The Longest Day of the Year

I didn't know at 5:00 a.m. on June 21st when I took a walk with Lee, then ran my usual 5 miles with the running group, that I would see every minute of the rest of the longest day of this year.

At 9:41 p.m. I got a call from Teral. He told me that the ambulance had just picked up Mom and that he and Dad were following to the hospital. At 10:10 p.m. Bret called to tell me, "We just lost Mom." Immediately my mind went in several directions. How do you process such a message? I felt the need to comfort my Dad and my brothers, who were all there at the hospital with her, at the same time I felt totally incapable of saying or doing anything. As I tried to focus on what I should do next, I started to shiver and Lee realized that I was in shock. How I dreaded making those calls to our children. They all had their own special relationship with "Grandma Joan" and I knew they would be devastated. I spent the remaining moments of that longest day praying, reflecting, agonizing, and making immediate travel arrangements.

Lee and I were able to book tickets to Utah and be home with Dad and other family members within hours. The next couple of days were spent gathering the family together for our final tribute to Mom. There was a great outpouring of love for Mom from many, many friends and relatives at the viewing the evening before the funeral. We learned so much about Mom, her kindness and generosity, her quiet acts of service, her influence and relationships.

The day of the funeral was a beautiful, summer day. I'm sure Mom was thrilled with all of the beautiful flowers, and the funeral program presented by her family. All of her grandchildren, and most of her great-grandchildren were there to sing "I Am A Child of God." Mom took one last ride along the so familiar canal road to the cemetery. It was a wonderful gathering of Mom's family: Dad, all 5 of her children & spouses, all 17 of her grandchildren, 15 of her 23 great-grandchildren, her 3 living sisters,1 sister-in-law, nieces & nephews, and cousins; and many dear friends, from childhood to the present. I know it was wonderful for Mom to have us all together, caring for one another. I'm sure she was smiling holding Suzy's hand, and thinking, "Don't cry for me - I am so happy."

My mom, Merle Joan Christensen Thorpe, devoted her life to her family. She was very talented and creative but her personal interests always came second to caring for her family. She pursued and magnified her love for music, sewing & handwork, painting, gardening, cooking, and reading most often to encourage and uplift her family and friends. She was a very unselfish person with her time and talents, and taught her children by her example to love and nurture others. I felt close to my mom all of my life, even during those turbulent, hormonal teenage years, and always shared openly with her my feelings and hopes and dreams. I will miss the singular comfort of my mother's love, understanding, and support in this life, and look forward to an eternal reunion.