Megon McDonough
"Connecting You with the Soundtrack of Your Life"
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Goodbye, Mom

11/9/2016

20 Comments

 
Picture
Maybe my mom was on my side
Or she was just my ride
It was the turn of the karmic tide – we were one
Then I was born


I’ve carried these bones for far too long
They’ve haunted the words of my every song
Not saying that’s right or that it’s wrong
It made me strong, and I got along



Can we let it go?
Can we say we may never know?
Can it be a mystery?
If not for Freud – then for me

(From “The Karmic Ride,” music and lyrics by Megon McDonough, 2015 ASCAP)
 
I knew when I saw my sister’s name on my phone at 5 a.m. on Oct 30 that it could mean only one thing: Mom had passed.

We’d been waiting. She had been switched from palliative care to hospice care almost four weeks ago, and because she was a fighter, and really wanted to stay at the party, we thought we had more time. Oh yeah, and denial was still holding strong. Even though she was 103!!!

Yep.

But in our defense, this wasn’t the first time it seemed like she was dying. In fact, she’d had a heart attach about a year-and-a-half ago, and it seemed really serious, so my sister Brenna had called the priest for last rights. But the old gal was up the next day eating ice cream and watching baseball. Those must have been some powerful last rights.
 
However, eight months later, she fell and broke her hip. They performed surgery, and afterwards, when she was in rehab, Mom astonished the physical therapist by “taking 16 steps today!” But, truth was, she was done. She was tired and ready to go Home. Thankfully, she got her wish.
 
She was a Big Light, a Force of Nature, frustrating and gloriously wise. She was my first voice teacher and coach. She was brave and beautiful, and in our little town, she was a big draw for actors, artists and theater orphans who came to our house after my Dad died. She was inclusive. In fact, after she was widowed, whenever we would be out as a family, and she saw a woman sitting alone, she would ask her to join us. We kids were of course mortified, but my mom was kind, and she knew what she was doing.  

I sat up in bed in the dark when I answered Bren’s call. We breathed a, “Thank you God,” and hung up. I sat there, cried, and got up, made a cup of coffee, and sat by the kitchen window to think. I saw in my mind a memory I love of my mom. She had just picked me up from Kindergarten in her convertible, and I was in the back seat. As she pulled away from the curb, her hair was blowing in the wind, her face turned up to take in the sun and she was whistling. I remember watching her from that backseat with my heart full of love for this person, and smiling and turning my face toward the sun. And I tried to whistle. It was a great ride.
 
I have so much to be grateful for this season. Mom passing and out of pain, the familiarity of work, as I am on tour with The Four Bitchin’ Babes twice this month. Releasing a holiday CD called Season of Light, which is also the name of my holiday show at The Wilmette Theatre on Dec. 17, being on Rick Kogan’s show on WGN radio on Dec. 4, and more gigs with The Babes in Wisconsin.
 
Thank you to every one of you and for your support. I’m so grateful.
20 Comments
Rick Kubetz
11/9/2016 12:18:18 pm

Meg - So sorry to hear about your mother's passing. You made a great choice when you picked her.

Reply
Linda E. Abronski
11/9/2016 12:20:44 pm

Oh Meg, Steve and I are so very sorry to hear this. I always enjoyed your stories of your Mother's love of life. I hope that this can be as feisty as she always seemed to be. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. Keep breathing my friend. Love, Linda and Steve

Reply
Mary Lee (Kardas) Rogers
11/9/2016 12:21:52 pm

We are sorry for your loss. Your mom was a Classy Lady. My parents, Walter and Isabelle Kardas, certainly enjoyed the company of both your mom and dad.

Reply
Karen Buchanan
11/9/2016 12:56:19 pm

"As gentle
as a snowflake,
may peace come
to your heart"
Japanese proverb

Gently, quietly, and over time may your memories of your Mother build a bridge over the sadness you feel today and connect you with the heart and soul of the one who gave you birth and loved you into who you are today.

My thought and prayers are with you and your family as you say "goodbye" to your Mom.

Reply
Karen Buchanan
11/9/2016 12:56:40 pm

"As gentle
as a snowflake,
may peace come
to your heart"
Japanese proverb

Gently, quietly, and over time may your memories of your Mother build a bridge over the sadness you feel today and connect you with the heart and soul of the one who gave you birth and loved you into who you are today.

My thought and prayers are with you and your family as you say "goodbye" to your Mom.

