My mother passed on Mothers’ Day 2001. Having no children of my own, I have survived the previous 20 years hiding under the bed on that holiday. It was too painful to try and explain why I wouldn’t be rejoicing along with others. This year was different. On the night before and on Mother’s Day I played the role of Gingy in a local production of Love, Loss, and What I Wore. It was a healing experience and has given me so much more to think about than the loss of my own mother. Thank you for writing the book and for your blog. I read all of your blog posts back to the original one just to be certain I didn’t miss anything. Now I’m all caught up and will check in again looking for more wit and wisdom. Hugs from South Dakota-one of the states in the middle.
Dear Sweet Daughter of Life,
Love is Eternal, human life is not. I was brought to tears thinking of what you had and lost…however what you did not loose is a richness of having these two beautiful children in your life…not sure what happens down the line for us all, however, I feel the connection with all that is good reoccurs. I really felt your loss…I’m still crying.
Thank you for sharing ALL of yourself with us.
Hi Ilene. I didn’t know you had a little boy who passed. I’m so sorry. Isabelle and I had lost contact over the years but Facebook allowed us to be in touch again. I had hoped to one day get together and catch up on the lost years about our love lives and kids. We never got that chance. I fell on the floor in shock over her passing. Too young and so much to live for. A beautiful human being. Best you can do is focus on the lovely and know you will always be together. xoxo
In the quieter moments of your life, I hope you feel an overwhelming sense of gratitude for the lives of Isabelle and David and for the gift it was to know them. That may sound ironic, but for me, gratitude has always been a protective cloud that has kept me resilient when I’ve lost someone dear to me.
XOXO
Linda
Gingy,
Thank God for giving us memories to reflect back on.
What beautiful children they were. You will see them again.
Gone but not 4gotton.
Peace & Love
Oh Gingy,
My heart weeps with you. I barely know you and I certainly did not know them… But now that you have introduced us, they live on in me as well as in you. They may not be physically “here,” but I believe they are, in fact, everywhere. For me, lost loved ones are guaranteed an eternal presence—both on earth and beyond.
Much love,
Maxine
You will always be a mother and you will always love your children.
My parents were devastated when my brother died suddenly in 1999. It was 2 days after his 40th birthday and on the day of his 3rd anniversary. He left a wife and 10-month-old son, who are wonderful people. My parents never entirely got over his death, and they grieved until they died, in 2017 and 2018 respectively.
Thank you for sharing your children with us. I never met them, but they will live on in my memory of this blog.
Hi,
I am very sorry for your losses and share your grief. My daughter Amy was born with cystic fibrosis. She lived from 1964 to 1983, died age 19. I no longer think of her daily, but still very frequently. Your daughter was beautiful, as I remember you being. I try to focus on all the happy memories, and sometimes that works.
Artie and I had a 65th anniversary last month. We have two sons and they each have two children. We feel fortunate to be able to see the youngest (5 and 6) almost weekly.
Roz
Thank you for sharing your memories of your beautiful David with us. I know that Mother’s Day has to be hard for you after the two losses you have suffered. I send my love and good wishes to you.
Gingi, Wonderful as always. And how beautiful that you allow us to remember David Isaac Beckerman with you. That little angel. May this Mother’s Day bring you happier memories. Sally
Dear Ilene, I was not aware of the loss of your two children. Such tragedies nobody should suffer…and you have done so twice. My heart goes out to you. Mother’s Day must surely be difficult for you. For those of us who have lost their mother, it tugs at our heart, but THAT is the natural order of life. To lose a child goes so much against that. We lost a son, in his 40’s, several years ago, so I know whereof I speak. We do still have a son, and 5 grandkids, so the celebrations go on …with much joy, as life should. You, my friend, are a joy to know, and I will be thinking of you on Sunday, especially.
My mother passed on Mothers’ Day 2001. Having no children of my own, I have survived the previous 20 years hiding under the bed on that holiday. It was too painful to try and explain why I wouldn’t be rejoicing along with others. This year was different. On the night before and on Mother’s Day I played the role of Gingy in a local production of Love, Loss, and What I Wore. It was a healing experience and has given me so much more to think about than the loss of my own mother. Thank you for writing the book and for your blog. I read all of your blog posts back to the original one just to be certain I didn’t miss anything. Now I’m all caught up and will check in again looking for more wit and wisdom. Hugs from South Dakota-one of the states in the middle.
