The passing of a star.....

Then last week or two has been a blur.
My Mom developing severe infection, fever, having to get oxygen with- now emphysema. So serious. Her fragile condition and the realities are very hard, it is good to just sit with her, or give her some soft food to try.  Just sit and take in her life. Our life. The meaning of life. And then....something you cannot imagine comes, in our life always in spring..the time of these deep losses.
Today we learned of the passing of a mentor, friend, Jack's former boss at Green school-Deloris Carn. Her place in all our lives -can't be spoken to adequately. For us this was a complete shock. My mother, on hearing, stated, well-I'll love to see her again. I looked up and thought I would just cry.
Which made me stop and rest my head awhile.  
Mrs. Carn definitely mentored my husband and was an angel to my family-an educational leader in the Oxnard Plain. Heaven just got someone who stood up to desegregate schools as a child, bravely, and worked her life to provide the best in public education. My husband found out today- and we are still, well, feeling like we lost more than we can express. (Not to mention her landmark being at Florida A and M as one of the first two African American graduate students-while her husband was a star there in football going on to play for the Buffalo Bills-But I always remember Bernard for our mutual love of Al Jarreau. Oh he was a good man...And thank goodness we got them tickets to see him-I treasure that memory). Besides all she did for Jack-I will always remember her coming to my classroom to read to my students when my own children were young. Always came on Valentine's day. My 1st graders thought she was a queen-and actually said that to me years ago. The way they pronounced that-it was just so darling. Best teacher I ever saw. Truly.
She held them for two hours! 
Her advise to me-you follow your husband, he leads- and you are there as his right arm. Gosh I'm so sad....there is so much I could share. How she came to Hathaway, her stories, how she got her job as Principal while volunteering at Hathaway. How she worked in Pasadena. Oh...I have a broken heart a bit. Thank you Mizz Carn which is how Jack always called her. And we will try to give to others as you gave to us. With the beauty you brought to our lives.