My mom, the most wonderful, loving, caring, passionate, curious, life-loving, person I’ve ever known moved on this morning at 916 am. She was 52. She was surrounded by the ones she loved most, and went peacefully while being held, loved, praised, and thanked. She will be remembered always as the woman who loved to learn, loved to teach, loved to read, loved being a mother, her kids, gold finches, the spring, walks in the park, the ocean, the beach, turtles, gardening, the trees, Christmas, chocolate, ice cream, Thanksgiving, bragging about her kids, her car, astrology, the moon, the stars, the weather, and the love of her life, Tom. Without a doubt, she is the strongest woman I’ve ever known. She stared down an overwhelmingly powerful disease that refused to let go, and with an unbelievable amount of strength she held it back and squeezed out all the time she could. She was determined to see her daughter marry in Maine. She was determined to enjoy her daughter’s wedding reception in Cincinnati. She was determined to see my graduation. She did all of those things and more. She always, despite her pain and sufferings, had to put others first, up to the very end.
My mom’s impact on this world by no means ended this morning. Those who knew her will continually be guided by the love and lessons she provided. And the many who were so deeply affected, will undoubtedly share the love and curiosity for life my mom so passionately shared.
I could never write something that would even come close in putting into words just how incredibly my mom was. I owe everything of who I am, who I want to be, and what I’ll do in this life time to my mother. I truly believe that the deep love I feel for my mom could only be the result of a very long, ancient, loving relationship going back hundreds of years. She really believed in reincarnation, and she always said “we’ve been together before, and we’ll be together again.” She herself faced many deaths of loved ones in her life, but she always maintained a positive attitude. She always said, “death is as natural and beautiful as birth.”
She’s moved beyond the body that failed her, but her powerful spirit continues on. I appreciate all the love and respect you all have shared with my wonderful mother throughout her short time here. I can assure you that she valued, enjoyed, and learned from every relationship she ever had. And even if she just knew you for a moment, she cared for you. That was my mother.
Mom, you are the most important person in my life. I love you with all my heart.
The first of several celebrations of my mom’s life is planned Thursday December 22, 2005 (perfect for my mother as it is the first day when the days begin to get longer after the winter soltice) at the Life Success Conference center starting at 7pm, but we welcome everyone at 6:30pm. A map and directions can be found at this link:
http://tinyurl.com/d5236
In lieu of flowers, we ask that you send a donation to the Nature Conservancy, an organization my mom truly loved and believed in. You can make donation in her name, Laurie Putt, by calling (800) 628-6860 or sending your donation to:
The Nature Conservancy
4245 North Fairfax Drive, Suite 100
Arlington, VA 22203-1606
Please feel free to post a favorite memory of my mom below, or by sending me an email:
danputt1ATgmail.com
Thank you again for all you did for my mother,
Dan
