Dear family and friends, 

As it is the close of 2022, it seems like a good time to post a final entry on Mom's page. First and foremost, thank you so much for visiting, leaving messages, and especially for giving to CaringBridge, which has helped us and others so much. You have my heartfelt gratitude on all counts. 

Thank you also for joining us at Mom's visitation and funeral. We felt so much love for her and for us. I very much appreciate the help of friends and family in making decisions about the funeral mass readings and music. I know Mom would want a church service, and this non-practicing Catholic feels like we managed to honor her wishes.

Mom was the last of her generation in the Morton-Krawiec clan. She and my father "bookended" this stage of life. He was the first to pass in 1994; he was in his early seventies . My dad's three surviving brothers and their wives lived much longer.  Mom's two brothers preceded her in death as did their wives. As someone who grew up with a good-sized clan of cousins, it's hard to think that all their parents, my aunts and uncles, are all gone. Or not present in the way they were my entire life. 

I can't help but look back, but I also want to look forward to this new chapter. I'm terribly sad that Mom is gone and I miss her. However, I do feel surrounded by the love of my extended (and far-flung) family and friends. As we all want to say at a moment like this, hold your loved ones close and treat every day like it's the last time you will be together. Sadly, for some folks we know, this was what the holiday brought and my heart goes out to them. I had enough time to prepare for Mom's transition and didn't experience a sudden, unexpected loss. 

One last thing: we even had time to slip a (canned) Manhattan into her coffin. It's not as grand as what the Egyptians took with them at their burials, but we're pretty sure Mom's enjoying it wherever she is. Cheers, Mom!

With my love, 

Ginger