I watched my mom live gracefully while dying. I sat by her side as she entertained friends who meant so much to her for the last time. I assured her her sickness was no burden to me. I reminder her that she was teaching me how to live with disease and how to come to the end of life still fully alive. She honored me by allowing me to lay at her side and hold her hand as she took her last breath. I whispered in her ear “Go Momma, You are free. We will always be together”. I made sure the window was open so her soul could fly. I held her hand for a long time letting each vein, each finger, her smell etch in my mind forever. The hand I held when I was her little girl was now empty of her soul.I knew I couldn’t hold on forever but I didn’t want to let go.

Sadness born of loss is a difficult pain to suffer. Mine often feels like a huge cold and violent wave that crashes over me pulling me under as I struggle to surface, to breathe. There is no pill to take , no cut to bandage, only time to pass as strength returns to my heart. We always need our Mom’s!! My mother was a fabulous mom and I will misses her and the part of our life that was our journey together until it is my day to die. I send peace and love to everyone who has lost their mom and happiness to evey mother and daughter who have years of lunches and laughter ahead of them. “I love you Mom”

ANSWER: You strike me as a savvy woman since you have already ascertained the most important rule of the game: Keeping your options open. There are definitely some key rules to apply to “sport dating”, aka, casual dating.

1. Keep all the plays and players straight. Who tried to score, who made a pass, who was the tight end ? Sounds obvious but when there are many players it can get confusing. This is where the little black book comes in handy. No harm in keeping a few stats.
2. Play all early rounds in public venues. Coffee shops, bookstores, lunch places, all allow for quick break aways should the play become foul.
3. Restrain from home runs, touchdowns and any full court press too early in the game. Always best to wait until you have significantly narrowed the playing field.
4. Remain a free agent as long as possible. If you just went through a divorce I don’t have to tell you how complicated contract negations can be.
5. Be sure you are playing with updated equipment, after all a couple of decades is a considerable amount of time. Get familiar with on-line dating, update the hair cut and please……loose the granny panties.

You are older and wiser and you will find that as long as you keep it casual “sport dating” is a great way to get back in the game and to re hone your skills. Happy dating!

ANSWER: Family money or “family jewels”? Darlin’ I would rather be caught holding the family jewels any day. Without love you have poverty of the soul and that is the worst fate of all.