Margaret Larsen

With love and gratitude to our Mom, until we meet again. Our mom followed the light toward eternal life shortly before noon on July 31, 2017. Throughout her life she was surrounded by so much love, because she gave so much love. Her children were fortunate enough to leave nothing unsaid along the way, and we all had the chance to reiterate a lifetimes worth of loving and gratitude to her during her final days. She passed peacefully while listening to Ave Maria and being held by her children. We know she was greeted with open arms by her beloved husband Robert, and son Richard and reunited with her mother and father in addition to so many other relatives and friends that she loved dearly who passed before her. Despite her long illness and the opportunities that came with it to say goodbye, she wasn’t ever ready to have that conversation with us… it was simply too hard for her. After having opened her eyes to really see all of us surrounding her with love, she closed them again and as the days slowly passed we took turns holding her hand as she peacefully drifted away in her sleep. We knew deep down she chose to leave this way because she loved us so much that she couldn’t bare a goodbye. We understand when love runs so deep how daunting a task that can be. It is comforting to know that we had someone in our lives that had an impossible time saying goodbye to us, and that we in turn had such a hard time saying goodbye to. There really are no words to adequately describe a mother’s love; some say it’s deeper than the deepest depth, and others say it stronger than the strongest bond. We believe that a mother's love sometimes exceeds what her children can actually comprehend at the time it is being so freely given. Sometimes it’s not until years later that it’s fully understood and appreciated. That's how deep our mother’s love was. So thank you for all of the love Mom, and for being here to share in our families most joyous moments as well as our deepest hours of despair. It never went unnoticed that the origin of your love for us always came directly from your heart. You raised four children, all of whom grew up to be are very different individuals, and yet we never grew apart. You were the glue Mom, you instilled a common thread of compassion, understanding and respect for each other’s differences and most of all a strong sense of family in all of us. We in turn took this life lesson and passed it along to our own families. That’s your life’s legacy Mom, well done. Throughout our life’s journey together, you have always had a sixth sense knowing exactly when to ask each of us if we were doing okay. We’d often tell you we were fine yet instinctively you knew when to look us in the eyes and give us a hug after seeing that we really weren’t. Today and for the coming weeks and months, we could all use a few of those hugs Mom. While we are going to miss them, knowing that you’ll be watching over us and that we can still talk to you and you will still be there to listen will be our source of comfort. Please don’t worry about us Mom; we’ll eventually be okay because we will continue to be there for each other, just as you taught us to be. Like the seasons of our lives, every passing comes with a new beginning. Mom, may your new beginning be filled with the spectacular beauty of spring. May you rise to once again enjoy youth, happiness, love and ultimately eternal peace. As with our father and brother, you will continue to live on in us as you have shaped the people we have all become. While a part of us has left with you on your new journey, a part of you remains behind with all of us. Before leaving, you already knew that you’d be remembered with each passing day and kept close in our hearts, and for that we are very grateful. We will continue to love you for all eternity Mom. I guess your final lesson to us was that when true love lives in our hearts there really is no need to say goodbye. Let us instead say so long for now dear Mom, until we meet again.

Margaret Larsen

May 25, 1933 - July 31, 2017