AAU Header 2024
Renee M. Love
 

In Memory of Renee M. Love
August 28, 1945 – August 3, 2007

"If you ask me what I came to do in this world... I will answer you; I am here to live out loud." (Emile Zola)

Renée was diagnosed on June 6, 2006, and died almost 14 months later. I never heard her once complain about what she had to go through in order to fight what she called the "monsters" (GBM). She wanted to do whatever it would take to survive, or live as long as possible... to be with me, her daughter, Becky, with her beloved granddaughter, Chloé (her "soulmate"), with her adorable grandson, Roch, and with all those whom she loved so dearly. She truly loved life!

She was beautiful, brilliant, inspiring... with more energy than anyone I've ever known. I am so proud of her and all her accomplishments. People used to ask me what it was like having her for a mother. THE BEST! She never really grasped what everyone saw in her. But we all knew that she was someone truly special and that we were blessed to be part of her wonderful life. It's impossible to estimate or comprehend the loss of her in my life and the lives of all those she touched.

My mom, my best friend, my mentor, the "Mummum" of my two babies, and the love of my life. Now she is my angel. My children call her "Mummum Angel" when they talk to her, sending her kisses and hugs every night when they go to bed. I miss her every day. I hope she can hear my voice, our voices, and know that we love her and that she is in our hearts always. One day when she was scared, she asked me, "Please keep me alive for them (her grandchildren)." I promised her that I would, and I am.

I once sent her an email and said "I love you, mommy."
She wrote back, "Now THAT is very cool. I love, adore, worship, respect, admire, imitate, honor, and in every way, hold you in my heart forever.

Love,
Your mommy"

You see, I had the best mom in the whole world. I hope she is happy... but I know she misses me as much as I miss her.

You and I
Happy is the moment, when we sit together,
With two forms, two faces, yet one soul,
you and I.
The flowers will bloom forever,
The birds will sing their eternal song.
The moment we enter the garden,
you and I.
The stars of heaven will come to watch us,
And we will show them
the light of the full moon—
you and I.
No more thought of "you" and "I."
Just the bliss of union—
Joyous, alive, free of care, you and I.
All the bright-winged birds of heaven
Will swoop down to drink of our sweet water—
The tears of our laughter, you and I.
What a miracle of fate, us sitting here.
Even at the opposite ends of the earth
We would still be together, you and I.
We have one form in this world,
another in the next.
To us belongs an eternal heaven,
the endless delight of you and I.

(by RUMI, Persian, 1207-1273)

 

All active news articles