. I attended the Madame Alexander Doll Club convention in NJ this weekend. I didn’t win any dolls in the raffle room but I sure had fun at the events. The theme was “Wendy Climbs Her Family Tree.” Presenters discussed Wendy’s heritage using the international dolls in the Alexander collection. Representatives from the Alexander Company were present and they showed us some dolls from the new line. I can’t tell you how many “ohs” and “ahs” echoed throughout the room.
Welcome back. We are all still here, sitting on the sofa, sipping our tea.
Your convention sounds like fun, Dorothy!! Glad you got to ge!
Jeanne, the faithfullness of your readers simply represents the loving heart we see in you. The beautiful photo of your hands makes me wish I had one like that from my mom’s last day. We are so glad you are back, just because I don’t post much doesn’t mean I am not here for you.
Welcome back Jeanne,
Knowing your Mom is back to her sweet self without the confusion and issues she was having has to be a bit comforting. My Mom used to say there are things worse than death.
The grief you are experiencing let’s you remember all the nice and fun things about your Mom! Glad you had time with your brothers and sisters and the cousins got to see each other too I imagine. Take time and be good to yourself.
Dear Jeanne, I’ve been stopping in every day and was so glad to see you are back this morning. I’m so very sorry for you on the loss of your dear Momma. As far as these three weeks, yes, scary flu. My mom and daughter were under the weather with bad colds and I was running ragged getting things done. I felt very bad that I couldn’t send you a card, but I had misplaced your address and just found it back on Saturday night. Please know that I was thinking and praying for you anyway.
What a lovely photo you have to cherish of yours and your mom’s hands. I would get that enlarged and printed. I don’t know your birth order, but are you the eldest or the baby or in between?
As far as dolly world goes… there are new goodies supposedly up on AG’s website. I plan to check quickly after I post this. Melody is to get Easter items, I know. The next historical doll is coming out this fall. She’s from the 1980’s, which makes me feel a little older. That was my generation. I’m a true teen of the 1980’s having turned 12 in 1980 and 21 in 1989. All my growing up was then. This is the first historical I’ve had any interest in since Caroline. I wonder what angle AG will take. I was a preppy dresser, for sure.
Again, so glad to have you back with us and as Linda stated, we never left.
Dear Jeanne, I am so sorry to hear of your mother’s passing. It was nice to hear that your sisters and brother were all together when she passed from this earth into Heaven. Peace is what we want for them.
I know that as I was at Jack’s side when he passed away on November 30th. No more suffering from his terrible cancer. He is at peace and in good care in Heaven. It is harder for those of us left behind to manage life on this earth. He was my rock and the absolute love of my life. I miss him every minute of every hour of every day. I am grateful that God blessed my life with him 30 years ago. Though now I find some days just unbearable without him.
I hope that prayer walks you through these days of grief.
Jeannie Brandon
Bless you Jeanne!! I was so happy to see you were back.
I’m glad you had this time with family. Family helps to heal. Your memories will become brighter and more heavenly of your mother.
Take your time always and when needed.
Thinking of you, dear Jeanne.
Jeanne, it’s so nice to have you back. Your picture reminds me of my last experience with my mother. She passed away in February also (2007). She also had a stroke and remained unconscious. She was in hospice when I arrived in Delaware from Texas and there were several friends and family members in her room, including myself and my three sisters. It was the first time we’d all been together in quite awhile. I had no idea whether she was aware of me or not, but I sat down next to her, held her hand and said “Hey, Mom.” She squeezed my hand and I knew she was aware of things even if she didn’t seem to be. My last conversation with my mother was two weeks earlier. I had an appointment and I talked to her as long as I could but I had to go. She seemed to want to talk longer than she usually did, but I had to leave. She said “Goodbye. I love you.” and we hung up. Two weeks later she passed away. Her last words to me were “I love you.” I’ll always remember that. Mother was cremated and my sister next in line to me is her caretaker, but we all got small urns. Mine sits on my bookshelf with a picture of my mother and my two children taken one year when she was here at Mother’s Day. I stop by every now and then to smile and chat.
Some dolly news is that Facebook has a nice Ruby Red Fashion Friends page. People are starting to sew more for them and more patterns are appearing all the time and some of them are announced on Facebook. Right now I’m sewing Easter outfits. I made a really cute dress for my Paola Reina Cleo Patrice. I learned a lot about using my serger when making that dress. I tend to think of serging as something you do on the inside of a garment, but this had a lot done on the outside. I’m working on dresses for my Little Darlings Claire and Fallon. They chose the same pattern but different color fabrics and they have hats that go with them that you can do the brim two different ways so they each chose their favorite. The pattern is from Racoon Rags. They have other clothes using Racoon’s Rags patterns and they seem to love the look. Me too.
The weather here has been weird for February. Half the week it’s spring (my azaleas are blooming) and half the weeks it’s winter. Right now the Blue Bonnets are blooming in some areas but they are areas that might have some freezing later this week so I don’t know what that will do to our spring crop of Blue Bonnets and Indian Paintbrush.
Really glad to have you back and looking forward to your next project and seeing the pictures others have sent.
Jeanne, I am very sorry for your loss, but I am glad your mom is at peace. I’m sure she knew you were all with her, and how much you all loved her. I know when I lost my dad, who I had always been so close to, I was relieved for him that he had left this world and was at home with Jesus, but I was in so much pain knowing I wouldn’t have him here every day. I have been praying for you!
What a lovely and thoughtful picture of your hands together. I’m glad your dear mother is at peace now. Your family certainly did everything possible to make her feel comfortable and loved.
So glad you are back. I look forward every morning to your great blog and wonder what interesting and informative subjects you will think of sharing with us as well as the pictures your followers share. Wonderful to hear from you again. Love to you ❤️.
I am so sorry about your Mom and I admit that I’ve missed hearing from you. Like I said before take as long as you need we will wait for your return,