in memoriam.

Published on by Quandie

It has been a sad week for our family.  Mr. Q’s sister Christina passed away unexpectedly on July 5.  She was only 48 years old and in addition to siblings, her father, cousins, aunts, uncles and so many friends, she also left behind three children.

I really hesitated sharing this news here on q is for quandie because I would rather keep things happy and light.  I don’t want to bring people down.  But normally I would have a post to share with you guys today, and this week I don’t.

Instead of painting furniture, or photographing a rusty pedestal makeover, we spent the last couple of days in the small town of Mountain Lake in the southern part of Minnesota for a visitation and funeral.

I considered just not posting at all today, but instead I decided to share one of my most recent happy memories of Chris.

Last September Chris was in Texas for a business trip and she made the time to visit Magnolia Market.  She was a big Fixer Upper fan.  She rented a car and drove to Waco by herself because she just had to visit, and hopefully catch a glimpse of Chip & Joanna.  She posted a live video on Facebook showing that she was the first person there that morning.  The sun was just barely up.  She was so excited and you can hear the joy in her voice at just simply being there and taking it all in.  She took all of us watching on a tour of the place and laughed about the fact that she was there so early and apparently no one else was!

I remember sitting here at my computer watching her live video with my morning coffee and just being happy that Chris was so obviously enjoying herself immensely!

Although Chris and I weren’t terribly close, we shared that love of vintage farmhouse style.  She was always so supportive of my blog and that meant a lot to me.  Unfortunately I have to admit that I never told her that.  Somehow I always thought that there would be time down the road to bring it up and now it’s too late to let her know how much I appreciated her.

So do me a favor today.  Instead of leaving a comment here, tell someone in your life how much you appreciate them.  You never know when that opportunity will be gone for good.

52 thoughts on “in memoriam.”

  1. I’m so sorry for your family’s loss, thank you for your heartfelt post,and for the reminder about telling our loved ones how much they mean to us! But you seem like a very warm person so I think Chris would have known how much you appreciated her anyway. Thank you for your lovely blog and best wishes to your family during this difficult time.

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  2. I’m so sorry to hear this news about your sister in-law chris. Hugs to you and Mike
    For comfort during this difficult time.

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  3. Ohhhhhhhh you guys. My heart is breaking for you and your family. The children. What a tragic loss, I am so, so sorry. Thinking of you and sending peace and love your way.

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    1. Thanks Meggan. It is a tragic loss and I even though we didn’t get together often because of the distance, I will miss seeing Chris’ regular posts on Facebook. She always had something to share that brought a smile to my face.

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  4. I am so sad for you and your husband, Linda. Please pass on your condolences from me. And I will let my sisters and brother know how much the mean to me, along with my in-laws.

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    1. Thank you so much Fiona! It’s hard to be far from family. I’m still so grateful that my own sister was able to move close by three years ago.

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  7. Being a nurse, I know all to well, that sometimes in life we can have regrets. But, I am sure that Chris knows how much you appreciated her support. I am so sorry for the loss of your sister-in-law. I will send prayers to her family and to your husband and you. You asked us to tell someone in our life how much we appreciate them. So, I am telling you. I appreciate you! I love your blog! I love your wit and your descriptions of your projects. I love the furniture pieces you choose and your ideas on how to enhance each one of them. I love hearing about all of your travels. I love hearing all of the stories about your neighbor Ken. I love getting up early in the morning and sitting down with a nice hot cup of coffee, in the quiet of the morn, and reading your blog. I have learned so much from you on the do’s and don’t’s of painting furniture. So Linda, I just want to tell you that I appreciate you. Thank you for taking the time to share with all of us. ❤️

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    1. Oh Monica, you are so kind! I often write my blog posts in the early morning with a nice cup of coffee beside me, so it seems totally appropriate that you read them that way too 🙂

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  8. I am so very sorry to learn of your loss. My heart breaks for Christina’s husband and children. I am certain that Christina was a vibrant spirit and loved by all as I can see the sparkle in her face from the photograph of her and her children. One of the things that I appreciate about your blog, above all others, is that you keep it real. Thank you for finding the courage to share the sorrow along with the joy. My condolences to the entire family…

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  9. Linda,

    This was a lovely post, although I admit to being biased, being Chris’ sister on her dad’s side. She was very proud of your blog and loved your style!