Dear Sweet Daughter of Life,
Love is Eternal, human life is not. I was brought to tears thinking of what you had and lost…however what you did not loose is a richness of having these two beautiful children in your life…not sure what happens down the line for us all, however, I feel the connection with all that is good reoccurs. I really felt your loss…I’m still crying.
Thank you for sharing ALL of yourself with us.
You are dearly loved,
Barbara
Sending so much love to you.
The world falls apart and we are obliged to keep ourselves glued together somehow… and we do. Somehow.
xoxoxox
I have no words for this. Can only love you.
all i can say is i have tears in my eyes and heart….and a heart full of love for you
Gay
Dear Gingy, It takes a special kind of courage to post those photos of your beautiful children. Thank you for doing it.
Love,
Styra
Hi Ilene. I didn’t know you had a little boy who passed. I’m so sorry. Isabelle and I had lost contact over the years but Facebook allowed us to be in touch again. I had hoped to one day get together and catch up on the lost years about our love lives and kids. We never got that chance. I fell on the floor in shock over her passing. Too young and so much to live for. A beautiful human being. Best you can do is focus on the lovely and know you will always be together. xoxo
The ache never goes away, but you always have love from your friends.
Dear Gingy,
Thank you for keeping it real and sharing your heartache and strength with us as well as your humor. Sending love to you.
Dear Gingy,
In the quieter moments of your life, I hope you feel an overwhelming sense of gratitude for the lives of Isabelle and David and for the gift it was to know them. That may sound ironic, but for me, gratitude has always been a protective cloud that has kept me resilient when I’ve lost someone dear to me.
XOXO
Linda
The pain lessens but the love and memories remain
Gingy,
Love lasts 4ever!
Gingy,
Love lasts 4ever.
Peace,
Gingy,
Thank God for giving us memories to reflect back on.
What beautiful children they were. You will see them again.
Gone but not 4gotton.
Peace & Love
Oh Gingy,
My heart weeps with you. I barely know you and I certainly did not know them… But now that you have introduced us, they live on in me as well as in you. They may not be physically “here,” but I believe they are, in fact, everywhere. For me, lost loved ones are guaranteed an eternal presence—both on earth and beyond.
Much love,
Maxine
Dear Ilene,
I remember when I first heard of David’s death and was so shocked and saddened. Those brilliant smiles are always in your heart.
Fondly,
Kathy
Dear Ilene,
I remember when I first heard of David’s death and was so shocked and saddened. Those brilliant smiles are always in your heart.
Fondly,
Kathy
You will always be a mother and you will always love your children.
My parents were devastated when my brother died suddenly in 1999. It was 2 days after his 40th birthday and on the day of his 3rd anniversary. He left a wife and 10-month-old son, who are wonderful people. My parents never entirely got over his death, and they grieved until they died, in 2017 and 2018 respectively.
Thank you for sharing your children with us. I never met them, but they will live on in my memory of this blog.
Hi,
I am very sorry for your losses and share your grief. My daughter Amy was born with cystic fibrosis. She lived from 1964 to 1983, died age 19. I no longer think of her daily, but still very frequently. Your daughter was beautiful, as I remember you being. I try to focus on all the happy memories, and sometimes that works.
Artie and I had a 65th anniversary last month. We have two sons and they each have two children. We feel fortunate to be able to see the youngest (5 and 6) almost weekly.
Roz
Dear Gingi,
Thank you for sharing your memories of your beautiful David with us. I know that Mother’s Day has to be hard for you after the two losses you have suffered. I send my love and good wishes to you.
Sally Olds
Beautiful, as always — and thank you for letting us share your memories of David. Love, Sally
Gingi, How beautiful, as always! And thank you for letting us share your memories of David!
Gingi, Wonderful as always. And how beautiful that you allow us to remember David Isaac Beckerman with you. That little angel. May this Mother’s Day bring you happier memories. Sally
Memories of time with Isabelle and at your house over the years always make me smile.
Dear Ilene, I was not aware of the loss of your two children. Such tragedies nobody should suffer…and you have done so twice. My heart goes out to you. Mother’s Day must surely be difficult for you. For those of us who have lost their mother, it tugs at our heart, but THAT is the natural order of life. To lose a child goes so much against that. We lost a son, in his 40’s, several years ago, so I know whereof I speak. We do still have a son, and 5 grandkids, so the celebrations go on …with much joy, as life should. You, my friend, are a joy to know, and I will be thinking of you on Sunday, especially.