Connie Brouwer 1921 — 2009
Kurt Brouwer November 3rd, 2009
Connie Brouwer 1921 — 2009
My Mom died last week. She was 88. I suppose I’m very lucky to have had her so long. Don’t feel lucky though.
She was not feeling well, so my sisters checked her into the hospital. Mom cracked a joke about the handsome doctor who checked on her. Twenty minutes later she slipped away with her daughters holding her hands.
Here she is near the water where she was happiest.
I have lots of great stories about my Mom, but I’ll hold those for some other time. One story is worth recounting though.
My Mom and my wife and I were leaving a concert in San Francisco’s Tenderloin district. The Tenderloin is SF’s ‘red light’ district. It’s generally fine, but not always. I was walking ahead with a few people and my Mom and wife were with another group slightly behind us. I turned back to look and saw my Mom with surrounded by three guys. That didn’t look good, so I went back. The three guys ran off and I asked my wife what happened.
She told me the guys pulled a knife and demanded the camera my Mom was carrying. She grasped the camera tighter, looked at them directly and said, “That’s my son’s camera.” I told her she could have just given them the camera because I would rather have my Mom than the dang camera. She looked at me as though I was crazy. She was holding something of mine and no knife-wielding thug could intimidate her.
She was made of sterner stuff than that.
I miss my Mom
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Sorry for your loss. Regardless of how old they are, no one wants to lose a parent. All you can do is remember the good times, and be thankful that you had those memories.
Kurt,
My condolences. My siblings and I just marked the 1 year anniversary of my mothers death at age 85. They were strong women, those depression era gals. Would that more of our current leaders could show such strength.
Kurt,
So sorry to hear of your loss — your Mother sounds like an exceptional person.
My sympathies to your entire family,
Tim Manni
Kurt,
I will be keeping you in my prayers through this difficult time
Kurt, your message posted here clearly reflects your love for your mother. I have no doubt you have many more wonderful stories to relate. She sounds like she was a strong woman. I hope the memories you have of her will help you through this difficult time and comfort you in the years to come.
I lost my Mom in February 2007 when she was 81. Fortunately for me I had some warning as she entered the ICU in September of the previous year. I visited her almost every day during her remaining months in the ICU, step down unit, rehab unit and the nursing home, which was important in my case, as we had not gotten along for years after my father’s passing in 2001. My father used to serve as a kind of buffer between her and my brother and me.
My mother’s tongue was known for “ringing like a kirk bell” as they say in her native Scotland. I still remember visiting her after they removed the tracheotomy tube. You could hear her pent up voice reverberating all through the hospital corridors.
I sympathize with your loss.
Thank you - one and all - for your kind comments and prayers. I really appreciate them.
Now, I am just sitting in the airport watching planes.
Waiting for my flight home from my Mom’s funeral.
Regularly-scheduled programming should resume on Monday.
Kurt
Kurt - I know your loss, as my Mom passed in the Spring. Your Mom sounds wonderful, as most of the ’50’s moms were, pretty involved yet easy with their kids.
Thanks Dell. I’m very sorry to hear about your Mom too. We know it’s coming, but it still is hard to take. Hope to see you one of these days.