I Get By With a LOT of Help From My Friends

6/17/2013

Dad, Mom and lots of great memories.

by Skip Cohen

I've been torn about posting very much about my mother passing away and the experience, but I've received so many wonderful thoughts from so many people that this post this morning is simply the right thing to do.

Mom's funeral was Friday in Cleveland and by Saturday night Sheila, Dad and I were home. Getting home brought back a lot of painful, but beautiful realities. While we were gone, Mom's caregivers got her hospital bed out of the apartment along with medications and all the reminders of the pain of the last few months.

What we were left with, when Dad walked in, was the ability to think back to the good times. There were and will continue to be plenty of tears, but at the same time, there are those wonderful bitter sweet moments where we're sad at the loss, but can't help but smile over all the memories and the amazing life my folks have had.

Dad is 90 and Mom was 87. Their wedding anniversary is the end of this month, making it 66 years. She passed away on June 10, her parent's anniversary. There was an incredible rainbow seconds after she passed away.

Of all the condolence cards and comments we've received, nobody put it better than our daughter-in-law, Carole, who expressing both her and Brian's thoughts wrote...

"May time accomplish what no words can do and may God be with you at this time of loss."

Thank you all so much for your thoughts and prayers. Your support and friendship mean so much to us. Like I said, "I get by with a LOT of help from my friends!"

6 Comments

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Joe Maher link

6/17/2013 12:53:51 am

Skip, so sorry to hear this news. I said goodby to my mother on December 18th 2012. Long battle but so many wonderful memories of my mother. I feel your pain and thoughts and prayers are with you. After 6 months of her passing memories of her love keep getting stronger. I am sure your memories will grow stronger as well and that will help with the pain if her passing. My thoughts and prayers are with you Skip. God bless.

Pete Budraitis

6/17/2013 01:18:28 am

Skip, I'm just now hearing about the passing of your Mom. I'm so sorry. There really are no words that can be said. I just lost my Mom, 89, last year. It's really hard. You can't imagine how hard until you go through it. Truly what helped me through it all was the support of family and friends who help reflect upon the warm memories. Be well and keep the memories alive. Best wishes.

Waleed Alzuhair link

6/17/2013 01:26:01 am

May God peacefully bless your hearts and memories, and award your Mother the highest place in his Paradise.

Cheryl McDonald link

6/17/2013 02:00:38 am

Thoughts and prayers with you and your family Skip.

Terry Walton Smith

6/17/2013 05:14:57 am

Ahh, Skip my heart goes out to you.I Lost my Mom almost two years ago and I miss her. Nothing I can say will bring her back, but the images I made during her lifetime will be more valuable than ever. When I photograph a family I am honored to be a part of the lasting memories I have created.

Marilyn Sholin link

6/22/2013 08:59:41 am

So sorry Skip. It is truly life experience when we go through this sad event. It's the single life happening that made my brothers and I feel "grown up" even though Mom was 86. Our hearts are with you. Marilyn and Michael.

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