It's been a very difficult year. I needed you in more ways than you knew.

I call your number sometimes, but it's unassigned. I just want someone to pick up at some point, so for a millisecond I can imagine hearing your voice again.

Today marks one year since our beloved mother and Amma passed away peacefully. We can't quite believe a whole year has passed without our mom/amma in our lives. We've felt that loss deeply. However, she was a Christian and deeply believed that she would be with her Lord after she passed. Some of her last words to us were "I'm ready to leave this world, I'm at peace." Mom, I know you are experiencing true joy now and have been reunited with your loved ones who passed, such as your father and mother. And someday we'll be together again. "Love is stronger than death."

Today marks one year since our beloved mother and Amma passed away peacefully. We can't quite believe a whole year has passed without our mom/amma in our lives. We've felt that loss deeply. However, she was a Christian and deeply believed that she would be with her Lord after she passed. Some of her last words to us were "I'm ready to leave this world, I'm at peace." Mom, I know you are experiencing true joy now and have been reunited with your loved ones who passed, such as your father and mother. And someday we'll be together again. "Love is stronger than death."

Well... somehow this hymn started to play in my pocket one Sunday, when I have to search my email to find this page.

This Christmas was extremely hard. I cried a lot...lit a candle... spent time with old friends. I feel like there is a hole inside of me now. My mom was after a while not as much a mom, but my best friend. There is absolutely no one I can talk to about things the same anymore.

I have been trying to honor her by doing what she asked me to do.

When we were little, we had nothing, but we had everything at Christmas. My mom made sure we did. She is here with me now in my apartment. I sleep on her bed...have furniture...and her Urn.

I hope she can feel my tears, and knows how empty life is without her. 🤍

Christmas Day 2024

I saw your footprints on the snow

Where I walked on Christmas Day

I followed them into the night

Until the winds blew them away

Now I only chase the flakes

That swirl around the shape I knew

And deeper in the night I travel

Until my footprints lead to you.

Happy Birthday to my beautiful mom, who would have turned 93 today.

I was honouring you by myself, with music you love, and a candle lit all day long. I would have been sitting beside you today, talking and laughing. I know you are happier where you are now, but where I am, there is just an empty seat. I miss my mom...best friend...teacher... sometimes crazy cohert. No one can ever fill your seat. 🤍🪽

Eternal love, Ingrid

Happy birthday to our mother and Amma, Ethel, who would have turned 93 today. 🎂🍾🥂 We are so thankful for her life, for all she sacrificed for our family and for the love and joy she brought into our lives even when times were hard. Mom, you stood by us faithfully throughout our lives and we will never forget that. We will never forget you. Every day we remember you and we always will. 💞🙏🏻

Ethel, I only met you once. Your beautiful smile and loving heart was instant. The second I met you I knew you were a special mumma. You welcomed me in your home with loving arms and enthusiasm. I wish I had the chance to see you more, but I do thank the Lord I was able to be in your presence even once.

You were radiant, intellectual and passionate till the very end. God bless you. May paradise be everything you every dreamed sweet angel. Till we meet again 💜

Ingrid and Garth, your mom was beautiful inside and out. She was always so kind to my mom and I. Hopefully my mom meets her again, and was there to greet her on her journey. RIP

Hello, Ethel. I'm afraid we never met, but I truly love communicating with your children Ingrid and Garth. We have much in common and hopefully we all someday be at your side and catch up on what I imagine will be many, many things!

Studio photo of the Bailey family in 1969:

Front row: Charles G. Bailey, Thorsteina (Steina) Bailey

Back row: Charles G. Bailey (jr), Thelma Matheson, Ethel Bailey, Irene Nakano, Gordon Bailey

Missing: Inga Bachman

"For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, 39 neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord."

• Paul's letter to the Romans, 8:38

Death is Nothing at All

Death is nothing at all.
I have only slipped away to the next room.
I am I and you are you.
Whatever we were to each other,
That, we still are.

Call me by my old familiar name.
Speak to me in the easy way
which you always used.
Put no difference into your tone.
Wear no forced air of solemnity or sorrow.

Laugh as we always laughed
at the little jokes we enjoyed together.
Play, smile, think of me. Pray for me.
Let my name be ever the household word
that it always was.
Let it be spoken without effect.
Without the trace of a shadow on it.

Life means all that it ever meant.
It is the same that it ever was.
There is absolute unbroken continuity.
Why should I be out of mind
because I am out of sight?

I am but waiting for you.
For an interval.
Somewhere. Very near.
Just around the corner.

All is well.

▪️ Henry Scott Holland, "Death Is Nothing At All"

Message from Ethel's family:

This memorial site for our mother will be permanently online, so if you have any memories of Ethel you'd like to share, please feel free to add them here as it will mean a lot to our family. You can also upload photos in the comments, too. Thank you.

We love you Ethel! What a beautiful tribute Ingrid and Garth. You have a new angel watching over you. She will forever be in my heart and on my mind. May her sweet soul rest peacefully and her light shine on you always.

With love,

A heartwarming tribute to an intelligent, loving and resilient gal. May she rest peacefully. To Garth, Ingrid, Helen and Tianna, my heartfelt condolences. Losing your mother is a most challenging point in life but be comforted by the your memories and the warmth of her love for you. Love and God Bless

Ethel and I were close friends for almost 40 years.  She was a beautiful lady both inside and out, and will be missed by all who knew her.

NOTE FROM ETHEL's FAMILY: A memorial service will be held for our mother at 11:00 am, Saturday, May 25, 2024, at First Lutheran Church, 580 Victor Street, Winnipeg.

*****All are welcome to attend.