As I stood on the stage, being ordained an interfaith minister by the Chaplaincy Institute of Maine, I heard and felt Mom’s presence in the birds singing in the trees and the gentle breeze on my face. I felt the pieces of my story settling into place. I was excited, curious and, most of all, ready, for whatever comes next.
—excerpt from Living Is for Living: A Caregiver’s Story
Beautiful, Terry!! Your feet never touch the ground. Your whole presence exudes kindness toward others. You mother is, and always be, proud of you. She lives on in you and your children. ❤️
Thank you Karin, I know you have your version of this story, caring for your beautiful Mom and daughters too. Thank you for all the kindness and encouragement you’ve sent my way – I’m sending the same right back to you!
Terry, as always, inspiring! I would love to hear you preach a sermon. I would love to see you again. my family and I are in the process of watching my parents begin to fail. Mom has had two strokes and dementia is getting worse. I haven’t seen them in over a 1 1/2 and i am excited to spend time with them this July. Hoping that our paths may cross again sometime in the future! Until then, I enjoy your writing and wisdom. Take care, my friend!
Ellen –
Thank you Ellen. I’m glad you will see your parents after this long stretch. I’ll be thinking of you as you travel east, and I’d love to catch up by phone, until our paths cross again.
Terry, tears streamed down my face as I read this beautiful entry about your journey through grief and acceptance. Losing both parents redefines us moving forward. Nothing prepares us for the waves of emotion that hit us after such loss. Your mother, and you and your family were blessed to be together in her final years and days. It makes me happy for you that you feel at home back in Maine, that you find it comforting to live by the very ocean, in the very town that nurtured you through childhood and adolescence ❤️
Thanks for being there for me Coach – for being one of the people who helped nurture me way back when! I appreciate too the encouragement you have given me along the way to keep on writing : )
Your writing always touches my heart, Terry. There were many times on my journey with my mother, who died in mid-April, that I recalled your words and experiences. Thank you! I’m happy for you that you’re back in Maine and wish you many adventures and much growth and joy.
MA from Waterville
Thank you, Mary Ann. Your support and feedback along the way have fueled my sharing. I send my condolences for the recent loss of your Mom, and I hope you are hanging in there. You will be in my thoughts and prayers as we march forward. Please let me know if I can help in any way. It would be fun to get together with the Arnold girls and grab a meal sometime.
Well said. Thank you for sharing.
Thinking of you Sally 💜