Thursday, December 5, 2013

She's Gone

Esther Tamara Rukasin Annis

Born February 19, 1923
Died December 5, 2013

A smart, thoughtful, interested and interesting woman.
A loving grandmother and mother and aunt.

She is wallowing in chocolate, Hershey's kisses on the side, 
watching Christina-Taylor jump in mud puddles.

Listen in to the conversation:
"You're getting filthy, sweetheart!"
"It's fun!"
"Come, have some chocolate.... take more... don't be stingy with yourself."

Peacefully,in her sleep, surrounded by her memories and supported by Hospice and staff and family,
she left this world and is now reunited with the woman she used to be. 
Sad but not tragic, her loss leaves a void to be filled with good books, loving children, and more photographs than any family should ever collect in ten lifetimes. 

She will be missed and remembered.
*****

I'm taking a funeral hiatus for the next few days.
The Burrow will feature a series of G'ma related posts.
I hope you enjoy reading them as much as I enjoyed living them.

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24 comments:

  1. sassymonkeyDecember 5, 2013 at 6:16 AM

    I'm so sorry for your loss. *hugs*

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    1. Ashleigh BurroughsDecember 5, 2013 at 7:38 AM

      Thanks <3 It was a good life and a peaceful death. We can't ask for more than that.
      a/b

      Delete
  2. AnonymousDecember 5, 2013 at 8:08 AM

    Oh, so sad to hear of your mother's passing. Although I knew it was coming, from your posts, I knew it would be hard for you when it actually occurred. My condolences on your loss.

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    1. Ashleigh BurroughsDecember 5, 2013 at 1:15 PM

      The emptiness is odd, dkzody, even tho I, as you rightly noted, knew it was coming.
      a/b

      Delete
  3. ForestGirlDecember 5, 2013 at 10:18 AM

    You have my deepest sympathy. I hope your image of G'ma and CTG brings a smile to your face as it does to mine.

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    1. Ashleigh BurroughsDecember 5, 2013 at 1:16 PM

      Glad you liked it. I did smile as it came to me. Knowing they're together makes missing each of them a little easier.
      a/b

      Delete
  4. KennethDecember 5, 2013 at 10:56 AM

    I'm so sorry for your loss. May her memory be for a blessing.

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  5. Woman Seeking CenterDecember 5, 2013 at 11:20 AM

    For what comfort may be found in the phrase, I am truly sorry to learn of your mother passing. It can never be the same in your life once 'mom' is gone ~ even if much of her departed in stages ahead of her physical being.

    I have often thought the greatest declaration of love is in celebrating the release of ones parent(s) from the tyranny of age when it steals the essence of 'who they are'.
    I was touched by your words "she is now reunited with the woman she used to be".

    I can't help but believe she's proud of you (and thankful) that you view her departure that way.....

    Still, take care of yourself. What is best, what is inevitable, what is "life" is never easy.

    Thinking of you and your family
    Issy



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    1. Ashleigh BurroughsDecember 5, 2013 at 1:29 PM

      She was ready to go, and she went peacefully. I can't ask for more. Taking care of me.... sigh....
      a/b

      Delete
  6. AllisonDecember 5, 2013 at 11:30 AM

    I'm so sorry she's gone. It leaves a hole in your heart that never really goes away. It gets better over time.

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    1. Ashleigh BurroughsDecember 5, 2013 at 1:30 PM

      I'm on my way to repairing the damage. She will always be by my side.
      a/b

      Delete
  7. AnonymousDecember 5, 2013 at 1:26 PM

    So sorry to hear of your loss. Once again I find myself crying for my own mother as I weep for you today. It is a pain like no other and my heart is with you. Love to you and your family. Betsy

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    1. Ashleigh BurroughsDecember 5, 2013 at 1:30 PM

      Hugs across the ether, Betsy. It's hard... so hard...
      a/b

      Delete
  8. thormooDecember 5, 2013 at 1:29 PM

    Please accept my heartfelt condolences A/B, I am so sorry for your loss. The incredible thing about this blogging business is though we rarely meet other bloggers or their subjects, it truly feels that we really have gotten to know them quite well. This is very true in relation to your Mum and your shared experiences with her over the last few years. i also owe you both a debt of gratitude because as you already know, by sharing those truly private and profound experiences with all of us, you have helped me adjust and prepare as I go through similar experiences with my aging parents. Peace to you and yours...T

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    1. Ashleigh BurroughsDecember 5, 2013 at 1:31 PM

      So glad her experience was a help to you, thormoo. Writing about it and reading your responses got me through the toughest parts. Still, my heart is achy....
      a/b

      Delete
  9. Rain TrueaxDecember 5, 2013 at 6:20 PM

    She was beautiful and from all you have said was an interesting woman. I am sorry for your loss but she wanted to go on and she let go. Sometimes that's the hardest part when we all reach that age. Soon the memories will be your joy

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    1. Ashleigh BurroughsDecember 5, 2013 at 8:49 PM

      Too true, Rain. I just said tonight that these last months will fade and I'll be able to look at the pictures from years ago with joy. I miss her, but she was ready to go, and she did.
      a/b

      Delete
  10. UnknownDecember 5, 2013 at 6:56 PM

    In the next few days you will cry, share stories, laugh, share stories, rearrange everything in your brain to reflect a new reality, but always remember that she lives on as you share her wit and wisdom. Hugs.

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  11. hyo cynthDecember 7, 2013 at 4:04 PM

    Oh, a/b, I'm very sorry for your loss. Mom's seem to be the glue that keep things together (okay, not all Moms are like that), but it certainly sounded like your mom was. Get yourself some tape for now until little by little the crack will mend. Thinking of you and sending a prayer your way. Take care.

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    1. Ashleigh BurroughsDecember 13, 2013 at 10:54 AM

      I'm binding my wounds with yoga and hugs and reading how my stories touched the denizens of The Burrow. It was a long life and a peaceful death - who could ask for more?
      a/b

      Delete
  12. ButtercupDecember 9, 2013 at 9:09 PM

    Beautiful picture. May her memory be a blessing.

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    1. Ashleigh BurroughsDecember 13, 2013 at 10:56 AM

      Thanks, Carol. She saw herself as that girl, even as wrinkles over took her. Her memory is a blessing, indeed.
      a/b

      Delete

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