Tuesday, May 19, 2020
When there is another mother.
She wasn’t at family gatherings or birthdays and anniversaries. Holidays spent together were sporadic, mostly Christmas at the Lewins’, an occasional Thanksgiving or Passover.
Where she was always, was there for all lifecycle events; bat mitzvahs, weddings. Every year she’d celebrate her late July birthday with my actual moms August birthday and anniversaries as couples, as best friends do.
There wasn’t a time I can recall when Jackie wasn’t visiting after surgeries with books, reading poems and always, puzzles.
And when moms health has had ups and downs, she’d be the first daily phone call and visit despite ICU restrictions.
She was wise beyond belief, no subject eluded her. She lacked filter which was often shocking, never surprising and all you could do was laugh.
I’ve known 377-8784 before we added area codes. I will miss it showing up on my phone.
She was there always, before I knew my husband, before I knew my friends, like a second mother. I can’t imagine my mom Joanne not having her daily conversation with Jackie. Years, decades.
I love you and will miss you so.
Cathy Pepper Neistat