Big Laguna Lake
My mom recently passed away. She was my North Star. I feel lost and unmoored without her. We always had a very close relationship. There’s no doubt I’m her son, the two of us are similar in so many ways, just ask Amy or any of my friends.
The hardest thing I’ve ever done was to tell my mom in person that her son, Eric, had died in a paragliding accident. It shattered her world. After that, especially in her later years she often said to me, “Don’t pass before I do.”
Her first 90 years she was charging hard and very active. Then it got to a point where it wasn’t safe for her to drive anymore. Losing her independence was the beginning of the end. After a year of living on her own without a car it became apparent that an assisted living place was the next step. It saddens me that she wasn’t very happy her last couple years. She would not embrace the assisted living place. She became depressed and had anxiety issues. She constantly said, “Don’t ever get old if you can help it.”
Another thing she often said was, “If you fall and break your hip, that’s it.” She fell multiple times but only bruised herself. Then on April 14th, early in the morning she fell and shattered her hip. It was very painful, so that same day she had hip replacement surgery. She would only be with us for another three and a half weeks.
Amy and I were with her when she died. Each of us on one side of the bed, holding her hands.
I’d like to give a sincere heartfelt thanks to everyone who visited my mom while she was at her assisted living place and to all the wonderful folks that came by to see her while she was on hospice care. Thank you very much.
To begin absorbing life without my mom, we took a trip to our beautiful local mountains. Biking, flowers, relaxing, and reflecting on her life.
Laguna Campground, Meadow Loop, site 19
It looks like fake rocks from a movie set.
Velvety False Lupine
Our first day we biked with Pine Valley locals, Gretchen and Hans.
Straight down view of a Pine Paintbrush
Great job by San Diego Mountain Biking Association installing this much needed boardwalk over a marshy section of the meadow.
Three days of biking in absolute perfect weather!
Wild Flax
The most expansive field of Cream Cups we’ve ever seen 🙂.
It was surreal to bike through it.
Tidy Tips
Sweet Singletrack
Western Wallflower
We got up at the crack o’ dawn one morning and drove to the scenic overlook to watch the sunrise on Whale Peak.
Here are some wonderful pictures of my mom:
Look at my cool mom on a bike!
I was so proud of the fact that she was a Registered Nurse.
In 1957, her first time ever on a plane, she flew to California to live with her brother, Chuck. A year later she married my dad.
Look at us! All dressed up for Easter. Eric was actually born on Easter Sunday in 1962.
Christmas 1967, cards on the door. 😊 She always displayed them that way.
1984, her 52nd birthday.
My mom and I went up to Mammoth to visit Eric, circa 1991.
Ruth Harris
June 22, 1932 – May 7, 2025
Rest in Peace
What a beautiful post about your mom Greg. She was a remarkable woman. She was so very fortunate to have Amy and you to be so close and supportive. May her memory always be a blessing ❤️.
Thanks for the kind words Mare
RIP Ruth. ❤️ Big G, you made your mom very proud and you and Amy were always there for her with love and attentive care. May the hole in your heart inspire only happy memories and comfort that your mom is in a better place.
Thanks Nolte
So sorry for the loss, she was a wonderful mom and you took care of her well. I hope you feel her presence in the beauty of this world.
I do not recall seeing the biking photo but of course she was a biker, a nurse and mother of 2 boys that keep her lively and provided the best gift of motherhood to her and also her best accomplishment.
RIP Ruth 😪
Thanks Lauren. You were present and supportive of my mom when she was going through her divorce. I’ll always be grateful to you for that. And thanks for visiting her ❤️
Thanks so much for sharing about your mom. You are a lucky guy my friend.Sent from my iPhone
Thanks Birch, I really appreciate it
I’m hopeful your lifetime of Mom memories will provide comfort and give you a peace about her passing, eventually. You and Amy gave her the type of loving care that meant so much to her in her later years, knowing the 2 of you could always be depended upon no matter what. May we all be blessed with that type of support in our golden years.
RIP Ruth Harris
Thanks House! She sure loved you and Acomb. She would always ask me how you were doing in Idaho.
beautiful blog Greg and a great recap of your mom’s life. Well done.
Gracias Gio!
What a beautiful relationship you and your mom had. What a gift you gave her being by her side, one you will always be so grateful for as well. The memories will bring you tears, and smiles, embrace all they are💙
Thank you Christine, and thanks for all the conversations after she broke her hip. You are a wonderful caring person.
Wonderful tribute to your Mom, LOVE all the photos! Aunt Ruth lived a full life, and was very proud of you Greg. You will continue to be surrounded by her love and feel her presence as you continue your life’s journey.🫶🏼
Thanks cousin! She thought the world of you. Thanks for coming out to see her all those times. It was wonderful of you.
Thank you for sharing the pictures of your Mom. What a gorgeous woman both inside and out! I know you both miss her physical presence but all the memories and the love you shared will always be with you. Sending you lots of love.
❤️
We really think so much of Cousin Ruth. We have many many great memories of her.
She always talked about you!
What a lovely tribute. Here’s to Ruth and an amazingly full, well-lived life. We should all be so lucky to love and be loved. I’m so sorry for your heartbreak.
Thank you Dande.
So sorry about your loss Greg. I can’t imagine how hard it must’ve been for you and your mother when your brother passed. You have been a wonderful son
Thanks Dave