Saying Goodbye to a Mother

Today would begin the three-day transition for my sainted mother into Heaven. As a priest the ritual of saying goodbye is surreal. As a son, I have yet to the find the words to express the gravity of this loss and the anguish that remains. Kitty was truly my superhero, and the most powerful example of unconditional love I have ever seen. On this day seven years ago, at just about this hour we spoke of faith and hope, we spoke of loss and regret. Kitty spoke of fear, I spoke of the courage and strength that she always had. We talked about Nancy, and my dad. Kitty shared her last wishes with grace and humor… “I want to be in my favorite jeans and Longboat Key Sweatshirt…you know I get cold Joseph”…. And, DO NOT put me in the ground and do the Jewish ritual of 24 hours. “I want a bottle of scotch and my favorite martini glass and close the “F…ing box” I want people to remember me the way I was…”.
There will be a Mass of Remembrance this Thursday Oct. 3rd, at 5:00 pm in the chapel…to remember the way she was and will always be! We Miss you Kitty!!!