Mom's things were already packed (we'd been about to move her to this fantastic assisted living facility we'd found), but luckily we found "Rita's" bear.
I'm sure Rita had no idea why grandma wasn't there and why there were boxes all over. Every time we'd leave to take a load of stuff to the car, she was SO happy when we came back. She doesn't like it when things aren't "normal."
She also didn't like it that we put this painting of the floor in the backseat with her, covered in a blanket. Look at that poor little worried face.
Luckily she settled in eventually and was fine on the ride home. We brought the little bear with us, and hopefully Rita will make it last.
I took some sweet photos of her with it....
...and then she attacked it.
I posted last week about how we were able to spend Thanksgiving with my mom. So glad we got to do that.
If you want, here's a link where you can read the obituary I wrote and see some photos of my mom. (If you click over there, the main photo is from her 90th birthday, which she really enjoyed!)
It's hard to be sad when my mom had a very long, very good life. We'll celebrate her life when we all get together for Christmas.
In Other News....
Is it terrible to share a link to my mom's obituary and some shameless self-promo in the same post? I know... it is. But... I really appreciate what these folks are doing for my book(s), so I wanted to let y'all know, and this is the only post I'll get around to this week, so there you go...
BookSparks is doing a really cool "book gram" thing where for a mere $10, you can send someone a book gram: a gift-wrapped copy of House Trained, and not only do you get to scratch someone off your Christmas shopping list (books make great gifts!), but you also help a child get a book! For every book purchased, BookSparks is donating a children's book to Reach Out and Read Arizona. Cool, right?
And over at Kol's Notes, I'm thrilled to share that my books were selected as one of the giveaway prizes for #12DaysofKolsNotes (Yay!). You can win all three of my e-books plus other great prizes on the Day 3 giveaway - and there's a huge grand prize at the end. Check out all 12 days! You have until Dec. 20!
Thank you BookSparks and Kol's Notes!
Thanks to My Brown Newfies for hosting Monday Mischief! Visit MyBrownNewfies to see the other blogs in the hop!
Awe, I am so sorry about your mom. I remember when my mom passed away and going through their things is not fun or easy. ~hugs~
ReplyDeleteRita looks so cute with her little worried face. At least she has her bear, though!
I think a self promo is totally fine! I don't think your mom would mind! I loved the last book of yours that I read and I entered Kols' giveaway! I hope I win! :D
Thank you. I'm sorry to hear you also already lost your mom - you're a lot younger than I am! (I hope you win too!)
DeleteI am so sorry to hear about your mom's passing. How lovely that you were able to spend Thanksgiving with her. I wish you much peace and support during this difficult time.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad Rita found her purple bear.
Thank you.
DeleteI too am sorry to hear about your mom. It really is great that you guys were able to spend Thanksgiving together. Love and prayers to all your family members.
ReplyDeleteThe purple bear is awesome and am so glad Rita has it with her now. Loss is so hard for pets to deal with and understand.
It's too bad we can't explain things to our pets.
DeleteYou've been much on my mind. I'm so glad you were able to have TG with your mom and so sorry that she's passed on. Those are adorable photos of Rita with that bear!
ReplyDeleteThank you. I thought those pics came out pretty cute too. She had a bath recently, so she looked especially pretty. :)
DeleteRita looks pretty happy with her bear. Torrey is the same way, don't deviate from the norm, ever. Sorry to hear about your mom, sounds like she had a wonderful life. And so cool about the bookgram, what a great idea.
ReplyDeleteThank you. (And, yes, Rita agrees with Torrey - NO deviation from the norm!)
DeleteWE loved those pictures of Rita and her grandmas bear. I know they will always be special to you. We are so sorry about losing your mom. Your in our thoughts, and prayers. stella rose and momma
ReplyDeleteThank you. It's nice to see Rita enjoying her Grandma bear.
DeleteAwwww, Rita is so sweet. It's hard when our dogs don't understand when someone isn't around anymore. Sorry about your mom. Sounds like she lived a really full, wonderful life - although I know you must miss her terribly.
