It is with the heaviest of hearts that I share that my beautiful mother passed away peacefully late Monday night at 87 years of age.
I am glad that I saw her earlier that morning and I also checked in on her that afternoon with my youngest daughter and she was sleeping peacefully under a quilt hand-stitched by her mother.
She was such a tough lady and I truly thought she would rally as she always does but I think ultimately her little body was worn out. It's hard for me to believe that she is really gone. One of the last things I said to her was "I love you" and "I am proud of you" and "Get some rest." My sister Beth was also able to visit with her Sunday. She met her youngest and newest great grandson in the fall and we were able to see her Christmas weekend. I know she would have shared that with you!
She was a wonderfully talented person and found beauty in the simplest things. She made everything a special occasion. She was as equally comfortable in pearls and cashmere as she was in worn denim and gardening gloves.
I miss her so much already. I may try to update her blog with some stories about her as I know she would love that. It has been comforting hearing from so many people from my hometown as they share memories of her. Some of the words used to describe her are "kind," "regal," "classy," "special," "awesome," "encouraging," "stylish," and "beautiful." I would wholeheartedly agree!
Thank you so much for all of your kindness to her and friendship over the years. She loved and missed writing and her photography so but her vision had greatly deteriorated due to macular degeneration. She missed many of the things she loved doing and her quality of life had declined. She lived an amazing 87 years on this Earth and I know she is somewhere else rejoicing, gardening, cooking, dancing, and smiling down on her family, who she loved so much. She would thank you for your friendship.
16 comments:
Oh I am so sorry Jamie, your mother and I exchanged little gifts and cards and books over the long, long years we were blogmates. Loved her artistry and her innate kindness and compassion.
I always knew there was a far bigger story underneath her fun nature. And she was such a trouper in her garden and joyful nature.
She will be so missed.
XO
WWW
I am so sorry. I have been thinking about her a lot lately. I feared she wasn't getting better because she hadn't returned to the blog. She was aways so kind and thoughtful to her readers. She really paid attention to what others said. I have missed her for a long while, and now the sadness is greater knowing she is gone. My thanks to you for the updates over time, and for this last one.
My thoughts and prayers are for your family. She was --and IS - a remarkable woman. She lived you all fiercely. I could tell from her writing. ❤️
This makes me so sad. Ernestine was always so kind to me and said many times how much we shared in our love of the farm and gardens. I truly value the friendship we had online. Thank you for reaching out to us in your time of grief and I will be waiting to read the stories you have to tell. Charlotte (lil red hen)
So sorry. She was a wonderful woman. I followed her for many years and think of her often. God Bless her and your family. Bobbie DeWitt
So sad. However she inspired me in life and her memory will continue to inspire me. So many wise words and honest insights.
I write with tears in my eyes as she had gotten into my heart through her blogging. She did come across as very strong.
Your Mom and I got to know each other pretty well, through our blogs and e-mails back and forth. She encouraged me so many times, as we both went through similar "age related" things.
I picture her now, seeing clearly, walking pain free through perfectly manicured gardens.
Blessings to you and her family.
My heart is heavy and there’s a lump in my throat as I type these words. My condolences to you and your family. I am sure this is a great loss to you all. Take care of yourself and each other. I became fond of your Mom over many years of reading her blog and occasionally exchanging notes. ❤️🙏🏻
There are tears in my eyes, and it is difficult to type this. Your mum and I were blogging friends for years, and we exchanged notes from time to time. I loved her, her courage, her determination, her kindness. She was an incandescent spirit, and heaven has indeed gained an angel. My condolences to you and your family.
I "met" Ernestine through blogging more than a dozen years ago. Her love of life was obvious, whether she'd had an outing around town or time in her beautiful yard. She was honest about the challenges of getting older and quick to share the celebrations of day to day living. Most of all Ernestine loved her family, and she knew she was loved by you. I am thinking of you and your family. Thank you for sharing this news, as hard as it must be. I would love to read anything you'd like to share about Ernestine, whose stories will live on for so many of us.
I would love it if you post stories and memories of your mom over the years to come. In my experience (16 years and counting, since my mom passed at age 64, too young, but isn't it always, no matter what age?), you could share stories about her for the rest of your life.
I'm sorry for your loss, which I know is hard, hard, hard. -Kate
I came to check on news from your mother. I had a feeling. I am so sorry to hear of her passing. She did love her woods and I started talking to her before she started her blog, we both read Ronnie’s blog. I noticed she was from Tennessee and sent her a message. I never met her, but felt like I knew her, and you and your two girls. I do hope you’ll share a story when you can….she would love that! I’ll continue to think of her…..and all her family. Much love to you! Beverly Dixon
I'm sorry to hear of your Mother's passing. I enjoyed blogging with her for many years after finding her through Ronni Bennet's "Time Goes By Blog". I'll look forward to anything further you may write about her. I do hope you and her family are coping well with this loss as you recall loving memories of her.
I was just thinking of her today as I came across a book of poetry she had sent me as gift. I'm so sorry to hear of her passing, though she lingers on in our memories of her writing, her kind and thoughtful interactions. Sending prayers and good energy to all who loved her.
Your mum's blog was the first place I visited in the morning, and I miss her so much. Her passing leaves a hole in the fabric of existence that is difficult to fill. She was such a bright spirit, one of a kind, a sister.
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