Oct 18

Written by: Mark Carboni
10/18/2009 7:05 AM

It has been a long time since I have dealt with death of a close person in many years. Yesterday, I began to remember those emotions all over again.

My dear friends, sisters Jennifer and Barb, who I travel with to Nashville every summer, are dealing with this first hand as their mother passed away. I was very fortunate to be "adopted" into the family many years ago. I have spent many Easters and Thanksgivings with the entire family. I have shared birthdays and other festive moments as the "other brother" in the family.

I did spend time with "Mugga" in ICU this past week and it was good to say the words that are sometimes regretfully never spoken. It was like losing a family member and today I morn, but will celebrate her life and all her great accomplishments - the raising of three wonderful children and dozens of grand and great grandchildren. Her exciting television career, stage of plays and musical and the joy she brought as she upped the bar for my cooking - as she loved her food without spice, without salt and without much variation of the way it comes off the grocery shelf. I always made sure she had the first plate of food, and I would carry it to her spot at the table. She was royalty then and I am certain is royalty now!

So, I raise my glass to cheer her 88 years of success in this world and wish her family strength to move beyond these moments of tears and rejoice.

PS - Say 'HI" to Karen Carpenter for me.

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