March, a Month of Loss

We had planned a trip to Chile and lots of Key West sailing in March. But it was not to be. The event that we had dreaded since Cookie's mother had to go into a nursing home occurred. Dorothy Rollins Vogler,my exuberant, spontaneous mother passed on to a newer life. She did not go quietly. She fought until the end, three times defying the doctors predictions and recommendations that she should be in hospice. and she would never leave her bed again. My mother taught me many things, appreciation for life and living, laughter, humor, love of friends and family, the joy of trying new adventures and in the end, to never quit trying. With each new setback, she had struggled to walk again and to enjoy what remained of her life. Dorothy was a sailor too. She loved the wind and the water and racing other boats. She and my Dad used to race Rebel sailboats on a lake in Illinois. She started as first mate, but had a real feel for the boat and eventually became the captain. So this month is a tribute to Mom. Words cannot express the depth of our loss. But it was time, Mom. You broke our hearts with your valiant attempts to hang onto the life you so very much wanted to have, long after we knew it could never be.