Last week I mentioned my Mother-in-Law was very sick and in fading. She passed away yesterday just shy of her 87th birthday. On the one hand, I am glad she isn’t suffering, but it doesn’t make it easier to think she won’t be around anymore.
I met my mother-in-law on December 26th, 1993. I had just started to date my husband (we met the night before Thanksgiving of the same year). As you can see from the photo above, my husband has 10 brothers and sisters, so meeting his family was quite an event. I had to figure out who his siblings were, who their spouses were and what kids belong to who! I remember the following week trying to remember all of their names!
Anyway, when David and I got to his parents house for Christmas, his Mom was picking up her sister to bring back to the house. I was standing in the kitchen, meeting everyone, and when David introduced me to her, she came right up to me, put her hands on my cheeks and said “Hello Jennifer!!!” We hit it off right off the bat. In the beginning of our relationship, since she lived in the same town as us, I would stop by her house if I had the day off. She always enjoyed having people over, and it wasn’t unusual for her to whip out a bottle of wine and some cheese and crackers for us to enjoy!
Once David and I were married, I worked at a bank literally 1/2 block away from her house. She would invite me over for lunch, or I could just call and ask if I could stop by. I called it Cafe Margaret’s, because as soon as I got there she would have several different kinds of cold cuts and cheeses, different kinds of breads, chips, pickles, it was like a mini party!
When our first son was born, she offered to take care of him for the first 6 months when I went back to work part time. Just knowing that he was in such capable hands made it that much easier for me to go back to work. I would walk to her house after I was done, and frequently she would have him in her lap and they would be swinging on the porch swing watching the cars go by.
She also made it possible for my husband and I to train for the Chicago marathon 2 years in a row. The kids were smaller and she offered to come over (EARLY!!!) on Saturdays to watch the kids while David and I did our long runs. It was at least 6 months of that, and we did that in 2005 and 2006. Without her we never would have been able to do that. When we got back from our long runs, we would sit at our dining room table and we would bring out leftover pizza from the night before and tell her about our runs and just catch up on the gossip of our huge family. I’m going to miss you Margaret!!
So, I’ll be taking the next few days off from blogging, spending time with family celebrating her life.
Jenn, I am SO sorry for your loss! My thoughts are with you and your family! Take care of each other!!!!
What a lovely tribute Jennifer. Prayers for peace and light to you and yours.
So sorry for your loss, she sounds like such a wonderful person.
I’m so sorry for your family’s loss. I know you are all missing her right now, but know that heaven is a better place with her there.
So sorry, Jenn. Give David our sympathy. I know you both were very close to her. Let us know when the services are.
So sorry, Jen. She sounded like a very loving person. HUGS to you and your family.
Two wonderful stories (of the many)… You will be in our prayers tonight.
Dave and Jackie
I am so sorry to hear about your mother in law passing. My prayers are with your family.
**Hugs**
I’m so sorry to hear this news… you’re in my thoughts!
Oh Jenn I am SO sorry. It’s so lovely to hear about your wonderful relationship with your mother-in-law and I’m sure she’ll be watching over you from now on. My condolences!
I’m so sorry for your loss – it’s so nice to hear about a wonderful mother-in-law for a change. Margaret sounds like a winner and she will be missed. Hugs to you and your husband.
So sorry to hear of your loss…hang in there:)
Aww Jenn, sorry to hear about your loss. Tomorrow would be my Grammy’s birthday, so she’s been on my mind a lot. I think this is a great little tribute post to Margaret! 🙂 Great photo too! Enjoy your family the next few days and this season!
i’m sorry to hear about your loss…your post was incredibly sweet – sounds like you had a great MIL who really loved you and your family. sending a big hug your way!
I’m so sorry for your and your family’s loss. What a nice tribute to your mother-in-law! Sending you a hug…
I’m so sorry about your mother-in-law. Sounds like she was an amazing person and this is a great tribute to her. Hugs, Natasha
Jenn I am so sorry for your loss. You have painted such a wonderful picture of her and how much she meant to you. You will be in my thoughts and prayers.
So sorry to hear about your Mother In Law.
xoxo
I’m so sorry for your loss Jenn *hugs*
I’m so sorry to hear this, Jenn! But what a lovely post about your MIL…she seems like such a wonderful, caring lady, and I’m so glad that you had a great relationship with her while she was alive. That makes such a difference!
I’m so sorry to hear of your loss Jenn. I am glad though, that you have so many happy memories with your mother in law & you had such a wonderful relationship. Hugs!
I am so sorry to read this. You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers.
Jennifer,
Your family is very much in my heart.
Thanks to David’s writing, et al, I already feel that I know you and your kids…
Thank you for sharing these memories…
xxx