Before The Coffee » Photography

Memory Lane Is Never Closed

With a sad heart I’d like to share that my dear Mom passed away on February 23, 2010. She was filled with a passion for life and a curiosity and energy difficult to match. On her last day she went to the doctors for a routine checkup, had lunch with her very best friend and talked with all her children. She was in her home, tucked in her bed, watching her favorite TV shows. Sometime that evening she quietly and peacefully drifted into the night. It was a blessing that she lived a life without pain, surgeries or rehab, she never “grew old.” Mom was 79.

I haven’t slept since Tuesday night, I get an hour here and there. When I wake, I walk the house and stop at a window and look out. I usually stand there for a couple minutes then I go look out another window. The first night after she died the snow fell in large flakes, there was no wind so they fell straight down and I could pick one out and watch it fall. I kept doing this and it started to feel like tears from the sky, I’ve never felt that before.

The irony of posting an image with the title “Memory Lane Is Never Closed” 3 days before she died on FaceBook is going to stay with me a long time. My mom was a bit shy but she did post a comment on FaceBook and I’m so glad she did. (Her name was Rita Pezzella McCollough).

If your Mom and Dad are still living, tell them often you love them.

  • John Barclay - February 28, 2010 - 9:57 am

    Ferrell, I am so sorry for your loss but grateful for your friendship. Your images resonate passion and speak to me. Your words are filled with tender emotion, respect and love for your beloved Mother. I pray that you will be filled with the blessing of great memories and that your heart will forever feel the love of your Mom. Know that I am mindful of your loss and the pain that comes with it and that I love you.

    JohnReplyCancel

  • Scot - March 1, 2010 - 9:49 am

    Ferrell, my deepest condolence to you and your family. It must be a difficult time. Thank you for sharing, it gives us pause and provides perspective to life that can easily be lost when going about the day to day busy-ness that happens.

    -ScotReplyCancel

  • MEM - March 2, 2010 - 3:16 pm

    Ferrell- Thank you for sharing this follow-up to your beautiful image. I’m sorry to hear of your loss, and thrilled to know of the love you obviously and actively shared with your mother, and with your father. I love the lingering images of snow, shadow, along with delight, and all that comes with the golden silence of night (and with sleep!). My parents both died last year, and I think of them always, with love as I feel their presence. Several of your beautiful images come to my mind with this one- a lone figure basking in some level of light or shadow, absorbing the radiated heat or cold, and emitting its own energy. Thanks for all you add to the world (and for this, we all have to also thank your mother and father! 🙂

    MReplyCancel

  • Marilynn Thompson - May 10, 2010 - 8:05 pm

    Ferrell – Was so sorry to hear about your Mom and can only imagine how yesterday went. Your Memory Lane picture is amazing and, as always, you captured the essence of the moment. You are in my prayers and thoughts. Hang on to your memories as they will help you get through this difficult time.ReplyCancel

  • Lisa Passalacqua - June 8, 2010 - 10:53 pm

    Ferell,Such beautiful words & pictures too! Im so sorry about the loss of your mother,I know she lives in your heart forever!
    Im looking forward to seeing more pictures & learning more about you & your work!ReplyCancel

  • Jammy - April 18, 2013 - 1:18 am

    True, Memories can hardly ever be erased completely, though we tend to forget things sometimes but the most important memories we cherish for life!ReplyCancel

  • Trevor Clinch - November 2, 2013 - 8:07 pm

    It is never too early to tell someone how much you love them, but is often too late to let them know that they were loved. I say this in memory of my beloved cousin SharonReplyCancel

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