3 years.

No video this year-too busy with sweet kiddos.

I miss her every day.

A song.

2 years.

"Joy is in our hearts"--Sara Groves

Click tag "My Mama" for more videos.

Sew, cry, sew, cry

I finished Susan's quilt from Mom.

They picked out the pattern and the fabrics together, and she got the top all pieced. I remember her agonizing over color choices, worried that it wouldn't all look nice together. She was always worried about color.

But isn't it pretty? The colors look great. I added the borders and took it to the quilter and put the binding on. Hardest project ever.

Now Susan finally has it. Here we are in the traditional quilt shot-snuggled up on the couch.

Miss you.

Happy Birthday Mom

Today she would be 58.

35 years ago

35 years ago today my parents were married.



When the Hospice Nurse told me that I needed to ask any questions I had, I asked Mom how to stay married forever. She told me "Well, you just do it every day, and some times are better than others."
I'm thankful.

One Year

Wisdom 3:1-6,9

1 But the souls of the just are in the hand of God, and no torment shall touch them.

2 They seemed, in the view of the foolish, to be dead; and their passing away was thought an affliction 3 and their going forth from us, utter destruction. But they are in peace.

4 For if before men, indeed, they be punished, yet is their hope full of immortality;

5 Chastised a little, they shall be greatly blessed, because God tried them and found them worthy of himself.

6 As gold in the furnace, he proved them, and as sacrificial offerings he took them to himself.

9Those who trust in him shall understand truth, and the faithful shall abide with him in love: Because grace and mercy are with his holy ones, and his care is with the elect.

See Matthew's tribute here

the 6 month video here

6 months

**warning**

Gratuitously sad.

My Mama

Rita Alsop

September 23, 1951-June 18, 2008


Service Times:

Vigil @ St. Dominic Church 7:00pm Friday, June 20, 2008.
Funeral Mass with Dinner to follow @ St. Dominic Church 10:00am Saturday, June 21, 2008.

1 Thessalonians 5:18

In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. (KJV)

Mom's cancer didn't go the way we'd hoped, but there are things to be thankful for.

• Hospice is a great organization, they're helpful and efficient and unfailingly kind.
• It's summer, so I can be home all day, every day, to help out and squeeze in every moment of time available.
• Anna has so many friends and so much family that she just thinks she's getting to do lots of fun fun things. I already have her scheduled through Wednesday.
• It's summer, so every day the three Alsop girls can go to the pool when Dad gets home from work, and then go for sno cones.
• I'm married to Matthew, who'll let me spend every day, all day, at my parent's house.
• Susan gets to stay home another week.
• I really like Father Wesley.
• I have a lot of friends who love me.
• We get the chance to say things many people don't get to say.

And that's all I have to say about that.