A Tribute to Frances Elkus White Cohen-Knoerdel
| To Mother |
| On Thursday January 26, 2012, my Mother, Frances Elkus White Cohen-Knoerdel, passed away. She was a remarkable worman who touched many people from all walks of life. She did this with immense gratitude and humility. I took this photograph of Mother in September 2004 at my cousin Stuart's wedding in San Francisco. My step father, Frank, did not come with Mother, he was home sick. Mother was physically with us at the warf in San Francisco looking at the sea lions lounging in the late afternoon sun. However, she was really back home on the couch with Frank....holding hands, sipping a cocktail. It was at that moment I took this shot. It's special! On that Thursday afternoon I took Copper—our 4 year old Beagle—for a walk. I stopped to sit down at a park bench to look at a cloud. All of a sudden the cloud broke apart and the sun was blazing all over me. Warming me to the bone. The clouds merged together again blocking the sun completely. It was cold. I stood up to start walking and I realized I still felt the warm sun in me. And at that moment I felt Mother in me. Frances, Frannie, Francie, Fran, Mother, Mom, Mommy, Grandma and finally Grandma Pickle—you will be missed dearly. Rest assured we will all live our lives to the fullest so that we can share with you our stories, laughs and memories. There are some many lessons learned from you I simply can't name them all. But the one that stands out is, "If you don't have something nice to say, then don't say anything at all." Safe travels.... Love David |
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