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Laura W.'s avatar

My MOM signed everything the same way... it will be my 5th Mother's day without my mother this year. I do have a wonderful MIL but as you know it's not the same. May you find some peace this Sunday. ♥️⚘️♥️

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Jen Zug's avatar

Thank you, Laura. May you find peace as well.

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Alise Chaffins's avatar

It's been a decade since my mom died and I still have complicated feelings about it. She had ALS and her diagnosis happened right as I was going through my divorce. I knew she was disappointed in me for that, and we just didn't talk much in the year between her diagnosis and death. And prior to that, we had a not-great relationship. When I was blogging in the early days, she specifically told me that she didn't want to read my writing. But we had some good moments and I know she was doing her best, just like the rest of us.

I hope you have a peaceful Sunday. 💞

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Jen Zug's avatar

❤️ Thank you for sharing about your mom. I love when we can look back on difficult seasons with grace.

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Nicole Steinbok's avatar

Love this story. Laughter and tears. Thank you for sharing it again. From, A MOM 🌷

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Jen Zug's avatar

😊 Thanks for faithfully reading and commenting, Nicole!

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Steve Goldberg's avatar

Yes I remember this piece and it deeply affected me then and even more so now today. My mom is amazingly still kicking it, and is sharp as a tack. My dad on the other hand is not doing well at all with moderate dementia and chronic sciatic pain. My mom is taking care of him essentially by herself. I know I take after my mom in temperament and personality, I’m hoping I take after her in genetics more than my dad whose side of the family all had/have dementia. Thank you for sharing this piece again.

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Jen Zug's avatar

❤️Thank you, Steve.

I think about genetics too, and feel a lot of fear around declining slowly at a “young” age like my mom. My dad, however, is in his late 80s and is only now starting to decline cognitively.

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Libby Brady's avatar

I too fucking hate how life is supposed to go on after people you deeply care about die. Love and hugs to you and others who are missing their mom. ❤️

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Jen Zug's avatar

Love you, Libby!

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Sarah Dietz's avatar

❤️ I love the photos. She looked at you the same loving way regardless of what age you were.

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Jen Zug's avatar

Yes, I love these two photos—thanks for noticing! I found them accidentally by doing a search of my photos, and these two came up side by side like it was a re-creation. I’d never seen them together before.

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Mary Hutto Fruchter's avatar

❤️ I totally understand this, all of it. I also love the detail about Covid and doing weird things together. Sending love. Love seeing your garden.

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Jen Zug's avatar

Thank you, Mary.

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Randy S's avatar

Reading this in the wrong time zone, sitting in my childhood bedroom made me tear up and laugh ❤️. Not the easiest trip (no one died), but your post is a good reminder to value your folks while they’re still here (even when they drive you crazy).

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Jen Zug's avatar

Awwww, thanks, Randy. Say hello to the midwest for me.

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Lizzy Co (she/they)'s avatar

So sorry for your loss. My father passed a little over a year ago, and you captured how raw and surreal the days right afterward are. Thank you for this.

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