MORTALITY: A life well lived

Perhaps you've noticed that Tilda's column has been a little, well, thin for the past month. There's a good reason for that: instead of going to concerts, hanging out with friends and generally getting out and about, I spent the past month caring for my mother after she was diagnosed with an aggressive form of leukemia.
Thanks to the amazing people at Heartland Hospice, my mother got to spend some true quality time with her family and died peacefully at home, in her own bed. She was proud of the fact that she far outlived the original prognosis of "days" that sent my brother and me dashing to the airport on July 21 to catch the next flight to her condo in Florida. My brother drove her back to Kennett Square, a two-day road trip, and he, my sister, and I pulled together so that one of us was there with her 24/7.
I bought a new computer so I could set up shop and do my editing over at my mother's house ("I hope you're getting your work done," she'd say about five times a day, worried that she was being a burden). My kind friends rallied round to take exceptional care of my animals back home, even texting me photos. My wonderful neighbors made sure the mail, packages and newspapers didn't pile up too much.
And the Young Relative totally stepped up to the plate, volunteering to prepare his grandmother's lunch every day and happily doing chores around the house. He would report in after his shift was over, telling us how much soup she had eaten and whether she'd been strong enough to get outside for a few steps. He showed a natural compassion, creativity, strength and poise; after this, I would not be surprised if he goes on to become a medical professional (after a stellar college track career, of course).
Mother was bound and determined to get some legal paperwork taken care of, and Peter Temple and his staff bent over backwards to complete it as quickly as possible.
Matt Grieco and his team at the funeral home were compassionate and efficient and made things as easy as they could throughout the whole process; special thanks to Martha and Maribeth.
The flowers, cards and kind messages we've received have been a wonderful source of support.
An optimist to the end, my mother insisted that we focus on all of our happy family memories rather than to feel deep sadness at her loss.
I'll let you know how that goes.

WILLOWDALE: Tilda is easily swayed

Just put an "S" next to my name -- S for Sucker, that is. I felt so guilty every time I pushed the "No Loyalty" button at the Landhope Farms cash register that I finally signed up for their loyalty card, though I'll probably never use it.
Whoever came up with that phrasing has a profound understanding of the human mind. Really, who wants to keep declaring, with every sub, milk, soda, coffee or ice cream purchase, that they are not loyal to such a key institution in Unionville life?