Short Notes

Dear Readers,

Here are several small notes to pass along.

One of the comments I get often is “I’m not sure if I belong here.” Let’s put that to rest. Here’s the first note:

Dear Lilly:

I did have a beautiful Mother/Daughter relationship until 1992 when my daughter, Kathy, died. She was 36 when she died of kidney failure. She was an insulin dependent diabetic from age 5. In 1986 she was given 2 months to live unless she could have a heart transplant. The doctor at Temple University in Philadelphia said he would try if she was willing, because she couldn't have the steroids that the other heart transplant patients used due to her diabetes. She was lucky - she had the transplant. She was written up in the Diabetic Forecast, July, 1987, because this was so experimental.

I do still miss her, but she left her mark on this earth. She left a son who was 19 when she passed away. He is now 27 and in the Marines. I am very close to him. I have been widowed since September, 1983. My daughter was my life and when her husband divorced her, she and her son came back to live with me.

I'm not sure I belong in your group because my daughter is gone and I have 2 sons left, but no daughters or even granddaughters. Thank you for listening.

Jeanette in Delaware

Of course you belong here. Every woman is a daughter and is welcome here. Even a few men are welcome, if they behave. ;-)

We all need to be reminded over and over to slow down and keep the important things in view. Here’s our second note:

Dear Lillian:

This is a lovely spot to stop and rest in the mad rush of "momming" and "daughtering" in this out-of-control world. The whole key is communication and next is pride. Thanks for your part in touching the most critical arena that we ever experience on this planet. Your charming site will allow lots of people to say things to that otherwise may never be uttered to family folks for many reasons. Life is but a vapor, so reach out in love before it is too late. You will never be sorry if you try, but you might be shattered someday if you don't.

Ruth

Isn’t it wonderful that the Internet makes it possible for us to reach around the world. This note from Switzerland:

Dear Lillian:

I've recently discovered your absolutely wonderful web site in this big beautiful world of ours. I'm an American living Switzerland, married to a Swiss man. My grandmother is an American and I feel very sad that I can't be there for her at the end of her life. Right now she's in the process of moving out of the house she's lived in for the last 45 years. All her precious things are there and she's in the midst of deciding what to keep, what to give away and what to sell. At least I'll be able to be with her for five weeks this summer! You see, this wonderful woman sends me money every year so that I can come visit during the summertime with my three sons.

Your writings are always inspiring and thought-provoking. Thank you so very much. I especially enjoyed the article about giving flowers while we are alive. Now is the time. One thing for sure, when I see my grandmother this summer, I'm going to be giving her flowers the first thing.

Keep up the wonderful work, Lillian.

DeAna in Switzerland

I appreciate these three women taking the time to write. I love to read each one. I want to encourage you to write down your story or a lesson you learned from your mother or grandmother. The wisdom of this great generation is immeasurable and it’s fading away. So write it down and share it with me.

You don’t know who needs to hear your story or who’s life your lesson will touch. Just knowing that you cared enough to write your story will help others take the time to write.

Just click here for instructions.

With all my heart,
Lillian