Sue’s Story

Site created on January 4, 2022

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Newest Update

Journal entry by Debbie Iwabuchi

It's hard to believe, but we are closing in on almost one year that Mom has been gone. Gone, but certainly not forgotten. The three of us, Patti, Debbie and John, have continued to close out her "estate" with Patti, chosen by mom, as the executor of her will. Her condo, which we've held on to and will rent out, has been emptied of her treasure trove of antiques, family heirlooms and all things mom. In keeping with her desire to not have her things end up in a landfill, much of the large furniture has been "rehomed" to John's recently purchased "cabin" in central Missouri. A Uhaul load was driven out to North Carolina where some of mom's things were reunited with treasures that Patti had from Dad. Kara and her kiddo's are making new memories around the Singer iron base coffee table.  And the butcher block, also from our house on churchill downs, awaits transit to Jordyn for a new life in Rhode Island. A couple carloads came to Michigan, with the secretary cabinet that Mom had refinished for linen storage in her bathroom, now converted to a coffee bar in my dining room.  Patti and John wanted me to have "shaka", her car aptly named by Patti, which in Hawaii expresses friendship, gratitude, goodwill, encouragement and unity, for which I am so glad! I think of mom every time I drive it here in Michigan with its driftwood interior and comfy heated steering wheel and seats! "It's just stuff" is something that we had to repeat to ourselves over and over as we spent the past 11 months or so, sorting through, reminiscing, and recalling the history behind each "treasure" and holding on to what triggers happy memories for each of us and our families. Facetiming, sending pictures through group texts and several return visits to St Louis for Patti and I and listing a few things on marketplace, we finally reached the point where we were able to take what remained to meaningful charities; Home Sweet Home, Miriam Switching Post and with other things being dropped off at Two Chicks Vintage Marketplace in Ellisville, Upcycled Treasures on Gratiot, Goodwill and Savers. We brought some of her teapot collection to a few of her neighbors, who have continued to be a support to us all. Now that Gigi is an official Touch Therapy pet, John is training with Siteman to be able to take her to their treatment centers. I think Mom would be proud of the three of us for the way that we have honored her life, continue to grieve her loss while drawing strength and love from each other. It's a legacy she taught us. 

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