Oh, gwendee, that’s too much tragedy for a decade, let alone a year. I am so sorry.
Oh, no one deserves two losses in such a short time. I am so sorry.
I’m sorry for your loss, gwendee. 
Condolences.
Sorry to hear of both your losses.
I hope it is a comfort to know your description painted a vivid picture in my mind of your mom. Regardless of whether that picture is correct, to be able to paint it so well with so few words is an outstanding tribute to her, and to you.
You have my sympathy. Losing your mother hurts in a unique way, no matter whether it was expected or not, and it’s especially hard during the holidays. I hope you and your sister can support each other.
That’s really really awful. HUGS & prayers
Sorry for your losses, gwendee
Very sorry to hear this. It’s so unfair that you have to deal with these two big losses so close together. If you feel like you might like some extra support with all this coming down on you at once, you might want to try contacting local hospice organizations to ask if they run grief support groups. Even if they don’t run a group, they will probably have good advice about where to get support.
I lost my mom in 2009, so I have an idea of how much it hurts to lose a mom. As time goes on, I have found that the painful moments have become less frequent and the good memories become stronger. I hope that in time you find the same is true for you. It also helps me to think that I am glad that I had the chance to know such a good person at all, rather than feeling bad about not getting as much time with her as I wanted. I hope that as time goes on you can find solace in the good memories of your husband and mom.
I’m so, so sorry, gwendee. Gentle hugs.
My deepest sympathies.
Both of my parents died of a heart attack - on the very same day.
Losing both your husband and your mother in such a short time period is very hard to handle, but please take care of yourself and try to get out and be with friends and family.
Thank you all so much. I can’t tell you how much it helps.
After I posted I realized I left out the part that would have been the most important to her. She was a fantastic grandmother. My son is her only grandchild, and from the moment he was born became the center of her universe. From the time he was two until he was seven we lived near enough to her that she saw him quite a bit, helping me with daycare pick ups, watching him most Saturdays when I worked, and babysitting whenever it was necessary (often suggesting reasons for it to be necessary).
After we moved they had a standing appointment for a weekly phone call. In recent cell phone years she texted him a riddle every day.
When my son was six my mom bought herself a new car. Though it wasn’t her first brand new car it was the first time she went to the dealer and selected the options and picked the color and everything. It was a 2003 Mini Cooper. She was really happy with that car. She told my son that if it was still road worthy she would give it to him when he was old enough to drive.
He got his permit this year, and true to her word she gave him the car. (She’d have waited until he had his full license but it was really time for her switch to driving a car with an automatic transmission.) So he gets to have the coolest car among his classmates, and a nicer car than his mom. When we picked it up he had me take a picture of him standing up through the sunroof (one of the options for which she waited patiently). He posted it online with the caption “Yes, it’s mine.” One of his friends quickly responded “How?!?!?!” and he wrote back, “Step 1) Be the only grandchild.”
He spent time with her every summer. He has his own room in her house. It’s not a guest room that he uses, it’s his room. They have a lot of traditions. I was older than he is by about four years when I suffered my first big loss. My heart hurts for him in a different way than it hurts for my own loss.
((gwendee))
I thoroughly commend you. I dealt with my aunt’s estate, and she did nothing to prepare, and my late 80s father has done very little too, and now he’s senile. People need to downsize, rationalise, and set everything in place well before the time they are unable to.
Condolence from India, Gwendee.
From whatever little the life has taught me so far -time is the greatest healer. Will be praying to god to give you courage in these testing times.
I was the only grandchild and my grandfather died when I was a freshman in college so I have a faint understanding of how your son is feeling. I know this is a hard time for you and for him. I also lost my mom at Christmas several years ago, and I know you will have a different feeling about the holidays now. I’m glad your mom was organized (as was mine) as that makes it possible to concentrate on grieving instead of calling banks and so forth. As someone said earlier, be kind to yourself. I hope that 2014 will be kinder to you.
I am so sorry, gwendee; my condolences to you and your son.
Good luck. I am sorry for both your losses.
I’m so very, very sorry - you’re in my thoughts, gwendee.
It sounds like she was a wonderful person and brought a lot of light to your lives. I’m so sorry that she’s gone, and that you’re hurting.
It’s been a rough year for you! I hope that 2014 brings you peace and comfort, and a new beginning.