And the dust settles...

The house seems empty and so does my heart, but as my mother always said, "This too, shall pass." As I attempt to get on with my life, I'd like to share a little of the last few days with all of you who made me feel that I wasn’t alone through your kind and compassionate comments.

In an intimate, candle-lit chapel, family and friends gathered on Friday night to pay tribute and say goodbye to the woman fondly known as "Peg," "Good Old Mom," "Mama Smooch," "Grandma," and "Toots." We all laughed and cried at the memories of this wonderful human being. Even though we were in a Catholic church, my sister, brother and I made sure that the large blown-up picture of my mother displayed on an easel in the alter represented her in true form.

The ceremony was performed by Father Toal, a dear friend of my mother’s of 35 years who is known to drink a little too much. He shared his own stories of mom, along with stories from family and friends, ending with an Irish Blessing. Rose, a classically trained vocalist and dear friend of Andy and Ami’s, sang "Amazing Grace," "Ave Maria" and "Panis Angelicus." It was beautiful.

Most touching, were the tributes written by Andy, Summer and Mary, read by their close friends, Josh, Robbie and Nicole. As I sat clinging to my sister and husband, we cried hard but were proud that this woman touched everyone’s life who had the privilege of knowing her.

As my mother requested, we all gathered after the service at my brother’s house to party. We ate, drank and celebrated her life. I miss her so much sometimes that I can barely breathe, but in some strange way, I feel her with me. This feeling alone has given me a newfound sense of spirituality. With that said, I leave you with thoughts of my mother, found in a song written by Sammy Fain and Irving Kahal and made famous by Frank Sinatra.

I'll be seeing you in all the old, familiar places
That this heart of mine embraces all day through.
In that small cafe, the park across the way,
The children's carousel, the chestnut tree,
The wishing well.
I'll be seeing you in every lovely, summer's day
And everything that's bright and gay
I'll always think of you that way
I'll find you in the morning sun
And when the night is new, I'll be looking at the moon
But I'll be seeing you.