Mary Coelho
October 8, 1942 – June 27, 2022
Yesterday was a sad day. A day as children we know will come to us sometime in our life. The day one of our parents leaves us forever. Yesterday was that day for me.
I knew this woman for 58 of her 79 years. Some of these years I obviously have no recollection of simply because I was a baby or to young for memories.
Not all memories are created equal however. The good, the bad and the ugly memories all have room in my brain although I try to focus on the good and push away the bad or ugly with a sigh and a shrug.
I believe in my heart she was the best Mom she was capable of and that she truly loved me and my brothers.
As the years passed and the Alzheimer’s disease took more memories and abilities away from her our roles shifted.
Although she hated “shower day” she always thanked me afterward. When I would play some of her favorite music she always lit up and would tap her foot and try to sing along. She always remembered Barbara Streisand. Frank Sinatra would always make her smile and she would talk about how much her dad liked him. Music was a way to reach her “good” memories.
In her final days music was still being played to her and I hope it helped ease her transition. I Whispered in her ear that I loved her and thanked her for being my mom. Although I was not sure that she could understand what I was saying, I was hopeful that she could.
Rest in peace Mom. You will be missed.