After many years of penning this blog I have come to know many of you and if you have been following me and reading the comments you probably know each other too.
During Christmas many of you shared your home’s Christmas decor which gave us another glimpse of you. I enjoyed that so much that I want to continue putting forth ways for us to connect. If you have a personal story that you would want to share please send it to me at
Shared Story Number 1
Photo via Amy’s Facebook
Mom and I spent a lot of time lying in her bed over the last year - she was sick and weak and in pain, and I wanted to be near her to keep her company and in case she needed anything.
We were constantly on our phones, sharing funny, interesting things with each other. I came across a compilation of hilarious, horrible tattoos, and when we saw this one - NO REGERTS - we laughed so hard Dad came in to see what we were doing. It's especially funny because Mom was a famously terrible speller and called me all the time to ask me how to spell things. NO REGERTS became our mantra.
After another trip to the doctor, when chemo failed, after another trip to the ER, another fight with the doctors to get her pain relief, a bad pain day, the day she entered hospice, a day she just couldn't muster the energy to eat or shower, the hours of medication organizing, the heart-wrenching conversations we had, the naps we took together when she held my cold hands between her warm ones, the lanes of memories we wandered, the joy and laughter we still shared even so close to the end. Every night, I made sure she had clean sheets and jammies and gave her a facial with a warm cloth, rose-scented face cream, and a hand and foot massage, and then I'd kiss her good night. And we would both whisper our love to each other, grab hands, look in each others' eyes, and say, "NO REGERTS."
I won't get a tattoo, but it's how I hope to live from now on. With not one single regert.
Not a single one.
Amy Kortuem
awwwww this deeply touched my heart. Thank you for sharing
Tears in my eyes. I am so glad you were there for her.
God bless us all
Jeanne
Posted by: Jeanne | 07 January 2022 at 01:35 AM
Poignant, lovely and hilarious. Thank you for sharing.
Posted by: Bev S. | 07 January 2022 at 03:28 AM
This is the most beautiful of posts . Thank you Amy for sharing it with us . How blessed you your mom and dad are to have shared this journey together. The gift of a facial soothing rose moisturizer v can lean greasy sheets and Jammies and your hands your face your mantra all the things that truly matter!
Posted by: g | 07 January 2022 at 03:50 AM
I am so sorry my phone changes words all the time that should be your hands clean sheets and pajamas not that nonsense I am so sorry you have to even read that because I love the gentleness of what you shared
Posted by: g | 07 January 2022 at 03:53 AM
Thank you for that beautiful, love-filled story!
Posted by: Lorraine Oh | 07 January 2022 at 06:45 AM
Thank you Amy. It is how I'd like to live my life. No regerts
Posted by: Susan W | 07 January 2022 at 06:53 AM
I was so touched by your lovely story. What a blessing for you and your dear mother to share that sweet wonderful time together.
Posted by: Nancy Gross | 07 January 2022 at 07:14 AM
I love this so. Thank you for sharing this story full of love.♥️
Posted by: Carol | 07 January 2022 at 07:48 AM
❤️
Thanks for sharing these precious memories, Amy.
Posted by: Susan in Zurich | 07 January 2022 at 08:08 AM
Thank you Amy, what a powerful message. I am sorry for your loss but greatly appreciate the relationship you had with your mother. May we all live each day with no regrets.
As well sung by the forever-relevant Edith Piaf in one of my favorite songs:
Non, rien de rien
No, nothing of nothing
Non, je ne regrette rien
No, I don't feel sorry
About nothing
Ni le bien qu'on m'a fait
Not the good things people have done to me
Ni le mal tout ça m'est bien égal
Not the bad things, it's all the same to me
Non, rien de rien
No, nothing of nothing
Non, Je ne regrette rien
No, I don't feel sorry
About nothing
C'est payé, balayé, oublié
It's paid for, removed, forgotten
Je me fous do passé
I'm happy of the past
Avec mes souvenirs
With my memories
J'ai allumé le feu
I lit up the fire
Mes chagrins, mes plaisirs
My troubles, my pleasures
Je n'ai plus besoin d'eux
I don't need them anymore
Balayées les amours
Broomed away my love stories
Et tous leurs trémolos
And all their tremble
Balayés pour toujours
Broomed away for always
Je repars à zéro
I start again from zero
Non, rien de rien
No, nothing of nothing
Non, je ne regrette rien
No, I don't feel sorry
About nothing
Ni le bien qu'on m'a fait
Not the good things people have done to me
Ni le mal tout ça m'est bien égal
Not the bad things, it's all the same to me
Non, rien de rien
No, nothing of nothing
Non, je ne regrette rien
No, I don't feel sorry
About nothing
Car ma vie, car mes joies
Because my life, my joys
Aujourd'hui, ça commence avec toi
Today, they begin with you
Bonne journée à tous et bonne année,
Ella (who doesn't regret living in Nice!)
Posted by: Ella Dyer | 07 January 2022 at 09:24 AM
What a nice thought to share precious stories from your readers. This special story from Amy is a timely reminder of the importance of each moment with family members and how humour can be such a great bonus. Thanks. Jennie in NZ
Posted by: Jennifer Phillipps | 07 January 2022 at 09:47 AM
Stunning. Perfect. Perfect writing. Perfect mother. Perfect daughter. Perfect philosophy. Perfect. Thank you for sharing this glimpse into your perfect love. It was an honor to read.
Posted by: jackie | 07 January 2022 at 10:53 AM
Deeply touching and beautiful, most of my my words fail me, except to say a heartfelt thank you!
Posted by: Anna | 07 January 2022 at 11:51 AM
A beautiful story of love that brought forth a few tears.
Posted by: Alan | 07 January 2022 at 01:19 PM
What a beautiful story, Amy. How fortunate you and your mother were to be able to spend her last days together and share your memories and your love. You will never have any "regerts" and you will have her enduring love. Judy Wilcox
Posted by: judy Wilcox | 07 January 2022 at 01:54 PM
Such a beautiful story. Thank you.
Posted by: Maudie | 07 January 2022 at 02:19 PM
Thank you, Amy for such a heartwarming share. Thank you, Corey for sharing it. Starting today I am having No Regerts. Jennie Q
Posted by: Jennie | 07 January 2022 at 02:37 PM
Oh, the care Amy gave to her mom is so beautiful. I love this story. God Bless You, Amy. We all should live with "no regerts"! Thank you for sharing.
Posted by: Angela Vular | 07 January 2022 at 03:26 PM
The love and laughter you shared with your mom, despite the sad times is inspiring. No regerts! (I also took care of my mom for her last few months and the funny moments were the best.)
Posted by: Lil | 07 January 2022 at 05:50 PM
Amy, I second every word/sentiment of Jackie’s.
Just perfect. Thank you for sharing your love of your mother with us. I’m sorry for your loss.
Posted by: Momof5 | 07 January 2022 at 06:10 PM
Amy,
I lost my Mom at a very young age, truly effecting my life. I thank God that you had this opportunity to share these precious moments to usher Mom's journey to her Heavenly Home.
Thank you so, so much and sympathies to you and Dad...Prayers and Love, Karen from Wisconsin,
Posted by: Karen from wisconsin | 07 January 2022 at 07:22 PM
Beautiful post, Amy. Thank you. Bless your dear heart.
Posted by: Kathy | 07 January 2022 at 09:17 PM
This is just wonderful.
Posted by: Susan | 07 January 2022 at 11:08 PM
Corey, Once again a perfect post. Just what I needed today. Thank you for all your efforts to keep us focused on love and giving during these past difficult years.
Posted by: Linda | 08 January 2022 at 02:27 AM