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The Ebb and Flow of Life

By Deena Cottingham

Home Stager with GreenApple Staging & Images, Calgary Staging & Photography

March 03, 2010 02:40 AM

Hubby and I I am extremely blessed to have a wonderful, caring and loving husband. Last week we enjoyed some time away -- by his planning! -- on a much needed vacation for the two of us.

However, you never know what is just around the corner.

Sadly we returned home to learn that his Mom was barely hanging on by a thread. She lived a long and good life but had been ill these last few years.

My sweet husband enjoyed the last few hours of her life by her side, holding her hand. While his Mom's passing was not a surprise, it is no less painful and sad for him. My heart breaks for his loss.

Hubby's Mom The rawness will one day pass, but for now, we are sitting and taking it all in . . . with our eyes looking heavenward.

One thing I wish doesn't pass us by, is the reminder to try to live each day with no regrets. In the choices I make each moment, I need to hang on to the question, six months from now, what will I be happy I chose to do today?

Striving is fine . . . as long as it doesn't take away from living.

Blessings to you today.

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David Obbee

Obbee.com - Agoura Hills, CA

Deena: Thank you for sharing- my sympathies to you and your husband. Blessings to you as well.

Mar 03, 2010 02:45 AM

Robert Rauf

CMG Home Loans - Toms River, NJ

Deena, So sorry for your loss. I am glad your husband was able to be with his Mom. It is never easy losing a parent, and then realizing that we instantly become the older generation of the family and dont have that wisdom to turn to.

Mar 03, 2010 02:45 AM

Russell Lewis

Realty Austin, Austin Texas Real Estate - Austin, TX

Broker,CLHMS,GRI

Deena what a wonderful testament to the relationship with your husband. It's the two of you that will make it through any situation no matter what the circumstances!

Mar 03, 2010 02:46 AM

Debi Boucher

Real Estate Showcase Photography - Woodland Park, CO

"Realtor Showcase" - Real Estate Photography/Virtual Tours

Deena - I am so very sorry. Please accept my sympathies for your entire family. I do know how painful it is to lose a parent.

Debi

Mar 03, 2010 03:13 AM

Monique Combs

Royal Shell Real Estate - Bonita Springs, FL

Royal Shell Real Estate - Monique Combs

Deena ~ I am so sorry for you and your family's loss. It is especially hard to lose a parent. My thougths are with you and your loved ones.

Mar 03, 2010 05:30 AM

Laura Cerrano

Feng Shui Manhattan Long Island - Locust Valley, NY

Certified Feng Shui Expert, Speaker & Researcher

Deena, I am so sad to hear this and wish many blessings to everyone in the family. You are very right, even if death is expected it still is somehow a shock....and always a terrible loss.

Mar 03, 2010 07:44 AM

Jo-Anne Smith

Oakville, ON

Deena,

My condolences to your husband, you and all of those who knew and loved your Mother in Law.
Saying goodbye is never easy and I'm glad you have wonderful memories of her that will live always in your hearts.

Mar 03, 2010 11:09 AM

Kevin J. May

Florida Supreme Realty - Hobe Sound, FL

Serving the Treasure & Paradise Coasts of Florida

My condolences flow out to you and your family. So sorry for your loss!

Mar 03, 2010 11:33 AM

Stephanie Reynolds

Integrity First Financial Group, Inc. - Santee, CA

East County San Diego Homes 619-838-4408

Deena- I am so sorry for both your husband and your loss. Life is so precious. What a wonderful gift his mother waited to see him before she made her final journey.

Mar 03, 2010 12:38 PM

Deena Cottingham

GreenApple Staging & Images, Calgary Staging & Photography - Calgary, AB

Home Stager & Photographer

Thanks everyone for your kind and encouraging words. Drawing support from such a large community is also one of life's many gifts!

Mar 03, 2010 01:40 PM

Kathy Streib

Cypress, TX

Home Stager/Redesign

Deena-how lucky you both are to have each other. I am so sorry for your loss. I like your thought-"six months from now, what will I be happy I chose to do today?"

Mar 03, 2010 02:29 PM

William Johnson

Retired - La Jolla, CA

Retired

Hi Deena, Please accept my sincere sympathies and know that these times, as painful as they are, have to be experienced to truly understand the intensity of Love. And love, while it may be eternal in its duration, our ability to express it can have limits imposed and most often does. Sending my condolences to both of you. Keep the love and memories as the gift that it is.

Mar 03, 2010 03:41 PM

Tony & Darcy Cannon

Aubrey and Associates Realty - Layton, UT

The C Team

Deena, nice reminder to live life to the fullest! I would also add our sincere sympathies at this time. It can be difficult, even when it is a blessing to have them go.

Mar 03, 2010 04:18 PM

Diane Rice

Rice Prprty Mgmnt & Rlty, LLC, South Holland, IL - Lansing, IL

SFR, SRES, CNC

Beautifully said Deena.... striving for ANYTHING that strips us from living life is not life... it's strife. It's my prayer that your husband, his family and loved ones will be comforted in the grace granted by a caring God.

Mar 04, 2010 01:00 PM

Deena Cottingham

GreenApple Staging & Images, Calgary Staging & Photography - Calgary, AB

Home Stager & Photographer

Again, thank you all for stopping by and sharing your support and encouragement. The funeral was yesterday, and it was a very tough day. Today the sun is shining and we are filled with hope as we know her faith has been made complete.

Mar 05, 2010 03:11 AM

Mary Yonkers

Alan Kells School of Real Estate/Howard Hanna Real Estate - Erie, PA

Erie/PA Real Estate Instructor

Deena--Sharing your grief helps to lessen the pain. Good lessons for us all to live by. I will keep you & your husband's family in my prayers this weekend.

Mar 06, 2010 06:24 AM

Lottie Kendall

Compass - San Francisco, CA

Helping make your real estate dreams a reality

Deena, you wrote a loving tribute to your husband and his morther. Even in your time of sadness and busyness, you gave us a gift with your reminder, "six months from now, what will I be happy I chose to do today?" I'm off to make amends to a delightful daughter for unwittingly adding pressure to her already-frustrating day.

My best to you and your family,

Lottie

Mar 06, 2010 07:23 AM

Rich Cederberg

eXp Realty - Albuquerque, NM

eXp Realty Agent Albuquerque

Deena, Condolences to you, your husband and the entire family.

Mar 07, 2010 04:38 AM

Debbie Walsh

SHAHAR Management - Middletown, NY

Hudson Valley NY Real Estate 845.283-3036

Deena I am so very sorry for the loss for your family.

Mar 11, 2010 11:01 PM

C. Bartch

Newark, OH

Hi Deena, we seem to have similar philosophies on living one's life. There are no words I can offer to ease the pain from your loss, hoping you and your husband are having a better day today. As William said so eloquently stated above those memories are truly a gift.

Mar 15, 2010 12:13 AM