ReplyDeleteIt is sad when they don't understand.
DeleteI am sorry to hear about your mom. Rita is the sweetest and I love the pictures with her bear.
ReplyDeleteThank you. Rita can be pretty sweet when she wants to be. And she is often a nervous Nelly.
DeleteVery sorry to hear you lost your Mom. Glad you will be "celebrating her life" which sounds like she had a good long one
ReplyDeletehugs
Mr Bailey, Hazel & Mabel
She did have a long, mostly-good life. :)
DeleteWell, Rita knows that your Mom wants her to have fun with that bear, right? She does look so sweet with it and it will be nice for you to think of your Mom whenever you see Rita playing with it.
ReplyDeleteThe obituary you wrote for her is lovely. It sounds like she had a wonderful life, and I'm so glad that she was with you for Thanksgiving.
That book gram is a cool thing, and I saw the great giveaway on Kol's Notes!
Yes, it was really nice that we could get her out for Thanksgiving. We played one last game of cards together.
DeleteSo sorry about your loss.
ReplyDeleteThe pictures of little Rita are sweet... worried girl knows...
LeeAnna
She can be SUCH a worrywort, poor little thing!
DeleteSo sorry to hear about your mom. We are glad you got to spend time with her at Thanksgiving. It's nice even Rita has a memory to hold on to.
ReplyDeleteThank you. Thanksgiving was really nice.
DeleteSo sorry again for the loss of your mom, I'm glad you found Rita's bear and hope it finds you and her peace.
ReplyDeleteIt's nice to see her with it now.
DeleteJackie I'm so sorry for the loss of your mom. I remember thinking, "I'm so glad they were able to spend Thanksgiving with her"! The pictures of Rita are precious I'm glad you were able to find her precious bear and you'll have great pictures to remember the bear by depending on how long it makes it. :-)
ReplyDeleteI'll keep in mind BookSparks, I should have used them last week for the copy I purchased for my donation basket. Next time....
Hopefully the bear with last. It's a beanie bear (yikes) but she's pretty gentle with certain toys, and this is one that she seems to know to be gentle with.
DeleteLove the pictures with the bear and her worried little face. Hopefully she will have that pimento of grandma for a long time.
ReplyDeleteShe's a worrier!
DeleteOh, Jackie, so, so sorry about your mom. Love the obit you wrote; she sounds like quite the woman (and she made it to Alaska, too). I also love that you included photos of Rita and her purple bear. Such a sweet little aside and kind of a confirmation that life goes on, and that small pieces of joy exist, even among sadness. Hugs and take care.
ReplyDeleteOh, she loved Alaska! She wanted everyone to go there!
Deletelove those sweet pics with that bear
ReplyDeleteretro rover
They did come out pretty sweet.
DeleteSo sorry about the loss of your mom. Having faced that recently (though my story came out with a different ending), I knew how hard it is especially at this time of year. Know we're all thinking of you and yours and sending positive support and love your way.
ReplyDeleteP.S. I have to say that purple is definitely Rita's color. :)
Thank you. And I've always thought of pink as Rita's color, but maybe you're right about the purple!
DeletePlease accept my heartfelt sympathy and prayers in your recent loss. Losing a parent is a difficult time regardless of their age. May you find comfort and peace with your many memories. Take care
ReplyDeleteI know you lost your mom not that long ago so you know what it's like.
DeleteThe obituary you wrote for your mom was lovely. I'm sure you'll really miss her.
ReplyDeleteI'm so sorry for your loss.
Deepest sympathies on your mom's passing.
ReplyDeleteIt's wonderful that you were able to find Rita's bear. Hopefully it will last a long time without needing too many "surgeries" (being stitched up). And that's great news bout your book.
So far she's played very gently with it. It makes me smile to see her come running with it.
DeleteThank you.
ReplyDeleteSo sorry about your mom. She sure had a great life and you honored her with the wonderful obituary. I am glad Rita found her bear. I am sure Grandma made sure of that.
ReplyDelete