There are some phrases that your head just refuses to accept as applying to you. "My Mum is dead" is one of them. But my head is going to have to get used to the idea, as Mum passed away, surrounded by her family, last Wednesday.
She'd been fighting ovarian cancer for the best part of two and a half years, but, in the end, the struggle and the repeated courses of chemotherapy took their toll. A few days after the picture above was taken at a charity ball by my brother Mark, she started a downhill slide that took her from us.
Regular readers of this blog, as well as my Twitter and Vox will know I ended up spending a lot of time with Mum over the last couple of years, and her death has left a huge void. My lovely wife has been hugely supportive over that time, and the one bright spot in this is that I will now get the chance to spend much more time with her.
The funeral's on Thursday, and we're currently working through the horrid task of clearing Mum's (epic) possessions. Posting here will continue to be erratic for the next week or so.
And do me a favour. If there's a family member you love, and haven't seen in a while, pick up the phone, drop them an e-mail (or IM them - Mum was always iChatting me at work. Geek girls - you lost one of your own last week) or arrange to see them. Our loved ones are all too soon gone.
July 8, 2008 8:46 AM | Reply
Adam, you are a living testament to the woman your mother was. I can only imagine how proud she was of you.
July 8, 2008 9:14 AM | Reply
May you rest in peace Ann.
July 8, 2008 9:33 AM | Reply
Sorry to hear that.
July 8, 2008 10:16 AM | Reply
My thoughts are with you.
July 8, 2008 12:53 PM | Reply
Adam, im so very sorry to hear of your mums passing. No words can help but thinking of you.
Kate. x
July 8, 2008 10:41 PM | Reply
Sorry to hear about your mum, she sounds lovely. I'm thinking of you and your family and sending best wishes your way.
July 9, 2008 11:30 PM | Reply
Dear Adam (and Mark)
I have such fond memories of Dollar and your family and I will always remember your Mum and Dad. They are together again now. Be strong. Thinking of you both, Joanne
July 14, 2008 1:20 PM | Reply
Thanks for the kind words, folks.
July 16, 2008 10:55 PM | Reply
we've never spoke before, but I do enjoy your blog
some words that helped me that might help you
Remembrance is a golden chain
Death tries to break,
but all in vain.
To have, to love, and then to part
Is the greatest sorrow of one's heart.
The years may wipe out many things
But some they wipe out never.
Like memories of those happy times
When we were all together.
July 17, 2008 12:35 AM | Reply
Thank you - that's really thought-provoking.
September 7, 2008 1:32 AM | Reply
I'm so sorry for your loss, Adam. Deepest sympathies.
September 8, 2008 9:11 AM | Reply
Thank you, Becky - and everyone else who left a comment.