In June of 2007, my two sons and I drove from North Carolina and Virginia to visit my mom in Eastern Pennsylvania. She was celebrating her 93rd, and last birthday. She passed away in August of that year. It was a wonderful visit. She was so happy to see her grandsons, and the love was felt all around. Though our visit was short, it was a very meaningful time for all of us.
My mother’s love shared
Summer’s most shining moment ,,,
August she was gone
***
Photo: Chris Roth
Photo: Don Ziegler
Lillian at d’Verse, asked us to think about our most shining moment. She referred to the end of March Madness when they shoe clips of the most shinning moments of the tournament! Our assignment was to write a Haibun of prose, followed by a traditional Haiku, describing our most shining moment. There are several that I could have chosen, such as our wedding, births of our boys, our 50th, etc. , but I decided to choose my last visit with my mother.
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Roth Poetry 
You’re lucky, Dwight; it’s the best way to remember her. When it’s a hospital ward, it’s not such a shining memory.
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Yes, that is very anticlimactic to spend the last hours in long waiting! Thank you Jane.
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So very glad you shared this. Handsome and happy boys…love just shining through in both these photos. Your mother is beautiful and she radiates gentleness and kindness. I am certain this will always remain a shining moment for you….so special to share this last visit with her. The haiku is indeed a traditional one….with the punctuation providing the break….and it amplifies the prose so well.
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Thank you Lillian for your kind words of affirmation. It was a great trip and one with live on with me forever! I appreciate the haibun assessment as well!
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Two very nice photos of you with your family. Your mom looks feisty!
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She was very strong, but determined would be a word I would use!! Thank you Lisa.
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You’re welcome, Dwight.
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93 was a good run, but there’s never a good time to lose your mother. Mine died at 39.
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That is so sad for you! It must have been very hard to accept! Mom had many good years in her life and was a fine woman and mother.
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I’m so sorry to hear that, Glenn.
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This is wonderful. The verse, the story and also the pictures: mother and son, father and sons.
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Thank you Peter! This memory will last for a long time.!
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How great you had that last visit. So many are left with just good intentions. You and your sons are some of the lucky ones. Thanks for sharing.
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Yes, we wanted to visit with her while she could still enjoy it!
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your mother is so beautiful! 🙂
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She was very special to all who knew her!
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you can see it in her face 🙂
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Yes!
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Thank you for sharing, Dwight. You were very fortunate to have this lovely memory.
As Jane says–it’s not so pleasant sitting at a hospital bed. And with the recent restrictions, we couldn’t be with my mom for weeks or with her when she died.
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I’m sorry to hear that, Merril. I love my mother before the pandemic hit, so I was with her holding her hand when she died.
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I’m glad you were able to do that, Liz. My sisters and I sat an overnight vigil with my dad when he died. It made it extra rough not really knowing what was going on with my mom.
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So sorry for your loss Liz! It is amazing they let you stay with her! So glad you were able to do that.
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She was living in a continuing care community that was set up for it, for which I am very grateful.
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Oh, I am glad there was a misunderstanding! I am sure you are doing your best to care for her!
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*lost (Boy, that was a Freudian slip.)
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That is so sad and so not right in my opinion! I am so sorry for your loss.
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Thank you, Dwight.
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a truly special family moment, with photographic proof of the three generations with strong family resemblance … great writing, thanks for sharing your special moment!
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Thank you so much for your kind comments. It was a very special moment for all of us.
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one you will always cherish 🙂
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Thank you for sharing your most shining moment with us. What a gift you and your sons gave your mother.
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Thank you Liz! And it was definitely returned.
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🙂
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What fun to see you with your mom, to get a glimpse of you with your handsome sons, and to read your beautiful Haiku. Thank you, Dwight, for sharing.
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You are welcome. I am glad you enjoyed it.
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Thanks for supporting your haibun with photos. Luv your mother’s conted smile and gentle eyes. A beautiful memoir for your family. My Mom was 90 in May. We her children and grand children, held a zoom birthday party for her😊
Thanks for dropping by to read mine
Much💖love
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Thank you Gillena!
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I agree with Jane, that it’s the best way to remember her.
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Thank you very much!
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How very special! Well stated.
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Thank you so much! I appreciate your reading my posts!
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Such a precious shining moment. She lived a long life and I am happy you and your family got to share this memory with her. ❤
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Thank you very much! It was a great time.
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you’re welcome. and you captured it beautifully.
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:>)
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What a lovely photo of the two of you. I hope it’s framed and given pride of place in house.
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Thank you! It is a very special photo for me.
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I am sure you are so grateful you were able to go see her. Lovely Dwight.
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Thanks Linda! It was a great day!
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To meet your mother like that the last time is so much better than sitting by her side and knowing that she have ceased to know you.
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Yes it is. When you can still feel the love it makes all the difference. Thank you for you comment!
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This evocative write of your last visit has me in tears…how precious!
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It was a very precious time! Thank you so much for your kind words.
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What a wonderful last memory to have. Beautifully expressed!
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Thank you Mary it was wonderful!
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what a preciously beautiful moment in time
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Thank you so much! It really was…
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What a lovely memory to share. So lucky for all three of you to have been able to celebrate her 93rd with her. A respectful life length.
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Yes it was a great memory for us all! Thank you so much for reading and commenting.
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🙂
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Wonderful memories/relationship!!! Thanks for sharing this!!
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Yes, You are welcome!
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