My Mark

Mark is in Georgia. He spent the evening at the funeral home taking one last time to spend the evening with our beloved Mamaw. While I don't begrudge Mark this chance in the least, I am sad that I didn't get to go as I love Mamaw too. What has taken me by surprise is how much I miss Mark and how incomplete I feel with him gone. Perhaps it is that I am also missing Mamaw and am unable to bring closure at this moment to her passing, I miss Mark at my side. I can't wait for him to come home.

Death of a Matriarch

Mamaw is gone. For almost 70 years of her 80something years of life, she has been the tie that linked the Bradley family together. Now she is gone. On Tuesday, she will be placed into the ground beside Papaw, her partner in life nor almost 70 years, and now her partner in death. I wonder, did she pass because she no longer felt useful? She certainly seemed to be loving her new life in Jacksonville, but I wonder if that was all a pretense for her family. Regardless of the reason, she will be missed. Each time I talked to her, she would impart some piece of wisdom, whether it be how to care for children, how to keep a marriage together, or how to live life to it's fullest. I feel regret at her plaintive, "When are you going to make time to come to see me again?" -- and never making it.

I will miss you Mamaw. Your journey home leaves a small hole in my heart that no other can fill.