Epilepsy Talk
The funeral… | July 14, 2025
Recently, we buried my mother.
The feelings of conflict were tremendous.
Super sad. Half-way funny. Somewhat glad.
Then came lunch and a ton of different stories.
Like the happy one which I’ll share with you now…
When I was in fifth grade, I got sent home with a note to my parents, accusing me of plagiarism.
My parents called me into their room that evening…
(which was always a bad sign when you were signaled out from your sibs),
and they asked me about the poem and where I found it.
I told them I found it in my heart and recited it.
They were dumbstruck.
I went on to be accused of plagiarism, but not before my mother went out and bought me this wonderful notebook.
It said “Scribbles” and had a special “poetry” pen attached.
From then on, I was off.
And the rest is history.
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20 Comments »
Leave a reply to Sue Keenan Cancel reply
About the author
Epilepsy Talk 
All the best to you and your family. Hugs from Canada
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Comment by Tyler King — July 14, 2025 @ 10:00 AM
Thank you. It was a difficult and surreal time.
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Comment by Phylis Feiner Johnson — July 14, 2025 @ 10:15 AM
Condoglianze.
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Comment by Andrea Whitcomb — July 14, 2025 @ 10:01 AM
Thank you so very much.
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Comment by Phylis Feiner Johnson — July 14, 2025 @ 10:16 AM
I’m so very sorry❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️ praying for your comfort and healing🙏❤️🙏
Yahoo Mail: Search, Organize, Conquer
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Comment by Sue Keenan — July 14, 2025 @ 10:24 AM
It’s the comfort part and the closure that I need. I feel so conflicted.
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Comment by Phylis Feiner Johnson — July 14, 2025 @ 10:29 AM
I feel for your loss. Mothers are special.
Losing a parent brings with it a unique combination of feelings. I lost both of mine within four months of each other. They were in their 80s and in poor health. As they aged, they paid little attention to their health (until it came time to see a doctor or refill a prescription). Still, they enjoyed 67 years of marriage together, and raised a family of four kids. Both my folks were depression era. They appreciated hard work, and they were good people. They taught all four of us to be strong, caring and honest.
Upon their deaths, we honored their wishes by having their remains buried together at the Veterans Cemetery in Eagle Point, Oregon. During their internment ceremony, my brother and I looked at one another with sadness, which turned in to great relief knowing that they were together for eternity. Their ailments gone and they are now at peace. A chapter in our lives was closed, but the book of life remains in our memories. Anniversaries, Mothers Day, Father’s Day, Veterans Day, Christmas, Thanksgiving, New Years, Easter, and birthdays all have special meaning to this day. My folks occasionally appear in my dreams, and I have a recording of their voices that I share with my siblings on dad and mom’s anniversary.
I’ll close by saying a few words relevant to my epilepsy that they helped me endure shortly after my 17th birthday (BTW, I’m now 68). On one occasion, mom sympathetically commented to me that she understood that my life must be difficult not knowing when a seizure would hit. My dad told me to go to school and make the best of my life. I took both these comments to heart, and I consider myself to be one of the fortunate among us because of my parents. RIP dad and mom.
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Comment by Tom — July 14, 2025 @ 10:49 AM
What wonderful, caring, thoughtful people your parents must have been.
I think their loss must have been bittersweet.
But you have such sweet, fulfilling memories to look back upon.
God bless them.
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Comment by Phylis Feiner Johnson — July 14, 2025 @ 11:24 AM
so sorry for your loss.
Love Epilepsy Talk; it’s a valuable contribution to the epilepsy community. Thank you.
Lisa Lindahl
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Comment by Lisa — July 14, 2025 @ 11:41 AM
Thank you for your comment. It means the world to me.
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Comment by Phylis Feiner Johnson — July 14, 2025 @ 12:03 PM
i am sorry to hear of the passing of yoir mom. I am so glad you continued with your writing! Have you written any books?
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Comment by Tami — July 14, 2025 @ 12:13 PM
I am featured IN a book, but I have not written a book. Too much baggage, too short an attention span. 🙂
That’s why I went into advertising writing. No brain, no pain.
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Comment by Phylis Feiner Johnson — July 14, 2025 @ 12:16 PM
I’m not too good at responding to this kind of post. Of course, I don’t like to see anyone’s mother pass away but I have trouble figuring out what to say from there. I was just 18 years old when my mom died so I don’t know how you start feeling about your mom as you get older.
I’m sorry for your loss and I hope you enjoyed most of the time you spent with your mother.
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Comment by Ed Lugge — July 14, 2025 @ 1:51 PM
Unfortunately I did not. She was often very mean to me.
But she was my mother.
That’s the reason for the conflict.
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Comment by Phylis Feiner Johnson — July 14, 2025 @ 1:54 PM
What a wonderful story and a real lifes lesson.
Bob Hanson
bhanswag@sbcglobal.net
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Comment by Bob Hanson — July 14, 2025 @ 6:27 PM
Yes, Bob. I learned something every day. Some of it coping. Some of it appreciating. Some celebrating. And some just living!
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Comment by Phylis Feiner Johnson — July 14, 2025 @ 7:00 PM
Hi Phylis,
Thank you for sharing this story. I’m sorry for the passing of your mother. I feel I can relate a little in different ways about your experience with plagiarism. I see this as a gift. You have been gifted with the ability to be a great author. Even though I don’t engage much, I do enjoy all of your content. Thank you for sharing with us!
Best, Daniel
Enjoy your Wednesday!
>
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Comment by Dan Vincent — July 16, 2025 @ 4:01 AM
Daniel, Thank you for making the point about plagiarism. I never thought of it in a positive way like that.
You’ve turned lemons into lemonade for me!
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Comment by Phylis Feiner Johnson — July 16, 2025 @ 9:48 AM
I’m so sorry about the loss of your mom. It sounds like the memories of her are keeping her
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Comment by Roberts Sister — August 2, 2025 @ 12:04 PM
Yes. There are many memories. Some good. Some bad.
That’s why I’m so conflicted.
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Comment by Phylis Feiner Johnson — August 2, 2025 @ 12:12 PM