"A Life Well Lived" Perhaps the quality that impressed me most about Mother was her ability to forgive, forget and rationally reframe every situation and interaction into a positive, loving memory. I observed that throughout her life, and for reasons that remain unfathomable to my comprehension; at one time or another (and several times consecutively for many) she pretty much alienated every member of her immediate and extended family as well as most if not all of her friends. And just as incomprehensively I also repeatedly observed; that regardless of the heated, inflamed, and unkind words that were spoken to her in the heat of conflict and despair, mother always found the loving strength and grace of spirit necessary to transform the memories of those transgressions into the fondest memories of love. So blessed was she by this amazing grace that in her last years her heart and memory was always filled with love for others. Times too numerous to mention her ‘unique’ ways of ‘living’ were interrupted, destroyed and/or irrevocably and forcibly redirected by others. Throughout her fascinating life mother was forced-medicated and subjected to many medical, psychological and physical atrocities and inhumanities too numerous and barbaric to mention; often enduring several sequentially in a single year. Thus taken together collectively her life could be seen as a string of tragically horrific sequences. But the reality of her life was that like a gifted artisan she wove love into the wafts and wefts of her life’s tapestry. Stitched together by love’s healing grace she held us all in her heart sanctified by her unfathomable ability to forgive, forget and to simply love! During her final year mother and I spoke at length about everyone she knew. And as I recall she never spoke a single negative word about her beloved family and dear friends. Amazingly mom was a warrior among warriors; because despite her many challenges she mastered the divine ability to forgive, forget, and genuinely love us all. For me our mother was an advanced soul who incarnated to accept the shittiest of possible lifetimes to help all those with whom she came in contact mutually evolve their respective souls. I say mother did a stellar job of it. For a life well lived and in your memory I say: I love you mom. HIP, HIP, Hooray! HIP, HIP, Hooray! HIP, HIP, Hooray! Namaste! Stan