Losing a loved one 2

If you’re someone who’s very active in the figure skating community you know all too well that your life revolves around practice in a figure skating rink but it doesn’t just end there. There’s always competitions, ice shows, training, fund raising, skating club activities, synchro team practice and anything that has everything to do with figure skating. All of these things are more than enough to keep you busy as a skater, a parent or even a coach.  Yet somehow in the midst of all your busyness you find a way to make things fit into your schedule.

So what do you do when smack dab in the middle of all the hustle and bustle you experience the loss of a loved one? This is one of the hardest blog post I’ve ever written because that’s exactly what our family is dealing with. On August 9, 2015 just 15 days shy of her 87^th birthday we lost the beautiful life and loving Woman that we’ve known as Mom, Mother-in-law, Grandma and Friend. Losing my Mother-in-law feels very much like we’ve hit a brick wall. Watching my Husband deal with the loss of his Mom and my Kids with the loss of their Grandma is a compounded situation. Although it affects us all in different ways, the impact is still very hard and painful. She was such a sweet and tenderhearted Woman who had a smile for practically everyone she met and we will miss her dearly. I believe the thing I will miss most about my Mother-in-law is her hearty laughter and her contagious smile. The stories she’d tell us of beating my Husband and his brother in a game of hockey on the frozen pond in the back yard of their farm, all while wearing a pair of figure skates. Mom was always full of laughter and smiles, you couldn’t be in her presence more than five minutes before you were also smiling and laughing. I always felt that this was an incredible gift she shared with us and we were so fortunate to partake in her joy and zest for life.

Mom had a passion for baking, gardening, flowers and collecting sea shells. She enjoyed laughing at all the silly jokes my Husband told and she was one of the most generous and selfless individuals I have ever known.  Most importantly, I know that my Mother-in-law had an unwavering love for her three Sons, her beautiful grand children and her entire family.  She was proceeded in death by her beautiful and vibrant 18 year old daughter Karen who loved the Arts and had a true zest for life just like her Mom. Also proceeding her in death was her beloved Husband Kenneth. Prior to his passing they enjoyed almost 60 years of marriage together and we all know that she truly missed both her precious Daughter and Husband.

Although our hearts are beyond sad and our pain is real because we miss her terribly,  I think more than anything my Mother-in-law would want us to keep moving forward, keep pressing on, and keep encouraging each other to be all that we can be.  Most importantly, I believe that she would want her family to keep loving and sharing moments of laughter with one another. Also, when we think of her, I believe she wouldn’t want us to be sad but would encourage us with the truth that she will forever be smiling down on us until we catch up with her. RIP Mom and thank you for being a true Woman of strength and courage. You overcame some of the hardest adversities that life has to offer and you never lost your gift of laughter and love. We will miss you dearly and although you are gone you will never be forgotten.

Lastly, I want to encourage you, especially if you have dealt with a recent loss or still grieving the loss of a loved one. May you also find peace and comfort during your time of recovery.

In Loving Memory of Shirley Ewert