Another Chapter Closes For Our Family

(*note: if You are reading this article on your phone and don’t see the embedded picture, You can click on the title to present the picture)

Hello and Good Day! Hope You have been doing well -and- the new year has been good to You.

Thank You for taking a moment out of your day to stop by ‘Terry’s Thoughts.‘ I always appreciate You!

This post is not focusing upon my ‘Encore’ activities and experiences. It’s rather focusing on a change in our Family Life and dynamics.

We just returned from our Hometown in western Pennsylvania to close out another chapter in our Family’s life; the passing of our Mother on January 13. Mom was 94 and lived life on her terms.

Mom lived a long and wonderful life until a few years ago when she had to move into a Senior Care Community. Mom’s health began to exhibit signs of decline following Thanksgiving and it was tough, but all in all it was a life well lived. She was a fighter and gave it her best to the end of this life. I am grateful she left us before her health declined further -or- may have lingered on longer than necessary.

This closes another chapter in the Castelli Family journey on this earth. Our Father passed away 32 years ago and we had to close that chapter with our Father sharing in our adult life in 1993.

Now, having Mom gone, we close the chapter of our Family without our Mom and having both Parents; our Children not having both sets of their GrandParents, (Denise’s Parents are no longer with us following her Mom’s passing last October and her Father’s passing 14 years ago), and our GrandKids no longer with their Great GrandParents and Great-Great GrandParents.

Strange sitting her today knowing Mom is now no longer with us. What’s it feel like? I don’t know, it’s not been that long to fully grasp.

I have been reflecting and recalling each and every return visit and the Family gathering Together with several generations around the table sharing in the love, laughter. What a tremendous opportunity to have shared in that good fortune with our Families…how truly blessed we have been!

The emotion I have at this moment, is gratitude. Thankful Mom is at peace and no longer “carrying her cross,” (something my Mom would alway say). Thankful for the care and love Mom provided, in her own way, throughout her life to my Sisters and their Families -and- to me and my Family, ( a regret is Mom did not have the opportunity to enjoy her (4) GrandChildren and (5) Great GrandChildren as she could have had over the years ).

And with death, there is the continuance of our Life we all must accept now without a loved one among us going forward.

Thanks Mom for Everything… You will be missed and know You will always be present in our thoughts and hearts.

I have referenced this song in a past article -and- always find it peaceful and meaningful at times such as this…

“Landslide” is a contemplative song about the passing of time and the inevitability of change. The lyric, “Well, I’ve been afraid of changing, ’cause I’ve built my life around you,” can resonate deeply during a time of loss

I’ll leave You with the lyrics of the song, (and to truly appreciate the song, if You have not heard it before, do yourself a favor and listen to the song sung by the wonderful Stevie Nicks! )

” I took my love, I took it down
I climbed a mountain and I turned around
And I saw my reflection in the snow-covered hills
‘Til the landslide brought me down

Oh, mirror in the sky
What is love?
Can the child within my heart rise above?
Can I sail through the changin’ ocean tides?
Can I handle the seasons of my life?

Well, I’ve been afraid of changin’
‘Cause I’ve built my life around you
But time makes you bolder
Even children get older
And I’m getting older too

Well, I’ve been afraid of changin’
‘Cause I’ve built my life around you
But time makes you bolder
Even children get older
And I’m getting older too
Oh! I’m getting older tooOh-oh, take my love, take it down
Oh-oh, climb a mountain and you turn around
And if you see my reflection in the snow-covered hills
Well, the landslide bring it down
And if you see my reflection in the snow-covered hills
Well, the landslide bring it down
Oh-ohh, the landslide bring it down”

Please continue to take care and make the most of your days!

“Never quit searching, never settle and never give up seeking your greater purpose!“