Sunday, July 19, 2009

Long Goodbye (Amy Carol Webb)


Constance (Concetta) Izzo Driskell Maresco
September 9, 1930 - July 19, 2009

Mom passed away peacefully in her sleep about 7:00 this morning, July 19, 2009. We are currently in process of contacting friends and relatives and will keep everyone posted as to details of funeral arrangements as they unfold. Mari and Brad are at Mom's house now and Sue will be flying back up later today. Thanks in advance to all for your continued love, support and prayers.

Please check Mom's CaringBridge Journal and Guestbook for updates - long story short: ultimately, mom was prepared... physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually (she really did do it Her Way... :-)

P.S. Synchronistically, it's also the seventh anniversary of the death of Dave Carter - those who know me will understand the significance...

SONG: Long Goodbye by Amy Carol Webb (
link to YouTube video)


Stop all the clocks, cut off the telephone,
Prevent the dog from barking with a juicy bone,
Silence the pianos and with muffled drum
Bring out the coffin, let the mourners come.

Let aeroplanes circle moaning overhead
Scribbling on the sky the message He is Dead.
Put crepe bows round the white necks of the public doves,
Let the traffic policemen wear black cotton gloves.

He was my North, my South, my East and West,
My working week and my Sunday rest,
My noon, my midnight, my talk, my song;
I thought that love would last forever: I was wrong.

The stars are not wanted now; put out every one,
Pack up the moon and dismantle the sun,
Pour away the ocean and sweep up the woods;
For nothing now can ever come to any good.

QUOTE(S): "Grief, when it comes, is nothing we expect it to be... After my mother died I received a letter from a friend in Chicago, a former Maryknoll priest, who precisely intuited what I felt. The death of a parent, he wrote, 'despite our preparation, indeed, despite our age, dislodges things deep in us, sets off reactions that surprise us and that may cut free memories and feelings that we had thought gone to ground long ago. We might, in that indeterminate period they call mourning, be in a submarine, silent on the ocean's bed, aware of the depth charges, now near and now far, buffeting us with recollections.' "~ Joan Didion

"...it's not really when you die. It's whether or not you really lived."~ Jerri Nielsen

10 comments:

  1. I am so sorry for your loss Susan. You and your family are in my thoughts. Lots of *hugs*, Chris

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  2. Hey, Amy ~

    Thanks so much, sweetie - big hugs received... <3

    I arrived back at mom's a few hours ago, and my brother and sister (along with their significant others) are spending the night as well - it's only going to get more difficult from here... and I so appreciate your support, even from miles away...

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  3. Hey, Chris ~

    How thoughtful of you to stop in... with more hugs - always appreciated... :-)

    Please know I'm at Falcon Ridge in spirit - ask Girlock to sing Easy People in my honor, okay?

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  4. Dear Sister - my heart is with you. I hadn't checked blogs yesterday so was unprepared to see your post.
    I know you are surrounded by loving family and friends - and that your own heart is strong and sure. Much love to you Susan

    Catherine

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  5. Hey, Catherine ~

    My support system is indeed large and loving... and I am doing my best to keep a strong and sure heart (beautifully said!) - thanks for the care and concern... <3

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  6. Susan, as I expressed to you via e-mail once I heard the news, my heart & thoughts are with you during this time. Please let me know if there is absolutely anything I can do to help ease you though this time.

    I love you..

    Michele

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  7. Hey, M ~

    Thanks for the reiteration of your empathetic expressions - one can never have enough love, as you well know, especially since you went through the same thing just this past February...

    I *do* know you are there... and I *promise* I will be calling upon you once I return home, whenever that will be - I love you too, my dear friend... <3

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  8. Dear Friend...words never suffice at a time like this but I'm thankful your mom went gently and that she chose the anniversary of David's passing. I was listening to F.'s ipod recording of When I Go as I gazed out at the sea on the 19th; never knowing abt. your loss and only finding out when I checked your blog today. Comfort and Love winging your way...Kate

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  9. Hey, Kate ~

    I of course knew you were away (looking forward to hearing stories of your cruise)... and when I realized the actual date of mom's passing, you were the first person I thought of with whom to share the synchronicity. Also interesting is that the tail of my Dave dragonfly tattoo now points to mom's date of passing - not planned but certainly goosebump-worthy...

    I anticipate staying another few weeks to deal with "practical" matters, and will let you know when I return so we can have our long-overdue labyrinth walk and chat - then again, it will happen when it's meant to happen... <3

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