A Simple Goodbye

It's been pretty quiet around here at the EWN the past week or so and those of you that also bounce to my Facebook page occasionally have seen friends and family posting well wishes and nice sentiments.  They've all been appreciated greatly. 

My mom passed away this past Sunday.  A year and a half ago I wrote about why I wouldn't be trashing the Twilight books anytime soon, as they were a launching point for my daughter that led her to books by Jane Austen, Emily Bronte, Shakespeare and beyond (Moby Dick is even on the TBR pile these days).  Beyond truly believing that there is hardly anything out there that can be considered a complete waste of time for beginning readers, I am also a firm believer that parents can mold their children into readers.

If you were to walk into the front door of my parents home, a fairly modestly sized home, you couldn't help but notice the right hand wall is covered with three immense, floor-to-ceiling, ridiculously overcrowded, bookshelves.  My mom was an incredible multi-tasker, and reading a book was almost always on of those multi-tasks.  My dad is similar.  And I can't remember the last time that either my sister or myself was not in the middle of at least one book.  I don't think that is a coincidence at all.

She was a funny reader--a lover of mysteries, she always bailed from the first chapter to read the last 2 or 3 pages of the book, but then went back and read from where she bailed to the end of the book again.  She was an author's dream though--if she read one of your books and liked it, she's immediately haunt bookstores, Amazon, and the local library to find each and every other title you ever published.

I cannot remember a birthday or Christmas that I wasn't given a book by her as my gift.  In the rare cases it wasn't a book, it was money with a note--do not spend this on necessities--buy yourself a book and if you need more, let me know.  If there's a reason I do what I do here at the EWN, some sort of cause and effect, it definitely traces back to my parents, their love of reading, and their taking me to the library every week when I was five years old.  While she did end up with a reading snob who tended to say no thanks more than not when she suggested a book for me the past few years--her tastes ran extremely wide:  romances, mysteries, thrillers, true crime, and beyond--she did end up with two readers for kids and a trio of grandkids that those traits were also passed on to.

 

Comments

[Kyle]

A wonderful tribute, Dan.

[John Domini]

Dan, condolences. Maybe Shelley offers a comfort: she "has outsoared the shadow of our night."

[M Sarki]

Very nice, Dan. Sorry for your loss.

[Katrina Denza]

I'm sorry for your loss, Dan.

I love that your mother read the end of her books before the second chapter.

xoxoKatrina

[Jon Horton]

Condolences. Losing a parent is a psychic shock, no matter how well prepared one thinks he is. Best.

[Myfanwy Collins]

Sorry for your loss, Dan. This is a beautiful tribute.

[LindaS-W]

Hugs to you and your family, Dan. I lost my father a year ago Saturday, and I still miss him. Your post is a wonderful tribute to her -- your love is evident, as is hers. Peace...

[jesusangelgarcia]

Much love, Dan. Very sorry to hear this.

[Sarah Layden]

Very sorry for your loss. What an amazing legacy your mother left behind.

[Matt]

What a great post about your mom, Dan. Thankfully, I know she knew how much you cared, and how much you appreciated her. Thanks for sharing that with us too.

[Anna Clark]

Oh, I'm so sorry to hear this news, Dan, but I'm so glad to hear about what an amazing person she was. This is beautiful. Thank you for sharing.

[Roy Kesey]

I'm very sorry, Dan. Thank you for this beautiful tribute to her.

[MoGa]

Once I decide I like a book and will finish it, usually about 10-15 pages in, I always read the last page to find out what happens! The only time this has ever backfired on me was Salman Rushdie's Shalimar the Clown.

My thoughts are with you, Dan.

[David McLendon]

I'm sorry to hear of your loss, Dan, and thanks so much for sharing this nice and fitting tribute.

[Erin]

Dan, I'm so sorry. Wishing you peace and comfort.

[stacy barton]

made me tear up. yes.

[Ian D. Smith]

Sorry. Sad news. All the best, Dan.

[Patti Abbott]

My Dad died on November 27. I share your pain.

[Kathy Fish]

This is a beautiful tribute, Dan. You have my condolences. I lost my mom 19 years ago and I miss her every single day. Take care. Kathy

[Pamela Erens]

Dan, I'm very sorry to hear about this. What a moving and loving portrait of your mother. All my condolences to you and your family.

[Leslie]

So sorry to hear of this sad news. What an extraordinary legacy she has given to you.

[Carolyn]

My condolences Dan. All best.

[Mark Cunningham]

Dan, Just heard your sad news. Thank you for sharing this profound and very moving memorial. It inspires me as I continue to read to my son. My condolences.

[rebecca johns]

So sorry to hear your sad news. Many condolences for this loss and strength for the days ahead.

[Lisa Romeo]

I am sorry to read of your loss, but warmed that you have shared your mother's love of books and how that helped mold your life's work.