Remembering Clara

Her slippers arrived today.  I choked up when I held them – because now she won’t.  Clara, my mother-in-law passed away last week.  While we knew it would come, it was unexpected.  We thought we’d have Christmas.

Robert made an Intent the spring of 2013 – to “take care” of his “momma.”  And he did – he took care of her.  I watched them; the independent, feisty woman and her determined, gregarious son.  We didn’t think she’d make it two months, but talk about resilient; she hung with us for a year and a half.

I learned from her about accepting help; no mean feat for a woman who was a self-sufficient rolling stone – and chaffed at the constraints of her illness.  I learned from him about giving from the heart; despite his own ginormous health issues.  They fussed and teased, then shopped the thrift markets.  They poked and prodded; then kicked back and watched the birds & squirrels.

Our world; Robert’s and mine included and reflected Clara – daily.  Clara’s world included and reflected us; especially her son.  We were an alliance; a family unit.  I am him; he was her; she was me and back again.  Clara lives on; in us, her daughters, sisters, grandkids and great grandkids.

She’ll be missed – but her influence, her love lives on.

 ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” ― Matthew 11:28