30 Comments

What a beautiful read this Thanksgiving Day morning. I can relate with moms making things, especially Christmas ornaments. My 97-year old mom died 13 days ago, and one of her legacies is that we 5 kids would make Christmas ornaments after Thanksgiving dinner. She would assemble all the materials needed, with options galore. I still have those ornaments, and have loosely continued that legacy. In 9 days my extended family will gather for her memorial, and I'm debating about making Christmas ornaments with the group. I think it's a go. Thank you for sharing your story.

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Oh, I hope you make ornaments. What a beautiful idea. I’m so sorry you lost your mother. May her memory be a blessing❤️

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Thanks, Deborah, and it's a definite "go" for ornament making. I'm gathering ideas for something simple that will travel well. I'm excited and my heart filled with love and thankfulness. Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family.

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What a wonderful tradition. I hope you do!

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A beautiful story about your wonderful mother and a caring stepbrother. No matter our age, we all need a "Bear" to hang onto and hug when we are struggling with life's obstacles. I'm sending you prayers for continued good health. Thank you for this story.

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He made need more stuffing before I am done with him.

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A bear to bear-hug in times of need.. utter perfection! This is a beautiful story of loss & love. Sorry for the loss of Alexandra #1, and hoping your life is extended to many, many years - to love your Alexandra!

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Thank you!

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What a testimony and tribute to thoughtfulness and kindness from your mom to David and then to you. The beautiful thing too is in the piece of your mother, hand made, that you get to hold now after all this time.

I have an afghan my sweet aunt made, and I love thinking of her as I sit under it. ❤️

Thanks for sharing this.

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How lovely to be able to wrap up in her afghan.

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So full… so touching… so grateful! What an extraordinary woman your mother was and what an extraordinary writer you are! Thanks for sharing the Love… we all need a bear hug sometime! Happy Thanksgiving!

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Bear hugs all around ♥️

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I love this so much, it found all the right spots in my heart. What a sweet story. ♥️

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What a beautifully written story- I, too, wish you continued health.

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Thank you.

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Gorgeous story of love and generosity - your mother's, your stepbrother's and your own. Wishing you continued health.

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Thank you for reading.

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Your mother's clear-sighted support of David and of you is so heartening. I'm so sorry you couldn't share your pregnancy and motherhood with your mother. I also lost my mother at that age and have particularly felt her loss in her not knowing my children (and them not having a grandmother, and me not having that kind of motherly support). I like the sound of David, too!

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And I wish you continued good health and loving connections.

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Thank you.

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Generosity across time. A story a so needed to read today. Thank you.

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Well, there it is. My Thanksgiving morning cry. Thank you for this beautiful story bursting with so much humanity I already feel full before my holiday meal.

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Omg! This is so much love to take in in a world full of hatred! Thank god for Alexandras (and Davids)!

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We have to keep writing about love, no?

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Yes. Thank you for choosing so!

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Just love this! I make puppets for similar occasions. Bears are always a favorite. Best wishes for good health and a healthy future.

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Beautiful tribute to your mother and bonus brother as well as a bittersweet chronicling of your own health journey. Wishing you all good things for a happy, healthy life.

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Thank you Michelle.

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Just lovely.

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Oh dear, I'm going to cry (again!). Thank you for sharing this. Your story is so beautiful and sweet, just like your mom was and I imagine you are as well. The bear is a wonderful gift that I hope will help you as you wait for some good news and you are cancer-free. I wish you the best. 🥲🙏❤️‍🩹

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