Reply
Karen Buchanan
11/9/2016 12:57:42 pm

"As gentle
as a snowflake,
may peace come
to your heart"
Japanese proverb

Gently, quietly, and over time may your memories of your Mother build a bridge over the sadness you feel today and connect you with the heart and soul of the one who gave you birth and loved you into who you are today.

My thought and prayers are with you and your family as you say "goodbye" to your Mom.

Reply
Lee Kelley
11/9/2016 01:12:03 pm

I will keep you & your family in my prayers. Always loved hearing the stories about your Mom. At a show in Skokie you mentioned she had hip surgery at 103 years old & I was having replacement knee surgery so it gave me encouragement as I'm a lot younger than her. Thank you.
Lee

Reply
Lee Kelley link
11/9/2016 01:13:44 pm

I will keep you & your family in my prayers. Always loved hearing the stories about your Mom. At a show in Skokie you mentioned she had hip surgery at 103 years old & I was having replacement knee surgery so it gave me encouragement as I'm a lot younger than her. Thank you.
Lee

Reply
Lee Kelley link
11/9/2016 01:14:15 pm

I will keep you & your family in my prayers. Always loved hearing the stories about your Mom. At a show in Skokie you mentioned she had hip surgery at 103 years old & I was having replacement knee surgery so it gave me encouragement as I'm a lot younger than her. Thank you.
Lee

Reply
Lee Kelley link
11/9/2016 01:14:28 pm

I will keep you & your family in my prayers. Always loved hearing the stories about your Mom. At a show in Skokie you mentioned she had hip surgery at 103 years old & I was having replacement knee surgery so it gave me encouragement as I'm a lot younger than her. Thank you.
Lee

Reply
Lee Kelley link
11/9/2016 01:18:26 pm

I will keep you & your family in my prayers. Always loved hearing the stories about your Mom. At a show in Skokie you mentioned she had hip surgery at 103 years old & I was having replacement knee surgery so it gave me encouragement as I'm a lot younger than her. Thank you.
Lee

Reply
Lee Kelley link
11/9/2016 01:19:10 pm

I will keep you & your family in my prayers. Always loved hearing the stories about your Mom. At a show in Skokie you mentioned she had hip surgery at 103 years old & I was having replacement knee surgery so it gave me encouragement as I'm a lot younger than her. Thank you.
Lee

Reply
Dan Cohen
11/9/2016 01:50:46 pm

So many of us can relate to your grief and can attest to time's healing effect. May your pain evolve to a resolve to maintain loving memories of your wonderful mom.

Reply
Joan Hammel link
11/9/2016 02:20:07 pm

Thinking of you at this time. Your mom raised a wonderful daughter. I am sure she was incredibly proud of you.

Reply
Megon McDonough
11/9/2016 08:05:52 pm

many thanks~ I truly appreciate it, Megon

Reply
Pam Dietz Carrico
11/9/2016 06:10:22 pm

Former classmate from Crystal Lake, my heart goes out to you. I feel your pain as well as your relief for mom. We went thru the same this past April. I hope our parents meet in heaven-my mom loved your music, we had your albums back when & since my mom was a music buff & played piano since age 3 she loved you all the more. I hope they can all make music in Heaven!! May God bless your mom!

Reply
Megon link
11/9/2016 08:04:22 pm

Dear Pam, Thank you so much for your wonderful, comment here. I hope they meet too! Sending you healing thoughts too, knowing there is Divine Order in all of it~ Be blessed, Megon

Reply
Debbie Miller Koziarz
11/9/2016 09:10:22 pm

This is sad news, indeed. Thank you so much for sharing this; losing a mom is so so hard. I remember her from the day, and she was charming, beautiful, and talented like her daughters. I know you and Brenna will support each other and give each other strength and solice during this difficult time. My love to both of you and your family.

Reply
Betty Woods Fisher link
11/10/2016 04:51:41 pm

Megan, So sorry to hear of your Mother's death and yet know what a wonderful life she gave all of you. She loved all of you and shared that love with everyone she met. She was my "idol", as a child. So Beautiful, so Graceful and such a wonderful person from within. I went to St. Thomas with Kevin and being good friends all through grade school, was fortunate to live our Freshman year as roommates at Sacred Heart Academy in Springfield. Your Mom drove us and the Hartley girls back and forth many times and what fun we all had on those trips. What a Blessing to have had her in your life. Wishing you and the Family my Sympathy.

Reply
Monica Butler link
1/12/2021 10:34:17 am

I enjoyed reeading this

Reply



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