Saying Goodbye
My 81 year old sweet mother, Jeannie Sparks, passed away this week and I wanted to take a moment to reflect on just how amazing she was. She started life when cars were still novelties and yet was the generation that powered the moon shot.
During the depression, she lived in a cabin where my grandfather fed his children by trapping fox in the Massachusetts backwoods and selling their pelts. Throughout her life, my mother took a practical “whatever it takes” attitude toward any challenge she faced, even when she had to stay up hours on end teaching her dense son to read.
Mom lived through the greatest technological revolution in history (from the radio to the internet) and nothing phased her. Even as she laid in intensive care, she smiled as she flipped through family pictures on the iPad. My mother was an amazing woman who taught me, not by lectures and scoldings, but instead by example and she will always live in my heart.
David Sparks
Thank you everyone for the kind comments and e-mails. I nearly didn’t make this post but now am so pleased I did. You can not know how much the outpouring of love and support means to me.
D
Reader Comments (28)
My Condolences
Sorry to hear about your loss. May her soul rest in eternal peace. She had a full life and saw many changes in this world.
Her love lives on in your memory.....
I'm so sorry about your loss, but what a loving and touching tribute you have made in her honor today. Just remember, that she will never truly be gone from you. She'll be with you every day as long as you remember what she taught you . . . that's her legacy.
My condolences. It's always tough to lose a loved one, but it helps to remember that connection. Best to you and your family at this difficult time.
David,
Please accept my condolences. It sounds like your mother was an amazing women. I'm sure, where ever she is, she is looking down and smiling on you. Mothers are like that.
Ron
My Condolences on the Lost of your Mother. Our family will keep you and your in our thoughts and prayers.
My most sincere condolences David.
I'm just a listener/reader from Australia but wanted to express my condolences as well.
David
I know you celebrate her life more than you dwell on her passing.
Best wishes to you and your family.
Roland
My condolences for your loss. While no doubt this is a difficult time, it is great to read what a positive impact your mother has had on your life.
I listened to the latest MPU this weekend and heard the sadness in your voice when you sad you had been spending time in hospital room. My heart goes out to you and your family. I can appreciate your sorrow bit also your gratitude for all the happiness and wisdom she imparted.
Sorry for your loss. Big hug.
David,
You don't know me and I don't know you (beyond your blogs, that is). Just in those three paragraphs your mother sounds like an amazing women, who I'm sure had a story or two to tell having lived through most of the last century. I'm sorry for your loss, although nothing will take away all the times you enjoyed with her, which sound too numerous to ever imagine.
-Chris
I'm really sorry for your loss.
My condolences David. The world is a poorer place without her.
David -from your followers in Scotland, our sympathies.
David: My condolences. Thank you for sharing a little bit about her on this blog.
What a touching story, sorry for your loss, but all good things must come to an end, no matter how much we don't want them to. I love how you mention she took technology in stride and even was using the iPad to look at family photos.
My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
David - the warmth of her smile says it all. I am deeply touched by your blog and offer sincere condolences.
Tom
Dear friend,
Sending you much love and offering my deepest condolences. Thank you for sharing some of you mother's memories with us.
JF
I just joined MacPower Users this year. You guys (you and Katie) were my first Mac Podcast as I am not new to Mac, but new to Power Using. As I look for ways to introduce my Mother (age 74) to the world of computing, I often listen to you guys as my education in bringing the previous generation online. All I can think of is protecting her and her life, and sharing my life with her. I know you loved your mother deeply, and I wish you every comfort in your time of sorrow. Just know, she was a major part in making you who you are and part of that has touched me in what you do in here. My deepest condolences, to you and your family. and thank you for doing this.
David -I think this great lady produced a great guy. I am so very sorry about her passing and your loss
Sorry to hear David. Even though I've never met your mother, the fact that you mention her often in yourself and Katie's podcast, which I wait for eagerly every few weeks, means in some way there's a connection.
All the best.
David......I had met your mother several times through her next door neighbors, Ned and Debbie. Debbie is my cousin. When I visited your mother in her home, she was always so gracious and welcoming. I saw her amazing Christmas Village and the giant Christmas tree. I heard from her about your family traditions of setting up the village and Christmas tree and about what the holidays meant to her and to all of you. She was very proud of her children. Your mother made wonderful memories for her family. You were blessed to have her as your mother.
My sincere condolences to you and the family
Loma George
SPARKS FAMILY:
I AM SO SORRY TO HEAR THE LOSS OF YOUR MOTHER, SHE WILL TRUELY BE MISSED. SHE WAS ALWAYS A GOOD FRIEND AND NEIGHBOR TO MY PARENTS. MY PRAYERS GO OUT TO ALL OF YOU DURING THIS DIFFICULT TIME.
HOPE TO SEE YOU ALL SOMETIME IN THE FUTURE THERE AT THE HOUSE WHEN I AM DOWN TO VISIT.
LOVE AND PRAYERS TO EACH OF YOU, VALERIE