The most amazing, wonderful, sweet, loving and generous woman I’ve ever known is gone and I am heartbroken beyond imagining. Mom passed away on Sunday, July 14, 2019 while my father, my daughter and I held her hands and told her how much she was loved.
I am grateful that she is no longer in pain or suffering in any way, but devastated for my family and all those she loved and cared for. The loss is immeasurable and our sadness is overwhelming.
My regular readers and puzzle friends know how much she meant to me, and how much fun mom and I had puzzling together. She was my black belt thrift store shopper who helped supply us both with the jigsaw puzzles we loved so much, and loved assembling together. I haven’t touched a puzzle piece in almost 2 months, but when I finally do settle back into the normal routine of life, jigsaw puzzles will be tinged with sadness for me – we shared such a love for them that they will always remind me of her and the time we spent over jigsaw puzzles talking, laughing, teasing, cussing, and enjoying being together.
Looking back now, I am so blessed to have given her the Mystery Puzzle Box last Christmas – it allowed us to spend even more time together than we normally did this year – and I will cherish every moment we had. We spent hours and hours over that puzzle enjoying each other’s company, talking about everything and nothing, and having an awesome time; it turns out that even though the Christmas present was for her, what I also gave myself was extra time with mom in the last few months of her life. I am unbelievably grateful we shared those moments together.
In addition, this blog is also like a diary of our puzzle adventures together, and I am able to go back and read through old posts and see the puzzles we assembled and how much fun we were having. How awesome it is to have this record of those times we shared. 💕
I will get back to puzzling, posting, and reviewing in the near future, including a post about our last puzzle together. For the moment though, I am mourning my mother, my children’s favorite grandmother, my best friend, and the most important member of my puzzle posse. I love you to puzzle pieces mom, and my heart will never be put back together completely – a large piece is now missing.
My Jigsaw Journal 
Oh darling, so so sorry xxx
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I am so very sorry for your loss. ❤️
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So sad to hear about your Mother. Am glad you had the time together with her especially at the end.
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I’ve been a long timer lurker and I am so very sorry for your loss. You are blessed that you had such a healthy, loving relationship with you mom — that isn’t always the case for every mother-daughter relationship.
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So beautifully written Stacey. Thank you for sharing your beautiful mother with us all. I cant speak for every one of your readers, but I am sure a lot feel the same as I in that it felt like we knew her too. All your many stories of times you two spent together laughing and puzzling. It was such a beautiful relationship you shared with us, and I am heartbroken for you, your family, and all the many people whose lives she touched…including mine, indirectly.
I know your mom is already at a new puzzle table in heaven with your grandmother….and I bet she is telling her about all the puzzles you did and the new curse words you and she invented over the last few years. And as soon as you are back to your own puzzle table, she will be looking over your shoulder and telling you, “Stacey…that little bugger doesnt go there, it goes over there on the far left…it is sooo obvious!” 🙂
My deepest condolences my friend!
Penny
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Oh Stacey, I am so very sorry for your loss. What a great gift you got to enjoy with her, I know you will always cherish those memories.
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I’m so sorry for your loss. What a lovely tribute to your mother this post is.
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I, too, am a lurker and am so sorry you’ve lost a very important member of your family. My heart goes out to you during this difficult transition. Thank you for sharing the eloquent tribute to your mom. Loved ones lost are never forgotten, they live forever in our hearts.
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Love, Hugs, Peace and the Belief
that in Silence Hearts Can Feel Each
Other more than ever.
Blessings to everyone.
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What a loving tribute to your mother Stacey.
I’m sure your blog and that Mystery Puzzle Box will bring back lots of wonderful memories of the times spent puzzling together.
My condolences to you and your family at this difficult time.
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Stacey, I can’t say how sorry I am for the loss of your Mom and best friend.
I’ve loved this blog and always laughed at your stories about you and Mom at the puzzle board. The wonderful relationship you and she had was truly special. We were privileged to share in it.
Love, Ellen
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