    Thank you!
    Sarah Nicol

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    1. PS. My daughters are in Germany right now. I sent them an extra “I love you” text this morning. I love seeing what others are doing. Life can be so fleeting.

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    2. Oh Sarah, thank you so much! It was so nice to be able to meet you and the rest of your family. It meant so much to Chris that she was able to get to know you guys. I still remember the day that she told us she was going to meet her biological dad and sisters. She was so happy about that. And the moment she met all of you she felt that kinship immediately. I only wish that you had all had much more time together.

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  11. Losing a loved one is never easy, but the love and support of friends and family help ease the pain somewhat. Hoping you and Mike keep your good memories of Chris in your hearts. She will undoubtedly be missed. Hugs to you.

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  13. My heart breaks for you and your family. My brother passed away at 59, unexpectedly, four years ago; losing a sibling is heart wrenching! Thank you for sharing with us. I am sure she knew you loved her, as others have written, you are a good person, so it is just natural that she knew! Please give Deb a big hug today, and tell her you love her!You are so fortunate to have a great Sis!
    Blessings

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    1. I’m so sorry for your loss too Shelly! I will definitely give my sis a big hug the next time I see her … which will be sometime this weekend for sure 🙂

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  14. I’m so sorry for your loss. What a beautiful way to honor her — and the call to action is one we all need sometimes. Praying for you and your family during this time.

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  15. I’m so sorry to hear this. What a beautiful way to honor her, I wish I could have seen the video and hear her excitement, though I never met her. My thoughts are with you and your family.

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    1. I’m fairly technologically limited, so I couldn’t figure out a way to include the video as part of my blog post. I wish I had been able to share it though! Thank you Goedele!

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    1. Yes, that’s definitely something that I need to be better at. Even if it’s not someone close, but just anyone that you appreciate … a co-worker, your dental hygienist or the grocery store clerk who handles your eggs with care 🙂

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  17. I’m so sorry for this family tragedy. And you are so right, tell people today how you appreciate them because one never knows what tomorrow brings.

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  18. So sorry to hear of this sad loss in Mr. Q’s family, and thanks for sharing such a sweet eulogy. Sending up thoughts and prayers for you and your extended family!

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  20. I am terribly sorry for the loss you & Mr. Q are experiencing. There are no words…. I am crying for you. Thank you for sharing your successes, failures, triumphs and losses. You are a real person and I thank you for sharing that with us, even though I know it’s very difficult. I’ve been ill for the past 6 weeks – physically & mentally stressed- and have been just horrible to my family. I know, from experience, that those we love can be here today and suddenly gone tomorrow. I try to remember that and let those I care about know how I feel daily. But, lately, I’ve lost myself. You’ve reminded me. Thank you. I just went upstairs, grabbed my newly 12 year old son, who has taken the brunt of my frustrations, and told him how special he is to me, I love him more than he can ever know and sincerely apologized for my behavior. I then did the same to my 28 year old son and husband. I’m embarrassed by my behavior and am sad it took your loss to make me be me again but thank you for sharing. Again, I am very sorry for your loss.

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  22. I am so sorry to hear of your families loss of your sister in law. A very sad time. But remember God is good and she is with him now. May you be consold by the love you shared. Sincerely..love Betty

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  25. I think your sister-in-law knew how you felt. And taking care of her kids when holidays come is an important thing you can do in her memory.

    I’m proud to say I repeatedly told my father-in-law I loved him like he was my own dad in the weeks since my mother-in-law passed. We’ve been family for 25 years. Last night I gave him (he’s 95 years old) the first shower ever. My mother-in-law passed last month and his assisted living facility is falling down on the job so I told him we had to get passed embarrassment and do a good job. It was easier than I expected thankfully. I promised my mother-in-law I would take care of him no matter what, so we are now looking for a house with two master bedrooms and will hire help instead of wasting so much on assisted living. I will have no regrets when he passes.

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  26. Just wanted to express my sympathy to you and your husband for your loss. ( also, I sent a text to my own sisters and let them know how important they are to me).

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