A Special Message For My Morning Show Family...💜
I wanted to let you know why you didn’t hear me this morning, and why I’ll be off tomorrow Tuesday as well. Tears are streaming down my face as I write this, I can’t actually believe it even, but my mother Nina Pattison passed away suddenly Saturday morning, at 91 years old. When my brother called me I was in total shock. I’m very glad to say she left peacefully in her sleep, but my mom was a healthy vibrant firecracker. At the time of her passing she was visiting friends in Florida. She was due to visit here in California later this month and had a trip to Ireland on the books for September. This eventuality I knew would come, but I didn’t expect it now.
Nina was a musical genius playing piano and singing since she was a little child. She had perfect pitch and could sight-sing anything from Beethoven to the Beatles. I’ve spent my life talking about music, when I’m asked what got me into music I say I’ve got the music in me-from my mom.
My mom was a spirited fixture in her hometown of Troy New York. On any day you might find her singing in the choir at her church, leading garden tours, or acting in plays. She served on the Troy city council and was often seen with her rake cleaning up trash in the local park. That’s when she was in town. She celebrated her 90th birthday cataloging wild-flowers in the hills of Oaxaca Mexico.
The finality of losing someone, even someone 91 is shocking to your heart. When my dad passed away he was at the end of a long painful struggle. His final breath was expected but when it finally arrived, I longed for just one more, just one more moment. I wish so much I could have given my mom one last hug, I perfectly feel her when I imagine that embrace.
If you’ve lost a parent, you might find this article from the Center for Loss & Life Transition very consoling. So far I’ve hit every one of the emotions they mention: Sadness, relief, anger, guilt. One of the suggestions for healing is seek out people who acknowledge your loss and will listen as you openly express your grief. This could be your family, I’ve spent the last few days mourning-a lot, alongside my brothers, cousins, kids, and husband Jordan. Maybe for you it’s your friends or coworkers who are sources of support. The ladies you hear me with every morning, Christie and Karena have extended amazing love and understanding as has our boss Little Ricci.
If you would like to share your experiences of losing a parent, what you might have struggled with or what helped you through, your wise words would be greatly appreciated.
I’ll be back Wednesday. Miss you already. Much love, Martha
https://www.centerforloss.com/2016/12/helping-heal-parent-dies