Psyche Bloodgood's story, in memory of Betty Jo ❤️

It was expected, but I'm still not prepared.

My mom passed away this morning. I am so grateful that I got these extra few months, but I selfishly still want more. Yesterday, while with her, I kept thinking things like,"Wait! I wanted to ask you about...", and "I wanted to share this thing with you that I just found out". I'm sure that no matter how many questions I asked there would still be more. I may be an adult, but what child doesn't want to share their discoveries with their mom? I may not have had the best father figure, but I always tried to be a mother like my mom was to me.

As a child, I was "fiery", but she was always so patient. She gave me plenty of space to be me and find my own place in life. She encouraged my creativity in the way she wished hers was encouraged.

And she loved children.

She told me once that she had wanted to have many more than just the two of us, but financially, that never became feasible. Instead, as a pediatric nurse, she calmed and comforted children when they were sick, needed shots or other difficult procedures. After my dad left, she added taking care of the elderly nights and weekends to make ends meet until she had her first stroke almost 20 years ago.

Here are some of my favorite photos of her. She is holding her brother Roger and her sister, Sue is below her. I think this was the photo used for my mom's ID at Oak Knoll in the '80's, and the last one if from a special senior even at her Living place early last year.

I love you, "BJ-or-Betty-Jo-but-NEVER-Betty" whom I called 'Mom".