Today is my mother's birthday. She would have been 103 today. It is hard to think that it has been 11 years since she died. A couple of years ago, I heard about a Jewish tradition: lighting a 24 hour memory candle on the anniversary of the day someone died. Alan said that he would rather remember the day that someone was born, rather than the day that they died. I agreed completely with his feelings, so since then, we have lit memorial candles on birthdays of people we love who are now gone. I have been having thoughts of Mom all day. On my computer desk I have a picture of her sitting happily in the window seat of this house. Through the windows, you can see that the sun is shining and everything in the back yard is green and beautiful. She is obviously very happy.
My mother has been a model to me of how to grow old with grace.
If you are interested in getting a 24 hour memorial candle for a loved one, they are available in the Jewish food section of the grocery store.
The easiest way to comment on this blog is to choose "Anonymous" from the drop-down list of choices. That way, you don't have to put in an e-mail address or have one of the types of accounts listed. Of course, you may sign your name to the "anonymous" post.
Books I've Read and Enjoyed
- All the Light We Cannot See, by Anthony Doerr
- American Journeys, by Don Watson
- Behind the Beautiful Forevers -- Life, death, and hope in a Mumbai Undercity by Katherine Boo
- Living the Secular Life, by Phil Zuckerman
- Ordinary Grace, by William Kent Krueger
- The Atheist's Way: Living Well Without Gods, by Eric Maisel
- The Poisonwood Bible and The Lacuna, by Barbara Kingsolver
Next to Little River at Elkmont in the Smokies
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5 comments:
I liked spending time with your mother. What a wonderful thing to do on her birthday.
My grandfather has been gone over ten years and we were very close. He was a preacher and he got me into singing. Each time I sing at church, I think of him. I only have happy memories of my grandfather, so I don't get as sad thinking of him as I used to after he passed. I will always miss him. I love the idea of burning a candle. His birthday is in March, so I'll try to remember to do that.
A friend gave me a 'holiday' bowl and said, "I know this is the first Christmas without your father, so I thought each year when you get out this bowl it will be another remembrance of him." So many ways to remember. I think my 'family photo project' is one way I am remembering. I also like the candle idea.
Rhoda, this blog is such a great idea. Finally getting around to checking my personal email today and this is the second blog I have entered (my niece and nephew have started The Fisher Family blog as they approach the birth of their first child).
It is so good to hear from people and know how they are responding to what I say. Thanks!
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