GIVING THANKS IN OUR SEASONS OF GRIEVING

August 1, 2020

Dear Family, Friends & Fellow Villagers,

It’s hard to believe it’s been a year since Brenda’s passing. It seems at once like yesterday and some immeasurable distance unconstrained by geological time...

Jenna and I are writing to commemorate and honor Brenda’s life and memory, to publicly give thanks to God for her walk among us and to thank all of you for your prayers and support throughout her battle with ovarian cancer, and for your prayers and support of Jenna and me while we grieve her passing.

Hardly a day goes by when I don’t think about Brenda, how we came together in love, grew apart, and found love together again in hospice. That sacred time together transformed me in ways that I’m only beginning to understand and appreciate.

Brenda’s body succumbed to the ravages of cancer, but she still lives among us and is constantly making her presence known. Her spirit is alive and well in my heart and mind and in the life and being of our daughter Jenna.

Thank you Brenda for giving me your heart in marriage, for giving us your heart in giving us Jenna, and for opening your heart and loving again in the end. Love finds a way. Love is the way.

Thank you all for your prayers and support of Jenna and me this last year of days around the sun.

Please stay healthy and safe all.

With Gratitude & Blessings,

Mitch (Jenna's Dad)

FROM JENNA

Dear Village,

Thanks all of you who have reached out and remembered my mom this anniversary of her passing.

It’s been a bittersweet year of many firsts! Somehow I’ve made it 365 days without hearing her voice, feeling her warm embrace, seeing her radiant smile, hearing her infectious laugh and being uplifted by her charismatic spirit.

Throughout her life, and especially in the year since her diagnosis with terminal cancer, my mom showed tremendous strength of will, determination and resilience. Even while cancer ravaged her body and she was admitted to hospice, her spirit found healing and faith, and she maintained her grace and loved with all her heart. In the end, is there a greater gift that a mom can give her daughter?

Mom, I miss you. Your unconditional love and light have given me the strength and courage to move forward. You are as constant as the sunrise, the moon, and all the stars and I count on you even now. You are always with me!

Rest in peace, Mom. I love you and will see you again.

Thanks all for your ongoing prayers and support.

Sincerely,

Jenna (her daughter)

P.S. - Generous GoFundMe Donors & Village: Patrons - Your donations helped pay for my mom’s Celebration of Life, retire outstanding bills, and helped me through this very difficult time of grief, COVID-19, and unemployment. I will never forget your kindness and support! Thank you!

Please enjoy the accompanying photos from my mom’s Celebration of Life at Brookside Gardens on October 5, 2019 (photos are located in the Gallery tab). So good to see so many of you there and to share the event with those of you who were not able to make it! Thank you!