This is your song...

"Has anyone ever given anything to you
In your darkest hours
Did you ever give it back
Well, I have
I have given that to you
If it's all I ever do
This is your song"
-Stevie Nicks, Has Anyone Ever Written Anything For You?

On July 28th at Noon, Trish died. That sentence and its intense finality has taken me a long time to write, but I felt like after my last post there was nothing more to do than update you before I could write anything else on this particular blog.

Her last few weeks were not easy ones, but they were ones of strength and love and for that Im immensely happy. She never wavered. She was always Trish. Spunky, talkative, full of life and energy. Fighting all the way, but never in a negative way. Just doing her best to do what she felt she was being called to do. I wish things could have been easier for her in a variety of ways, but ultimately, now that she's moved on to the next life I don't suppose those sorts of things matter either way. Her death was one of dignity and in the end she passed away surrounded by those she loved and who loved her. I think that's the most any of us can ask for.

For Andre and I, her illness and death has been life changing. I think we learned more about ourselves, our relationship and our family this summer than we've learned in a lifetime. For that Im forever grateful to Trish. She helped us see how strong we all could be when we came together with one goal.

In case you're curious...The above picture is of Stevie Nicks. Trish, like many women who grew up in the 70s, was a huge fan and when I was little she would babysit me and we would listen to Fleetwood Mac or Stevie Nicks and sing together as we danced around in circles. Her love of female singer/songwriters is something she passed on to me, her daughters, and her granddaughter. Perhaps the most vivid way we'll remember her is through the songs and artists she loved the most: Stevie, Lucinda Williams, Joan Baez, Carol King, Sarah Mclaughlin, etc...

For you Trish, this is your song. Enjoy the otherside with all the passion that you enjoyed this one and we'll see you soon.

Shannon