Threads of life and death are all tangled in an awesome way lately. Fourteen years ago on June first, my mother passed away. Four years ago on June first, Louise Champagne (daughter to my best friend Meghan Champagne) was born in the early morning, breathing new life into the date. Today is the birthday of my closest friend throughout youth, C. Z-Spano. C. Z-Spano, was with me the morning my mother died... while today, she is pregnant with a baby boy who is scheduled to hit the scene within days of our baby girl. End of April, my maternal grandfather passed away. His memorial service in Washington D.C. will be held on June 15, one day before our girl's expected due date. My sister-in-law Grace was born on June 13, 1988; my cousin Jonathan on June 3, 1983; Justin just three days ago in 1985. Seems like it's all happening right now. It's always 'all happening right now', but I feel an increase. There is no clear line between any of the birthdays, deathdays, or lifedays in between. Everything happens on the heels of the next thing or is connected to a thing from long ago. Which means today has to do with what has yet to be. My head is in a tizzy.
I want to share a couple photos of my mother with you. Throughout my younger years, she was mom... since pregnancy, she has returned as Mother. What I mean by this is more of a book thing and less of a blog thing. I am in love with the mystery of how relationships continue to evolve long after death. Today, I feel her. In my bones, I really do feel her. And she is perfect now.
Love you all and thanks for reading! Hope your weekend is/was relaxing and offered some respite from the heat.
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| Mom with my Grandpa and Grandma. Damn, they're good lookin'. This gang has passed on, are all reunited in some mysterious way, and all now know the score. |
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| Ain't she pretty? And groovy hair, right?! |
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| Mom and Grandma. A couple of strong women, these two. |
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| And the next two in line. Feeling damn proud of who I am and who I come from. |
Beautiful pictures of your mom!! I sure miss her.
ReplyDeleteme too, linda. thank you!
DeleteSo beautiful . . . I love your writing. . . And I love that June 1st is such an important day in our lives - Louise is lucky to have an aunt/friend/partner in you.
ReplyDeletemeg, i'm pretty sure that's the same haircut your blessed mother had for so long. my friend sam's mother wrote to me and said she too had the same, as it was all the rage. long live the bowl cut!
DeleteTrish- I have so many fond memories of your mom! I would love to share them with you some time. All the camping trips with the cousins and just the family get-togethers were all special. She was an amazingly strong woman with a never ending smile and kind word! I really miss her! I know you will be a wonderful mom just like her! love barb. ps same great smile and kind words always too :)
ReplyDeleteyou write so beautifully. thanks for sharing you with us --- am dying to see the first pictures of our little may! sending lots of love....
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