Every man’s life ends the same way. It is only the details of how he lived and how he died that distinguish one man from another.”
― Ernest Hemingway
(small sparrow in the fountain outside of The Old North Church / Boston, Mass. / Julie Cook / 2014
“[S]he Is Not Dead
I cannot say, and I will not say
That [s]he is dead. [S]he is just away.
With a cheery smile, and a wave of the hand,
[S]he has wandered into an unknown land
And left us dreaming how very fair
It needs must be, since [s]he lingers there.
And you—oh you, who the wildest yearn
For an old-time step, and the glad return,
Think of him[her] faring on, as dear
In the love of There as the love of Here.
Think of him[her] still as the same. I say,
[S]he is not dead—[s]he is just away.”
― James Whitcomb Riley
Ann Alexander Cook
1928-2014
cookiecrumbstoliveby 
I’m so sorry you’ve lost a dear family member, Cookie! What a fitting tribute this is to her! May the Lord of peace and comfort be with all of you as you grieve her passing. Love and hugs, Natalie
Thanks Natalie—it was Gregory’s mom. She’d been in very poor health for about the past year. His family is very screwed up, dysfunctional and estranged—I could write a book. It is sad as she was my son’s only grandmother when he was little as my mom died long before he was born—at one point she had been so good to him—then their craziness spiraled out of control and we’ve had nothing to do with them for the past 12 or so years—but I must not let pass that she was my husband’s mother and son’s grandmother and my mother-n-law once upon a time.
Gregory does have a great relationship with his younger sister—the older one however, along with the parents, were the troubled components–and still is—their dad had been an abusive alcoholic their entire time growing up–so many ill and lasting effects. . .
But to acknowledge her life is important–be it good or bad
Thanks for the kind words–
hugs
cookie
I am so sorry for the loss of Gregory’s Mom.I pray peace and strength that passes understanding for all of you! We send our love!!
Thank Phyllis—the extenuating circumstances behind the past couple of days—like the police being called to the funeral home last night—have kept a sadness almost comical as you know how crazzzyy one half is and remains—but the sadness is there as just the way it’s all now played out—
Glad to have these past days behind us–
love to you
Julie