Filed under: Friends of Shery | Tags: accident, Dian, framing, friendly, hat, kitchen, smile, warmth, welcoming
Your mother was a jewel. I first met her when you and Rob were in pre-school and I taught 3, 4, & 5 year old kindergarden Sunday school at St. Marks. It was not long after that we both joined Stitch and Bitch. What a ride. Her friendship was unique. She was always available, warm, friendly and welcoming.
When I started to display a photo collection, Shery worked with me on the framing. After a few frames, I just gave her the photos and told her to do what she thought would be best. I was never disappointed. She knew her customers and their tastes. After her accident on Line Ave, I waited until the wave of well-wishers were gone, called her and asked when I could come by and visit. She said “NOW”! I grabbed my car keys and fled to the hospital, sat on her bed and we talked for what seemed like hours. It was as though the accident and discovery of cancer never happened. She could always carry her end of a conversation.
To backtrack, you and Rob were going to school at St. Marks. I elected to send my three to Stoner Hill Lab School. It was a risky, but good decision on my part although the rest of the Stitch group was not so sure. One stitch night your mother asked my opinion regarding the quality of education at SHLS. I told her what I thought, but that she should see for herself. Next thing I knew, you and Rob had joined the enrollment. As I recall, you were not too happy with that decision. I may be wrong. However, I was happy to have your mother standing with me as parents of children at SHLS. I remember the wonderful and colorful hats she wore to PTA meetings because she had lost her hair to chemo.
I remember that, to my fear, she always left the back door unlocked. Anyone could come in the house anytime and we did. There were numerous morning and afternoon chats around the breakfast table in the kitchen, which is where Stitch would love hanging out on nights Shery was the host. And, as I recall, we stitched a collage for your mother as a “get well” and “hang in there” momento from us. I hope that was passed along to you.
Although you may have experienced another side, I never saw your mother without a smile. She endured, even through the pain and frustration of losing her ability to function. God has his plan and I am so grateful that he chose to let her stay with us for as long as she did. Never doubt how proud of you and Rob she was or how much she loved you. She talked about you both whenever she could.
May this reflection and those from others comfort you and wrap you in the love she shared with all of us.
The things that trumps anything else is how warm I felt then (and even now as I think of it) when she was in the room and talked to me. She was so very awesome and seemed to make everything better.
Your mom will always have a special place in my heart. She made your home a familiar and warm place for all of us to just be ourselves. Seemed to me like she was one of the rare people that can gain immediate trust and acceptance from anyone. We all loved her and miss her every day.
