My mom - a DU member since 2002 - has passed away

[ClusterFreak]

Last edited Tue Sep 24, 2013, 11:08 AM - Edit history (3)

**Admins, please forgive me if this post is not in the appropriate forum or group, and feel free to move it to the correct one if necessary**
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I never thought I would post this kind of information in this manner, in fact this is a spur of the moment thing and hopefully for me it will be an act of ongoing catharsis. My dear mother Gloria - who went by the DU screen name "glarius" - passed away this summer. Like many seniors her age, 83, she had been beset by an increasing number of health issues in recent years. Unfortunately she spent most of the first half of this year in hospital, and succumbed to complications from congestive heart failure and atrial fibrillation in June.

For the first probably 8 or 9 years of her DU membership my mom "glarius" (I'll call her that for the rest of this post, it seems appropriate ) was very active, however when her health began to decline her participation here began to dwindle as well. Still, over about a decade of DU membership, she racked up a very respectable post count of just shy of 8000.

My mom "glarius" never shied away from a debate, or from expressing her opinion, on both Canadian and American politics. A proud Canadian like me, she was a mainstay for a long time in the Canada forum. Mom could be argumentative, but I don't think ever confrontational. Above all else, she came to DU to enjoy spirited and informed discussion - mostly, but not limited to, political issues - with like-minded folks. And she always kept her sense of humour about her. No argument was that important. And most people on DU got, and still seem to, get that. And that's what kept her (and I, who joined at her urging in 2005) coming back for so many years. What I found most endearing about her posts - as an admittedly biased admirer of them no surprise - was how she expressed her views on American politics while being ever mindful of the fact that she was Canadian, and hoped she wasn't offending her American fellow DU'ers by speaking her mind when talking about U.S. political issues. My mom always worried that her friends south of the border would think she was telling them how to run their country!

My mom "glarius" made her last post here in January of 2012, and for those who may remember her - and for those who do not - I would like to share with you the last thread she started which includes the last post she ever made. I think it illustrates her feisty opinionated nature, as well as that endearing quality I felt she had, where she just hoped she hadn't offended anyone or spoken out of turn:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/1002186392

I miss my mom every day, I miss her because she was my wonderful mother, but also because she was my friend. We really and truly enjoyed each other's company. I am glad to have been able to share at least a little bit of her with all of you.

Sincerely,
Patrick

(aka "ClusterFreak", and formerly known as "Chimpys_Last_Stand&quot

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ADDED TUES. MORNING 24/09/13...

To everyone who responded and continues to respond to my post... Thank you all so much for your wonderful, kind and supportive comments. I am truly overwhelmed. This is a place with thousands and thousands of members, and to know that my mom is remembered and made an impact on so many here, simply leaves me speechless and filled with every kind of positive emotion you can imagine. It's especially gratifying since she hasn't had an active presence here in some time. Your comments and remembrances help me in my healing more than you know. Their greatest gift is that they have had a way of bringing my mom back into the present, if even only in a spiritual sense. I am extremely grateful for that, thank you.

Pat

p.s. (added @11am... I almost forgot this... my sincerest condolences to those of you who recently suffered loss, and especially for reminding me that those we love who pass never truly leave us as long as they continue to live on in our hearts)