A Mom Never Says Goodbye

Twenty years ago, Marion’s smile held a beam of welcome as I approached the table.  A small group of us were about to begin the study of A Course In Miracles.

I sensed Marion was a woman of warmth.  I liked her instantly.  I would have been delighted to know that twenty years hence, Marion and I would become Walk Buddies – five days a week.

Throughout that study, Marion confirmed my suspicion that she housed a soul both deep and wide.  During discussions, her spirituality seemed strong, steady and mature.  If there’s a way to be comfortable in the spiritual energy bubble we create for ourselves, Marion sat like a Buddha in the center of hers.

Marion’s husband, David, was an artist and, together, they were parenting a young daughter Cathrine Honour.  At that time, Cat would have been experiencing the thrill and bombardment of primary school years.  I wonder now if Marion suspected the incredible beauty they were raising.

Cat Modelling

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With a perfect hint of Cat’s tomboy streak, this photo came from our local paper, April, 2012: “Cathrine ***, in a photo taken when she was in her 20s. Her father David *** is holding a retrospective art show…with sale proceeds benefiting a scholarship created in her name.”

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Cat was also a soccer star – her team loved her. Is it any wonder with a spirit like this? She went on to study fitness. What fun to be in her class!

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Cat and her ever proud mom, Marion

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In September of 2010, Cat and two friends drove from Vancouver to Seattle to attend a Dave Matthews Concert.  These young adults had not been drinking or drugging.  Though the hour was late, one of the threesome decided to head back to Vancouver after the concert.  Cat was asleep in the back seat.  There was an accident.  Marion  received the call that all parents dread.  Her brilliant daughter was in the hospital.  There wasn’t much hope.  There was severe brain damage.

Marion and David, now divorced, both arrived at Cat’s bedside in Seattle within a few hours.  Hard decisions had to be made – Marion knew that Cat would want to donate her organs.  David agreed.

Cat died on September 6 of 2010. A Celebration of Cat’s life was held on her island home.  It was attended by hundreds of people.  For the family members in the other parts of the world who were not able to attend, a friend kindly set up a Live Cast capacity so all could be connected.

As we arrived at the Celebration on that sunny autumn day, we each received a tiny memento containing a heart, a pearl and a photo.  On the back is written, “Cat, our pearl”:
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The Celebration lasted for hours.  Marion greeted people with grace and quiet dignity the entire time.  I imagined her angels calling in all numbers of support and saying, “Bring on the Love. She will shine for her girl.”

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Thanks to her beauty, her talent, and loving personality, Cat will continue to influence hearts because, phenomenally, she remained sincerely humble.  A friend spotlit this virtue when he commented on this photo on her Face Book site:

Cat never realized 10 was her number!

Posted two days after her death, her friend, George K, wrote about this picture: “This photo is perfect….I’m so sorry Cat. You were so good. You could always make everyone around you feel happier, calmer and warmer, even all the animals around that you loved so much…I’ll always remember you in this way. September 8, 2010 at 7:38pm”.

About six weeks ago, Marion-My-Walk-Buddy and I began putting on our running shoes for a good stomp that conditions body and soul.  We step into another dimension. I learn about Cat – her shenanigans, her successes, her challenges, her love of nature and her incredible character.  I learn about a mother’s unfathomable grief.

Cutting through one of our forests, we share a trail sprinkled with very slippery arbutus leaves.  After having undergone hip surgery, Marion’s determination is a marvel. No wonder Cat accomplished all she did in her short life.

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I learn how the generous spirit of an incredibly beautiful young woman lives on as donors continue to receive from the seven organs Marion and David approved for donation..

I learn how the love of one mother swells with joy when our walks deliver nature’s reminders of Cat’s spirit.  Dragonflies flit about us.  Butterflies splay their markings in bright sunlight.  Deer lay motionless in our presence.  It seems Cat is saying, “See mom? I’m right here with you.”

Cat causes me to look at moths differently.  Like Marion, I usually want them out of the way.  However, the other night, as Marion read a Kingsolver novel that unexpectedly had drawings of dragonflies and moths, one flew in through the open window.  It landed on the book and did its walk-about.  Not just once.  Several times.  Instead of the usual action to get it away, Marion received its presence as Cat’s reminder, “I love you, Mom.  I’m okay.”

The heart and pearl memento from Cat’s Celebration stays on my fridge.  The other day, I listened to a webcast on which a person was channeling information authenticating angels, spirits and guides.  The channeler was saying, “Angels carry messages from the Divine Source.  They are the Speakers.  Let go of expectation.  Stop asking. Just listen.”

At that very moment, I heard a delicate sound in the kitchen.  Instead of turning from my desk to look, I checked the clock.  It was 11:11 a.m.  I knew the source of the sound.  The pearl had fallen off Cat’s memento onto the hard wood flooring.  “Okay, Cat.” I said.  “I know you’re here.  Thanks for accepting me.”

I re-glued the pearl with a tomboy grin.

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Marion has approved this post by sending me an email message that started out, “Beautifully Perfect”.