ladysprite: (WorldSoBig)
ladysprite ([personal profile] ladysprite) wrote2013-10-28 09:08 pm
Entry tags:

Another Goodbye

I had a wonderful weekend, with friends and love and support, and I was surprised in the best possible way with how caring and compassionate and welcoming and helpful the people in my life are, whether they're old friends or people I just met.

And then we came home and found out that, while we were away, [livejournal.com profile] umbran's mother passed away.

She had been having health problems off and on for a little while now, and I know we were both worried about her, but with her living in Latvia there was precious little we could do except worry, and give what advice and support we could send from a distance.

Her passing is a surprise, and a sadness, but at the same time... we don't have to worry about her anymore, and we don't have to imagine what problems and pain she may be facing. It's a small blessing in the face of this.

I miss her. She was good to me, from the first day I met her (admittedly, several years after we started dating). She treated me like her own daughter. She taught me how to bake her favorite breads, and gave me books on Latvian customs and clothing, and made me skirts and sent me birthday cards and more bits of amber jewelry than I can count. When we got engaged, she was the one who was adamant that I not have an "affordable" ring, and arranged for the family's heirloom jewelry to be delivered from overseas so I could be properly bejeweled.

I know my memories of her are obviously and profoundly different from [livejournal.com profile] umbran's, and that I got the Good Parts version, but what stands out to me most of all is how she always sounded like she was about to start laughing. I felt so lucky to be welcomed into her family and her heart.

So. Gratitude for having her in my life for as long as I did, pain for having spent these last few years with her so far away, sorrow at her passing, joy in her memory.... it's an emotionally overwhelming evening.

I miss her.

[identity profile] quietann.livejournal.com 2013-10-29 01:26 am (UTC)(link)
These are lovely words. She sounds like she was a very special woman.

[identity profile] ladysprite.livejournal.com 2013-10-30 12:49 pm (UTC)(link)
Thank you - she really was.

[identity profile] browngirl.livejournal.com 2013-10-29 02:11 am (UTC)(link)
My condolences, my friend, to [livejournal.com profile] umbran and to you. I remember when WD's mother died; I felt weird to feel bereft, beside his loss of his mother, but I did, because she was wonderful to me and a lovely person. Your mother-in-law was a lovely person too, and I'm glad you and she had each other in your lives, and I grieve with you and your husband now.

*all my hugs*

[identity profile] ladysprite.livejournal.com 2013-10-30 12:49 pm (UTC)(link)
*hugs* thank you so much.

[identity profile] jdulac.livejournal.com 2013-10-29 02:41 am (UTC)(link)
condolences to you both on such a loss.

[identity profile] ladysprite.livejournal.com 2013-10-30 12:49 pm (UTC)(link)
Thank you.

[identity profile] vettecat.livejournal.com 2013-10-29 03:13 am (UTC)(link)
Our deepest sympathies to both of you on your loss.

[identity profile] ladysprite.livejournal.com 2013-10-30 12:49 pm (UTC)(link)
Thank you...

[identity profile] wcg.livejournal.com 2013-10-29 03:14 am (UTC)(link)
Oh, heck.

Please pass along my condolences to Arnis, and of course to yourself too. I'm so very sorry to learn of this. She was a fine human being, from all I saw of her and experienced through you. I'm sure she will be missed.

[identity profile] ladysprite.livejournal.com 2013-10-30 12:50 pm (UTC)(link)
Thank you...

[identity profile] pixel.livejournal.com 2013-10-29 11:39 am (UTC)(link)
*hugs* to you both.

[identity profile] ladysprite.livejournal.com 2013-10-30 12:50 pm (UTC)(link)
*hugs* thank you...

[identity profile] gyzki.livejournal.com 2013-10-29 12:35 pm (UTC)(link)
Oh, dear. My condolences to each of you, because you both loved her.

[identity profile] ladysprite.livejournal.com 2013-10-30 12:50 pm (UTC)(link)
Thank you....

[identity profile] ravenrose.livejournal.com 2013-10-29 02:59 pm (UTC)(link)
My sympathies.. I am glad her memory brings you so much joy. You and Arnis will be in my thoughts.

more gentle hugs..

Shelly

[identity profile] ladysprite.livejournal.com 2013-10-30 12:50 pm (UTC)(link)
*hugs* Much appreciated, and thank you.

[identity profile] cristovau.livejournal.com 2013-10-29 04:20 pm (UTC)(link)
My condolences. Thinking of you.

[identity profile] ladysprite.livejournal.com 2013-10-30 12:50 pm (UTC)(link)
Thank you...

[identity profile] janetmiles.livejournal.com 2013-10-29 04:47 pm (UTC)(link)
I'm sorry for your loss. May your mother-in-law rest in peace and be remembered well; may you and [livejournal.com profile] umbran and all who loved her be comforted.

[identity profile] ladysprite.livejournal.com 2013-10-30 12:51 pm (UTC)(link)
Thank you so much...

[identity profile] starcat-jewel.livejournal.com 2013-10-29 06:00 pm (UTC)(link)
My condolences to both of you. That must have been quite an emotional whiplash.

[identity profile] ladysprite.livejournal.com 2013-10-30 12:51 pm (UTC)(link)
It was. I feel bad that we didn't find out right away, but on the other hand I'm grateful that we at least got to enjoy our time with friends. And then I feel guilty for thinking that.

Thank you...

[identity profile] filkerdave.livejournal.com 2013-10-29 06:27 pm (UTC)(link)
Hugs and condolences

[identity profile] ladysprite.livejournal.com 2013-10-30 12:52 pm (UTC)(link)
*hugs* thanks...

[identity profile] ladymondegreen.livejournal.com 2013-10-29 06:34 pm (UTC)(link)
She sounds like a great mother-in-law. I am glad you were able to know her, and sad to hear she's gone.

[identity profile] ladysprite.livejournal.com 2013-10-30 12:52 pm (UTC)(link)
Thank you...

[identity profile] evcelt.livejournal.com 2013-10-30 03:25 am (UTC)(link)
Many condolences and ::hugs::

[identity profile] ladysprite.livejournal.com 2013-10-30 12:52 pm (UTC)(link)
*hugs* Thank you...

[identity profile] duane-kc.livejournal.com 2013-10-30 02:13 pm (UTC)(link)
[hugs] I'm sorry for your loss.
jducoeur: (Default)

[personal profile] jducoeur 2013-10-30 05:37 pm (UTC)(link)
Sympathies to both of you...

[identity profile] joannahurley.livejournal.com 2013-10-31 02:10 am (UTC)(link)
I'm sorry. :(

*hugs*

[identity profile] hermitgeecko.livejournal.com 2013-10-31 01:09 pm (UTC)(link)
Sending hugs and caring to both of you.

[identity profile] johnpalmer.livejournal.com 2013-11-12 04:00 pm (UTC)(link)
My deepest condolences; it sounds like the world is poorer for her loss.