Losing Another Mother

I wrote here about two friends of mine I met on my mission named Jacques and Marlyse.  When I last wrote about Marlyse, she was battling cancer and there was a good chance she would die.  I last heard from her in June of 2011, and she wasn't doing well.

Since our last communication, I have tried this past year to get in touch with her and Jacques, to no avail.  I feared Marlyse had passed away, but I had no confirmation...until last night.

Last night I felt the prompting to write them again and I did so.  This got me to thinking about our time together, and so I surfed the net looking for any information about them that I could.  I saw their house on GoogleMaps and thought how wonderful it is that modern technology can allow us to see a friend's house on the other side of the world.  I was reminded of the good times we had when I visited Jacques and Marlyse.

And then I stumbled across Marlyse's obituary.  She actually died two months after her last email to me.  I was saddened by her death, but more so by the fact that it took me over a year to find out.  I was surprised that Jacques hadn't let me know.  I'm sure it wasn't intentional, but it hurt just the same.

I imagine how empty Jacques' life must be without Marlyse.  She was his rock, and she is what often kept him together.  I mourn for his loss and wonder how he's doing.  I hope he's okay.  I wrote him again hoping he receives my email and knowing that I feel his pain.

Jacques and Marlyse have always been very important to me.  I often referred to them as my Belgian parents.  I am sad that I have lost my Belgian mother and equally disheartened that it took so long for me to find out about it.

It's weird that I found out about this just when I'm going through so much angst with my own mom.  It's probably not a coincidence.

Rest in peace, Marlyse.  I love you.