I first met Muriel in the car pool line Andy’s first year at Steward School. (third grade?) We often went out for coffee and got to be good friends. My daughter, Jennifer and Andy became good friends, as well, and spent many afternoons with play dates when they were little. Muriel and I worked on many school committees through the years, and enjoyed the basketball games, when
Andy was on the team and Jennifer was a cheerleader. It seemed that graduation day came too soon and we all had to move on.
One memory I go back to is sitting in one of the last assemblies and our seniors were up front singing in the choir. It was a touching song, and I started to weep silently (this was not gentle lady-like tears, but full-blown-get-the-front-of-your-dress-wet-blubbering). Muriel was sitting in front of me and turned around and saw my mess, and she started with the tears also. (good friends will do that with you).
We went our own ways until we got reacquainted many years later on Facebook. I remember a message chat about Oded’s and Jennifer’s deaths. She knew just what to say to me. I think our last conversation was about how much we both liked Paul Simon and Simon and Garfunkel, and how come we didn’t know that about each other.
I have had a hard time wrapping my head around the fact that Muriel is gone. It’s hard to think that she is not just a message chat away anymore.
Andy I hope it gives you comfort and peace that so many, from so many places will remember your extraordinary mother.