2012 was a difficult year for many people. It seems nearly everyone I know was touched by some type of loss or illness. We unfortunately suffered a tragic loss in our family. I haven’t yet written about it but the last few months of 2012 were not easy. A devastating accident took the life of my beautiful mother-in-law, Diane Bonanno.
Diane Valerie Bonanno
September 11, 1938 – November 19, 2012
While on vacation with my father-in-law in one of her favorite places, Hawaii, a huge wave about 15 feet high slammed her to the ground, shattering her neck. This very active woman, young for her years who hiked and did yoga was, in an instant, a quadriplegic.
The next 3 and a half weeks were difficult and scary. We prayed for miracles. She fought hard, her will to live was strong but after many complications, she passed away just before Thanksgiving. My husband lost his mom. The outpouring of support and prayers from friends during this ordeal was overwhelming. We had a beautiful service for her just before Christmas. My husband, his father, sister and both brothers spoke from their heart, it was exactly what I think she would have wanted.
I am blessed to have known her. She was a beautiful person inside and out… kind, generous, thoughtful, spiritual, loving. Diane was a wonderful mother and an amazing grandmother who had a special relationship with each of her 10 grandchildren. She was full of love and helped people her entire life, always giving of her time and talents.
The medical staff in both hospitals said she was special. They rarely see so much love and support from families and visitors. They appreciated how kind and polite she was. Her behavior was a pleasant surprise for them as they expressed to the family how rare it is for patients in her condition to even smile. Another testament to her generous and loving spirit.
I loved being her daughter-in-law. We were very close and fortunately had none of the typical issues most women have with their mother-in-law. I could really talk to her and be myself, I always felt like she ‘got me’. I’m lucky we bought our home when we did because some of my last memories of her are how much fun we had shopping for new items for our home and decorating it together. My father-in-law said it best at her service, “all of my 3 sons are mamas boys and their wives still love her!” She loved deeply and everyone felt her love. A light in our lives dimmed way too soon.
Galations 5:22-28
“The fruit of the spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.”
Dear Kelly,
I’m so sorry for your loss! Please accept my deepest condolence to you and your family!
“Like a bird singing in the rain, let grateful memories survive in time of sorrow. ” – Robert Louis Stevenson
Thank you Dina, I appreciate it.
Lovely quote.
xo Kelly
What a beautiful tribute to your mother in law…..rest assured she has a gigantic smile on her face knowing she was part of the creation of a beautiful relationship like the one you two had. Wishing you lots of support as you continue finding peace with this transition. Blessings and thank you for co-hosting at the empowered living hop….I am so glad I found you.
Irish Carter
http://www.dedicated2life.com
Thank you for your kind words, I do appreciate it. I am very fortunate to have reaped the benefits of her wisdom and have a good relationship with her.
Glad you linked up 🙂
XOXO Kelly
Sorry for your loss. OMG, you would have never thought that walking on the beach could kill you.
Thank you. It is shocking, isn’t it that doing one of the most peaceful and relaxing things, enjoying the beach could take your life. They were in the water and this rogue wave came out of nowhere. Still hard to believe it happened.
XOXO Kelly
Hi,
I am so sorry for your loss. She does sound like an impeccable lady that was full of life, I can understand why the end of 2012 would definitely be a hard one. I wish you and your family healing and renewed spirit in 2013.
*New Follower on linky.
Heather from Mommy Only Has 2 Hands
Thank you, nicely put, renewed spirit is exactly what we need.
She really was full of life. I realize she wasn’t 35 but she had many good years left.
XOXO Kelly
Kelly
I am so sorry about your’s and Joe’s loss. Please give everyone a big hug.
Xoxox
Bettina
Thank you Bettina, so sweet of you.
XOXO Kelly
That was a beautiful post and heartwarming and heart-wrenching all at the same time. I’m so sorry for your loss and I’m happy for all the good years you had together as a family. God bless for 2013!
I was popping in from the blog hop. Thanks for co-hosting!
Tina – Amanda’s Books and More
Thank you Tina and thank you for linking up.
xo Kelly
Dear Kelly,
I have never had the pleasure of meeting you or Diane, but I am a very good friend of Susan’s( Our Boys have grown up together and been friends for 12+ years) and I just wanted to tell you how beautiful this tribute is! I know how much Susan adored her mother, and she is a wonderful friend and such a loving kind lady…after reading this I know where she got it. So sorry for your loss. I lost my mother six years ago and she was my best friend; I will not say that time makes it easier, but it does make it different. Take care, I hope someday to have the fortune of meeting you!………xo
Hi Kathryn ~
Thank you, I appreciate your kind words. I’m sorry for your loss as well. I’m sure you miss her like it happened yesterday. As I’m sure you know, she and Susan were close like that so it’s particularly difficult for her. I lost my mother 5 years ago, she was unfortunately ill for several years before that so I was very blessed to have such a good relationship with Diane.
Hope to meet you someday too!
XOXO Kelly
Gosh it’s so sad to think about. I just remember her being so bright and optimistic. Such kind eyes too. Uncle Joe definitely has her eyes. I hope you guys are doing well, missed you all at Christmas and I really wanted to come over.
She really was and you are so right Jake, Joe definitely has her beautiful eyes.
Missed you at Christmas too! Hope to see you soon 🙂
XOXO Aunt Kelly
Kelly –
Thank you for your beautiful tribute to a beautiful woman. I am still in shock and can’t believe that she is gone.
I remember he best from the North Arlington, NJ days – despite the chaos of 4 young children, her home was always warm and full of love.