She would have loved to be honored like this, my Mom who died a couple of days ago.
DU Photo folks have known Mom for years. She came to the USA and we spent time in the Keys each year - as the guests of a friend. He became wealthy enough to buy a condo there - damn fancy, too - and let her use it every year in re-payment for what he perceived saved his future when he was young:
"A preacher’s wife in a tiny German village who understood his professed need to learn things beyond farming. They had books he was to read and discussions to participate in.
He “made it” and farming was left to his siblings….."
That’s the reason the photos I’m lining up all have the flair of the US South. That’s when Mom and I were together the most. I had to go to the old country a few times for funerals, but there were no photos.
So I’m not going to say anything - I’ll just line them up. Many of you will remember her - and you will see from the photographs her love of life and her energy. She had seven children, I was her oldest.
I came here a week plus ago, and I sat at her bed for 7 days and 6 nights until she died in my arms and those of one of my remaining brothers.
I am bereft. And she is relieved after a short month of physical terror.
She was almost 90
Thanks guys for remembering her, and for looking.
The other woman dancing is an adopted sister
= new reply since forum marked as read
And now I can't....but those photos still let me know she was someone worth knowing. That she loved life and knew how to laugh. I wish I could have met her.
I am glad you were with her at the end. I am so sorry for your incredible loss.
Sending you love.
What a lovely tribute - thanks for sharing. The pictures do speak perfectly.
Be at peace for what you could do for her, and be joyful (when you are ready) for the wonderful memories you will have for the rest of your life.
and we think of her (and you, of course) often.
I'm so sorry for your loss, Mira.
to remember her!
where she sticks out her tongue at me in the water in the pool. She did not like to be photographed. Hated her wrinkles. A very vain woman.
I understand how she felt.
I loved when you would share us with her. She seemed to be such a nice, fun lady. You had a great and close relationship and that was wonderful to get a small glimpse of.
Hugs and prayers to you and your family.
Except that she was a pistol. Nice is not the first word to describe her. Though it's in the later line-up of adjectives...
She started to decline in her mid seventies when she broke her arm cleaning a stairway - Germans have this awesome way of keeping floors clean - each tenant has a rotating duty of cleaning the floors that are used communally - and it makes for really clean passage ways.
At that time - 15 years ago - I started calling her every day at about 9 pm her time and let her talk until she did not need to talk any more.
I chose to believe that with a woman of such energy and power having a reliable outlet like that for all the frustrations of aging etc. helped prolong the good parts of her life.
From the photos you shared with us, it looks like your mom enjoyed life and lived it to the fullest. I hope the good memories will help you in the days to come. You're in my thoughts.
MissDeeds
and her love of life comes shining through in these pictures. I would have loved to have spent time chatting with her. I am sorry for your loss, but you will have a lifetime of memories to comfort you.
Your Mom reminds me a bit of my Mom, who passed on 8 years ago just short of her 85th birthday. I'm sure that you love and miss her as I do. 
PEACE! 
I'm very sorry for the loss of your beautiful mother!
Geez
I've been on DU a long time, and have made many a post. But I never babied one and responded to those who care to this degree.
Wonder why that may be? 
Please accept my sincerest condolences. How sad. Thanks for all of your lovely posts about her over the years. Your love for her infused them all.
What a lovely woman and I wish I could of met her. You have some fond memories to hold on to and cherish.
My heart goes out to you my friend.
You were lucky, very lucky, to be with her at the end.
I can tell from the photos you are sharing that she had a real zest for life.
She has an infectious smile, a real warmth about her.
I hope that your heart will be filled with good memories of her life.
And I can hear the church bells.
I know it leaves a huge hole in your heart. I am going to share with you a piece of advice I was given that will sound weird but honestly does help. Embrace your pain, let it run wild through you. Let it hurt, cry, scream (into a pillow if you don't want to be heard) whatever you need to do because once you embrace it you start to heal and eventully you find you can smile through tears at your memories. Lean on your friends, take care of yourself and hang in there. 
She enjoyed life, and that is the best gift she could give you. Bless her soul
You two had so many wonderful adventures together. You know your DU family shares your loss and is with you in spirit. I'll try to get a PM off to you soon, I'm pretty wrapped up in my own little inconsequential drama this week, in a good way. I think I'm headed to Ohio for some temporary work Saturday, if I can get my act together. You are in my thoughts.
Her spirit shines through in your photos.
It gives me a tear in her eye. What a legacy she left.
This is a wonderful tribute and shows a tremendous amount of joy, mirth, and life. You have shown a side of her that demonstrates her happiness and I hope it is how you will always remember her.
May your tears of sorrow, turn to tears of happy memories and love and life shared.
Thank you for sharing. My condolences on your loss. I'm glad your Mom made it to 90. And that she was vital till almost the end. I'm really glad that you were with her at the end and had a chance to say goodbye.
Much heartfelt sympathy and condolences for your loss.
for awhile so I am just now reading your post about your mom and I am so very sorry.
I will miss seeing your posts with pictures of her and seeing her zest for life in them.
