Words cannot convey

Here is the poem I wrote for my mother's service:

What do you say to your mother,
when her brood is grown and gone?

What do you say to your teacher,
when her students, all forge on?

What do you say to your friend,
when her path strays from view?

What do you say to her,
when there’s nothing you can do?

You open up your heart, breathe strong deep and clear,
and thank her with your words and your many sparkling tears.
Thank her with your life, lived as she had taught.
Thank her with your mind,and deep and silent thought.

You thank her then, let go, release,
And let her leave to rest in peace.

Away she goes with wind and squall,
a floating warmth, a glowing ball.

Past her children, standing strong.
Past her students, playing on.
Past her friends, hugs and smiling eyes.
Past hills and streams, off into the sky.

_________

I can't really describe what I feel right now. I'm hoping people will write some remembrances of mom on this blog. Maybe it will be too much to ask, but I am trying to hold onto as much of her memory as possible and perhaps by gathering others as well, mine will become stronger.

Say I am You

Anne Miller, beloved mother, sister, teacher and friend passed away on Thursday, January 31, 2008, after a valiant battle with leukemia. She was 70 years old.

She is survived by her two siblings: Sam Miller of East Aurora, NY, and Mary Miller OSB of Erie, PA; her five adoring children: Andrew J. LaRoe and his wife Karen of Ballston Lake, NY; Julie A. LaRoe of Schenectady, NY; Lopi LaRoe of Brooklyn, NY; Jennifer A. LaRoe and her partner Dylan Quigley of Juneau, AK; Silas Miller of Burlington, VT; and her two grandchildren: Lila and Miles Quigley of Juneau, AK. She also leaves behind an amazingly dedicated and loving extended family of friends.

For the past 30 years Anne called the Adirondacks, which she loved, home. In the early 80’s she founded the Commonground Gallery in Northville, NY, where she lived, taught, and painted. Anne, a true "gem of the Adirondacks", was deeply devoted to Northville, the land, and its people. She shared her love with everyone she met through her gifts of art, music and gardening. She was an integral part of the village she loved, and will be forever missed.

Anne was born on July 24, 1937, in Meadville, PA, to Bernard and Sylvia Miller. She attended Mercyhurst College, in Erie, PA, as an undergrad and later received her MFA at SUNY Albany. She was a member of the Oak Room Artists and also served on the boards of the Sacandaga Valley Arts Network, the Guild of Adirondack Artists and the Saratoga County Council on the Arts. Her work has been exhibited extensively in the Northeast and is in private collections worldwide.

Visiting hours will be held from 5-7 pm on Tuesday, February 5th, at the Commonground Gallery, 122 Bridge Street, Northville, NY. A service will be held Wednesday morning, February 6th, at Saint Francis of Assisi Church in Northville, NY. Donations can be made to the Sacandaga Valley Arts Network at PO Box 660, Northville, NY, 12134.