"Hold your mother tenderly..."

Earlier this week, Jack and I attended the wake/services for the mother of our good friend, Carol. I met Carol when her oldest daughter, Jenny, was in 3 year old preschool with Wayne. Carol and her husband, Bill, have become very good friends over the years. The service for Carol's mother, held at Christ the King Parish, was simply beautiful and uplifting. On the cover of the program, there was this quote:
"Hold your mother tenderly for the world will seem a strange and different place when she is gone."
I loved it.
So simple and so true.
As we were waiting to pay our respects, we suddenly realized that there, standing in directly in front of us, was Mayor Daley! I was surprised that he didn't ask for "cuts", instead stood patiently waiting his turn, his hat in his hands. A few people who knew him came up to say hello and he was very gracious. Mayor Daley and his family have a summer home right next door to Carol's family (note: Carol and Bill just bought this house; the Birthday Club is thrilled because that is where we have had our winter overnight getaways for the past 18 years or so!) and so he has known Carol's family for years. For the mass, Mayor Daley sat in the back with Maggie, who came in right before the mass started. It was sweet to see them together.
It was such a meaningful evening to me, all about faith, family and love.