Jay's Mom, Joyce Greene, passed away suddenly on Sunday, December 14, 2008. She had just returned to Oregon from Idaho, where she had been visiting her sisters and her eldest daughter, Julie. I could go into all of the details of how it happened, but I will suffice it to say that it was quick and painless, just the way she would have wanted it. The doctors are certain that she never knew what hit her. They suspect that she died of a pulomnary embolism.
Joyce will be missed, especially during this time of year. She loved Christmas. She took great pains putting together such thoughtful Christmas gifts. She always apologized that it wasn't 'a million dollars', and we tried to convince her that what she had done by her own hands was worth so much more.
Creating beauty was always important to her. She had such a talent for decorating, creating the crafts that she loved so much, and finding beauty in the simplest things and places.
She also enjoyed imparting her wisdom to any and all. She went through a lot of unpleasantness in her life, but she always tried to see whatever 'positive' she could in those situations. One of her favorite sayings was, "This too, shall pass". It became one of her mantras. Another one of her favorite sayings was, "Live, Love, Laugh", something she tried to do every day.
Joyce and I would have these talks where we would just get silly and laugh like little girls. She always enjoyed laughing, and I loved and cherish those talks. I liked being able to make her laugh, especially when she was having a bad day.
Joyce didn't want a funeral- "no one would come, anyway", she'd say. All she wanted was a graveside service, then go back home and have a 'chocolate orgy' (her words!) and talk about all of the happy and silly things about her. We will honor her wishes, mostly because she said that she'd come back and haunt us if we didn't! lol
Mom, we are going to miss you so very much. We have a sure knowledge of where you are now, and that we will all be together again as a family, but until that day comes, you will be in our thoughts and in our hearts every day, and we will miss you. We love you so very much, Mom.
2 comments:
She sounds like a wonderful woman and I know she will be greatly missed. You were blessed to have known her, I'm sure.
Thanks for your post. It is well done.
I liked the "saying" she had made for me. "LIfe is not about waiting for the storm to pass- It's about learning how to dance in the rain!"
She and I visited on the phone just about every day. It was so easy to make her laugh. I love my sister Joyce so much and I will miss getting to talk to her. I'm glad she has gone to heaven to be with mom and dad and the rest of the family who are there. She was always a good sport about her circumstances. She felt the worst about her relationship with some of her children. I will miss her sooooo much.
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