REQUIEM

As I am sure anyone who actually reads this blog knows, Julie’s mom Carol passed away last week. It has definitely been a rough go, but I think we all know she is in a better place now. She is already greatly missed by her family and friends, there is no doubt about that, and won’t soon (or ever) be forgotten.

I only knew Carol for a couple years, but in that time it was pretty obvious that she was a great, great woman, mother, and wife. It has certainly been hard for anyone that knew and loved her to watch what happened over the past year, as she was diagnosed with ALS, and as it quickly progressed. It is even harder now that she is gone, because she was such a huge part of so many people’s lives.

In times like these, though I am not a religious person, I have always thought the following prayer was apt:

         Grant me the serenity
         To accept the things I cannot change;
         Courage to change the things I can;
         And the wisdom to know the difference.

Carol will be missed, but certainly not forgotten. There is nothing anyone can do to bring her back, but if everyone tried to live a little more like she did (Dean’s “What Would Mom Do” speech rings true here), then I am sure we would all be better off for it. Her legacy will live on through our memories, and hopefully our actions.

Love and miss you already Carol.