Betty Hinshaw
1943 – 2006

Some of you may have noticed I didn’t post on Friday. That is because we laid my mother-in-law to rest yesterday (Friday). She didn’t care for the ‘in-law’ part, so I just called her Mom and she just called me son.

Friday was bitter-sweet. Mom had been struggling against cancer and was in a lot of pain the last few months. We’re relieved to know she is free from that now. Still, we will miss someone who was so full of life and shared that life so freely with others.

Emotions are raw in times like this. You find yourself compelled by love and grief to tears and to laughter.

Compelled to silence.

Compelled to share stories.

Compelled to hold each other.

Compelled to reflect alone.

Find those moments, by which we are continually surrounded unaware. The everyday moments in which love can compel you. Don’t stop after the wedding, don’t wait for the funeral. Mom didn’t, and that’s one of the things we’ll miss most.

Mom, to quote the song you sang to your children and then to your grandchildren, “We love you, a bushel and a peck.”

Goodnight.