More than a month has passed since Mom's death, and the messages of support and caring continue to amaze us. I don't think any of her family truly realized the broad impact she had on people's lives until we saw it manifested, over and over, in testimonies from all walks of her life. Discovering anew what a wonderful woman she was makes this time of grieving her loss a bittersweet one indeed.
Our lives are moving on. I am now back in Texas. Dad drove me down last Thursday and left just this morning. David and I truly enjoyed his company, and let him know he was welcome to stay as long as he wanted, but I understand his need to get back home and establish a routine. Before we left he began playing golf again, and was able to brag that he is shooting well below his age of 81. He has friends and family in the Wichita area, and will be able to resume his life. Certainly it won't be the same without his wife, but his memories of her are rich and comforting.
I've been blessed with a new job (!) that starts today. I will be working from home as a Courseware Editor, reviewing training programs that are delivered over the Internet. I have to believe that my 'semi-retired' state was no coincidence, and that the changes in my life were perfectly honed to make it possible to help out Mom and Dad. And now that this need has passed, a perfect job materializes! I am truly blessed.
Over the past few weeks I organized and cleaned out Mom's office files. I was able to set aside several large boxes related to her work with Mensa that Dad and I turned over to the national office in Arlington last week on our drive down. Their historian came out personally to thank us for the donation. That felt good.
Yesterday our copy of the 'Isolated M' arrived in the mail. Mom's picture was on the cover, and wonderful tributes to her leadership graced the inside pages. What a touching surprise! This newsletter that Mom edited for 14 years was truly a labor of love for her. The IM's tradition of quirky humor and friendly comraderie was right up her alley, as she liked to say. She loved the IM community and often said they were the nicest people in the world.
For the IM'ers who are visiting this site for the first time, welcome! Please continue to share your stories and reflections. We love to hear them.
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