Eulogy of Karin Blumofe, daughter

 

Good Morning-  first I would like to thank everyone who is here today, who came from all over the country, to remember and celebrate my mother’s  life.    Seeing all of you today is a small tribute to how many lives she touched.

 

Everytime I tried to sit down and write something for today-  it was just so hard, so painful and so sad for me.  When I would speak to my father about my progress- or rather lack of it-  he’d tell me that other people were also struggling, trying to find the words to say today.  I know that this is the most difficult thing I have had to do in my entire life.

 

Many told me to just speak from my heart, but how can I do that when I feel like there is a big hole in my heart, a gnawing pain and ache that wraps it up and squeezes it tight, ever since my mom has passed away.  So today, I will try do my best…

How can you sum up a life in a few moments?  Express all that someone has done, the impact one has had and the lives that have been touched?  It is an impossible feat.  So the best I can do is try to convey how my mother affected me…

 

Strength, Kindness and a Never-ending interest in the world are my mother’s legacy to me, her daughter.  I want to discuss each of the traits individually and try to give a few personal examples of each one:

 

 

First-  we all know that my mother had a love of reading, writing and literature.  But she also had an endless curiosity about the world at large.  So often I would speak to her and she would review the latest fascinating article in the New Yorker, describe an Indie movie on Netflicks or recent art exhibit and its deeper meaning.  She was a life-long learner and intellectual.  This was an inherent trait in her.

 

Second-  my mother was kind-  she was respectful and non judgemental.  On a “superficial” level my mother was a bit of a stickler for proper manners.  She used to always tell me that after borrowing something, I should always try to return it in a bit of better condition than when I received it.  And my mother LOVED a proper handwritten thank you note.  This was instilled in me at a very early age and something I hope my children have learned too.  She was an updated Emily Post who found proper manners as an outlet for kindness and respect, a reflection of her inner values.

On a “deeper” level, my mother expanded her family and took in all of our spouses -  WonJu, Ari and Mickey-  individuals from different walks of life, religions and cultures.  She embraced all of us as her own children.

 

Third-  strength.  Although physically my mother was slender and gentle, my mother’s inner conviction was powerful.  She had to face many challenges throughout her life-  a difficult childhood, a long battle with breast cancer, the loss of my amazing brother Daniel.  And with my father by her side, she would always emerge from the fire and ashes, thru each tragedy, a little stronger.

 

With each experience my mother seemed to use it to enrich her life and the lives of the people around her.  She was never afraid of emotional conflicts and taking emotional risks, so that her relationships were real and authentic.  And at the end of her life, I believe she had developed a special group of family and friends- the people who are here in this room today-  who truly loved my mother, and all she embodied as a human being.

 

When I think back over all the lovely moments throughout my life with my mother, it is these themes that replay in my mind.  I don’t know if my heart will ever feel whole again-  every time I pick up the phone to call her and then realize she is not there, it seems to break again.  But I do know that it is because of this wonderful woman and her strength,  kindness and intellect- that it has made me the person I am today.

Thank you.