“Take anything you want,” my sister-in-law told me. Last year, my in-laws moved into assisted care living. We walked through John’s childhood home taking a few things, but it seemed strange. Although the house was being readied for sale, they still lived around the corner.
I took Pauline’s iron. Heavy and sturdy, it’s one of those they-just-don’t-make-them-like-that-anymore irons.
Always practical and thrifty, she probably used that iron her entire married life, over sixty years. I rarely iron but was happy to take it since we don’t have one in our Fayetteville cottage. This substantial iron makes the whole chore seem more important.
This morning I ironed. My shirt was too wrinkled to ignore. As I ironed, I considered the many times she must have used it through the years, maybe even ironing John’s clothes when he was a kid. Somehow using her iron made me feel a bit better. I felt calmer, a bit closer to her.
This afternoon we buried my mother-in-law. It was a perfect fall day, a chill in the air, the sky cornflower blue, the trees between Fayetteville and Fort Smith brilliant. Fall was her favorite season.
As I sat in the tiny stone chapel, I gazed into the rafters and wondered if she could see all the people who filled the sanctuary, friends and loved ones saddened by her death.
I wondered if she saw John’s sister do the reading, her voice amazingly steady and unwavering.
I wondered if she saw her husband in his wheelchair, handsome and brave yet broken and lost without her.
I wondered if she heard Ave Maria fill the air, giving everyone goosebumps.
I wonder if she knows how many lives she touched in 92 years.
I wonder if she knows the void she leaves behind.
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| Pauline Boerner 09/03/1920 – 10/13/2012 |
talya
Do not let your heart be troubled… John 14:1
Wonderful tribute to John’s mother!
John asked me to post his response as he is blog-response-challenged…Maybe this is why he NEVER response to any of my blog posts??
As to the questions above, the answer to each is a resounding “she knows”. Mom’s soul has been perfected in the Christ. Her spiritual presence is with and felt by her loved ones, it filled The Little Stone Chapel at Christ the King this morning and comforted all.
Dad is broken hearted but his spirit is strong and strengthened by Pauline. He will laugh again, he will cry again. He will continue to love the love of his life. At his appointed time, he will again dance with her in Heaven.
ok so I see I have a typo. That’s what happens John, when you don’t post your own comments… sorry!
Hauntingly beautiful.
Touching! I bet she knows…
Beautiful . Barbara
I cried. (No surprise there!) But then I went and cried again reading John’s response. I can just picture Gene sitting in the chapel and it breaks my heart. Needless to say, beautifully written (as always) and I can picture every moment. Now I’m crying AGAIN!
Such a wonderful peice by both you and John.
very touching tribute from each of you Talya … I’m so sorry for your loss but inspired by the legacy she has left.
So simple, yet touchingly beautiful. That’s the beauty you bring out with your words, Talya. Thanks for sharing. Sorry for the void in your lives, but everso thankful for her presence which will ultimately be, everlasting. :))
Cindy “Lu”
Thanks everyone. She will be missed.
Sure is dusty in the office, today…
and it’s allergy season…
Such a sweet tribute to Pauline. She was such a lovely lady. Your blog made me cry once more. So beautifully written.