Grieving Loses

 https://www.wagleyfuneralhomes.com/obituaries/Janice-Harrington-5/#!/TributeWall

This is the last photo of my mom and my mother in law together with my spousal unit and me. It was Thanksgiving 2016. We had no idea it would be our last collective Thanksgiving together. Ever since Todd and I had decided to make a life together in 2005, we hosted Thanksgiving for our loved ones. We so loved having our parents and whoever else joined us come to our rocky ridge to celebrate our good fortune at our home.

My mom and my mother-in-law immediately bonded. 

We enjoyed laughing together and shopping at Talbots and Chico’s the day after Thanksgiving, followed by visiting a couple of  Virginia wineries.

My mom was the first to leave us. She had been diagnosed with recurring breast cancer and made the decision to eschew treatment and refrain from telling us about her condition. She was gone by the end of 2016.

Subsequently, in 2024, my in-laws succumbed to age and illness, leaving us bereft, feeling lost, unable to process life on life’s terms. We are still reeling from grief. 

But, I am grateful for the years we were able to celebrate our blessings with our beloved family members. I am still trying to process and accept that these dynamic, loving, good, generous people are no longer here to share love, laughter, joy, beauty, opinions, support, experience, insight, family history, hugs, an ear, understanding, advice, comfort, reassurance, and connection. 

I miss my mom, my mother in law, my father in law, my aunt, my grandparents more than I can say. But, I am filled with gratitude that I’ve been blessed with the memories of such wonderful people.