My mother-in-law was tall and elegant.  She was a compassionate and warm woman—generous in many ways.  She loved the arts:  attended the theatre, the opera, the symphony, played the piano, gardened, enjoyed bridge and lunching with friends.   Because of her nurturing personality, I saw her more as my mother.  It felt sudden when we lost her—she passed two months after being diagnosed with Cancer.

I like this dress—designed by Roberto Capucci.   I added the cut-out tabs.  The dress is a happy "dance with me" dress, full of fun, definitely content with life, and the fanned rainbow of color reminds me of what a perfect angel would wear.   This is for you, Elizabeth.

The Visit

       for Elizabeth

We sat on your sun porch to see across the park, your breathing labored. After I combed your soft, thin blond hair, I closed the curtains. You didn’t want the neighbors next door looking in.  Later, we walked back to your garden to sit in the warm sun and I held your small tank of oxygen on my lap. Bob and Brady stopped by and you said, why did they come, I don’t want to see anyone. You reached for my hand. I didn’t mean you dear; I always want to see you. Before I left, I kissed you for the first/last time. When the call comes, almost two weeks later, Tom rushes to be with you.  It’s that early morning, as I lay in bed, the radio switches on and I listen to hear that Venus, after 122 years, begins her eclipse of the Sun.