Sad Days...

News of my mom's illness came on June 13, 2006 during my bike tour to Sweden. I was sitting in my tent in Koblenz, Germany at the junction of the Rhein and Mosel Rivers when I received the e-mail with the subject and body: "Not good / I just got the bad news over the phone. I have been diagnosed with AML, that is Acute Myelogenous Leukemia…" A wave of sadness and confusion overwhelmed me as I crumbled into a ball on the floor of my tent. What did this mean??

Fifteen months later I know the answer. After six months of chemotherapy, a brief remission and then relapse, my mother passed away on September 12, 2007 due to complications. We are fortunate that her passing was quick and spared her from major discomfort or pain. She enjoyed life to her last day, and her eternal optimism and laughter helped us deal with our impending loss. She enjoyed the simple things in life, loved the company of her friends and family, and had a creative touch that is everywhere in her home. I think often of her and miss her so much.