September 13, 1994
A Note From Mom!
Looking Back from 2026
In 2024, as I went through my box of memories and memorabilia from this adventure, I found this note from my Mom.
Dated Tuesday, September 13, she mailed it along with the letter from “the girl in Norway (Katrine)” to me at Olivier’s house in Tours, France, where I received it about a week later.
It makes me smile to think how much communication has changed in thirty years. Now we can talk with anyone, anywhere, instantly, basically free!
It also makes me smile to see my Mom’s handwriting and remember her love of notes to my sisters and me! She had a box of these square 3.5” x 3.5” pieces of pastel paper she used for everything from shopping lists to notes to herself to letters of love and support for us.
Finally, I love the encouraging tone she conveyed to me. She was always my number one supporter, no matter how crazy my dreams!
My Mom died in 2012 of complications from a stroke. She was only 64. It was totally unexpected.
My parents were spending the winter in Arizona, as they did every year. While my dad played golf, my mom sunbathed on the back deck. A neighbor said she saw her. At some point she went inside, suffered the stroke, and my dad found her on the floor when he returned home from golfing.
She was rushed to the hospital, and my sisters and I rushed from our homes in Nebraska and Texas to Scottsdale to be with her.Seventy-two hours later, my family made the toughest decision we ever had to make: we agreed to remove her from life support. We were blessed to be able to spend the following week with her in hospice before she passed.
I learned the tough and heartbreaking lesson that we never know how much time we get here, so we better make the most of every single day.
I’m really sad thinking that she doesn’t get to see this story told this way. However, I am lifted in happiness remembering her smiling encouragement. Mom was the most supportive person in my life. She was my number one fan in everything I did. She supported my decision to go to Europe much more than my Dad — or anyone else — did at the time.
I can feel her love and spirit with me always, even now as I type these words. I know she is proud of me today and the man I have become.
I Love You Mom!
A note from Mom
A note from Mom, back side
Tues 9/13th
Hey T!!
How are you honey!!
Hope just great & that all is going good so far. It was GREAT to hear from you on Thursday from Dublin & I’m really anxious to hear from you this week from France.
I know you’re having a blast! Just use your head WISELY :-) and stay out of trouble :-) OK??
I’ll write more later - to you and Olivier. Just wanted to forward this letter to you now!! Yea - another one to go see in NORWAY (a girl!!)
Have fun & take good care of yourself.
I saw Tim the other day (after you called) & filled him in! He got a really big kick out of your comment when you got thru the airport doors in Shannon!! Everyone has!! And he said that would definitely have to go on the Dome Quote Board!! HA! I haven’t seen Kyle & Jen yet.
Love ya lots!
Mom
Miss you too XXOO
My Mom, Lynn Rundstrom, photographed by me in 2006.