We woke up to an email this morning from brother Bob Page that informed us that their mother Kay had passed away at 3:16 in the afternoon - that was just four hours before we read the email and less than 12 hours ago. We had a good cry as we read the email together. We had been in touch with Cindy, Betty, Bob and Anne's dad Frank over the past three days when we had first heard from Betty of Kay's deteriorating health.
Anne was in the classic double bind - wanting to be by her mom's side and with her family during Kay's final moments and knowing that we were 28 hours of travel time away. They all told Anne that Kay would have wanted her to stay and enjoy her Asian travels. Ironically, Kay loved Asia and had collected many pieces of Asian art. Much of their home had been decorated with art from Asia she had picked up on the numerous trips she and Frank had taken to Asia over their 63 years of blissful marriage together. It was also uncanny that we were heading out this morning and we have just returned from a tour of Angkor Wat, perhaps the most significant and extensive spiritual place in all of Asia. http://wikitravel.org/en/Angkor_Wat# There are over 400 temples (wats) built between the 9th and 15th centuries. These are located on grounds that are over 400 square kilometers. Angkor Wat is the largest of these temples and best known. We are doing that temple tomorrow. But today Anne was able to make an offering to Budda in her mom's name at the Bayon Wat and took great solace as she lit the incense. We shed some more tears as we thought of Kay and the wonderful life she led and thought of how kind and gentle she was- much like the Cambodians. There was not an once of selfishness in this woman of 92 . She would have turned 93 this March 3rd. She will be missed so very very much.
Carved relief on these temples are everywhere. Our guide explained so many of the stories that the carvings depicted. It is all so amazing considering how long ago these were built. The Thom Wat took only 10 years to build. There must have been some incredibly detailed plans done by those architects!
Terrace of the elephants
Thom Wat
Preah Wat
Location:Siem Reap
Man, it must have been tough to leave that Hotel behind Bobby!
ReplyDeleteDear Annie & Bob: It was a picture perfect day to put Mom to rest...a sunny 75 degrees. We had a wonderful funeral service at Holy Redeemer Catholic Church in Palm City, FL. It started with Forrest playing a wonderful trumpet solo. Later a woman with an incredible soprano voice sang Ave Maria(Sung at Mom & Dad's wedding). It was absolutely spectacular. We lamented later that we had not at least audio recorded it. Music and singing have such amazingly spiritual tones in a cavernous church. Betty did a phenomenal, authentic, moving eulogy. But I think you can equally honor Mom on your unique, special tour, especially of these dramatic temples. Mom loved Asia and will feel even more at home with prayers and incense offerings from halfway around the world, a world she loved. Love, Bob
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful tribute to Anne's mom... and a memory she'll have always... visiting a part of the world that was so special to Kay... I hope this made Anne feel close to her mum in spirit... she had a full and very rich 92 years!
ReplyDelete