Thursday, May 16, 2013

Tom's Tribute to Mom




            Nadine was always courageous for the forty years I have known her.  My sister, Kathy, is blessed to have had such a wonderful partner throughout her life.  They would travel around the world, without hesitation, embark on wonderful adventures and constantly challenge themselves to learn a broad range of new skills and information every single year.
            Nadine was always so kind and loving and provided such very wise counsel to me and my family.  She will always be in my thoughts and prayers and I count myself very fortunate to have had such a wonderful friend.
            Finally, my deepest gratitude to you, Nadine for raising such wonderful children who have always been a constant source of kindness, wit, joy and inspiration to everyone that has known them.

            Love,
            Tom

            Tom, Kathy’s brother, was a favorite of Mom’s until the end, when he was helping Kathy care for Mom from time to time.  Kathy would say, “Whew!  There’s nothing like team work,” and Mom would say, “They treated me like a piece of garbage.”
             The day I called Javier to come to the rescue because Mom was acting so strange and he heeded my call (a bit delayed by a brunch engagement) and saw her for the first time in that state of agitation, was the day that, two hours later, Kathy and Tom took Mom to Emergency because Tom felt threatened by her comment, “I’d watch those knives if I were you, Tom.” 
            Mom was very distraught the next day, wanting people to know that she would never in a million years threaten anybody’s life.  Mom wouldn’t.  Mom thought that with her out of the house, Kathy would have her brother come there to live.  Kathy wouldn’t.
            But Tom and Kathy continue to do team work as they take care of their 95-year-old aunt, who lives in Pasadena. 


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