Dear Friends and Family,
As most of you know, Mom died peacefully on December 8, 2023, from COPD complications. She had just turned 84 on November 11 and spent the last year of her life in a nursing home. Although she wasn't excited about living at Park Manor, she more than once told me she felt safe there and didn't want to live elsewhere. Mom entered hospice in October. Just four days before her passing, she and I laughed and played Skip-Bo together. She was not fearful of dying; she was ready and had accepted with dignity that her fate was near.Mom is predeceased by her eldest son, Craig Young. Losing Craig in October of 2021 was the turning point at which her health began to significantly decline. She is survived by her son, Matthew Rider, and daughter, Carajean Archer; daughter-in-law, Amy Rider; son-in-law, Branch Archer; her grandchildren, Cameron and Hannah Young, Travis and Kelly Rider, Audrey Bohorquez, Ashlyn Frederiksen, and Tanner Archer; great-grandson, Phoenix Bohorquez; grandson-in-laws Erick Bohorquez and Erik Frederiksen.
Due to Mom's savvy computer skills and love of writing, she compiled, with the help of many others, The Ballinger High School Class of 1957, 50th Class Reunion handbook. She was very proud of this accomplishment and she kept it at her bedside until her passing. This handbook inspired her blog, which she continued for many years. It was her creative outlet and connection to the outside world. Mom was a journalist at heart, and because of her intellect and being so well-read, her topics were diverse, educational, humorous, and would often make one ponder. Over the years, she would email me her latest entries, and I would be challenged to find the time to read them as thoroughly as I should have. She would always ask, "Have you read my recent blog?" to which I would always say, "Yes!"... even though I may have skipped a few. Now, her blog is a gift, and I'm grateful I can continue to read it and feel her presence.
Mom lived in many places during her lifetime. Because of her outgoing and spirited nature, she became a loving and loyal friend to many. She enjoyed sharing with me the handwritten letters and emails she would receive from all over the country. I fondly remember hearing her tell stories about her life's adventures with friends and family. Even later in life, she continued to make new friends with her neighbors and in the nursing home.
To know Mom is to know that she was very proud of her family. During her life's most difficult times, she would comment on how being a mother made her life worthwhile and the best thing she ever did. I was embarrassed by her family's "bragging" entries. However, I can collectively state that we all felt very loved by Mom, and she would fight tooth and nail for our well-being. She was a fighter and was always there for us.
Mom was a caring, compassionate, and empathetic person. She passed, being most concerned about world peace, the future of our planet, and the people that govern it. Her dying wish was that all her children and grandchildren vote, defend our democracy, and be respectful of our environment.
In many ways, Mom inspired me to become the best mother I can be. I am comforted in knowing her values, and moral character will continue to live on through my children and their children.
I will leave it with a quote from Richard Bach, Illusions, that she posted in the handbook.
"Don't be dismayed at good-byes. A farewell is necessary before you can meet again. And meeting again, after moments or lifetimes, is certain for those who are friends."
I welcome any comments, pictures, or memories you would like to share about Mom on her blog.
Wishing you all the best,
Carajean
