Unexcused Absences

Kent’s mother passed away on Sunday.  We miss her terribly, and celebrate her memory.

Ruth & Kent

Ruth Christian passed away December 19, 2010 following a massive cerebral hemorrhage. Her passing was painless; she simply never awoke from her afternoon nap. She bravely fought the encroachment of Alzheimer’s for years. She leaves behind an enormous hole, impossible to fill, in my life and the lives of her son (my husband) Kent and her husband of 50 years, Don.

I first met my future mother-in-law skiing. Kind and welcoming, she and her husband Don, immediately took me in. From the moment I ‘stole’ her son away until the last time I saw her, she made me understand I was part of her family. I am so thankful for the years of fun, laughter and skiing we had together. She is an inspiration both for hard work (she certainly worked hard), and for enjoying life (when she wasn’t working).

Ruth & Don's Wedding

Ruth had great adventures over the years, too many to recount here, traveling before it was trendy or easy. She originally envisioned DC as an overnight stop en route on a driving adventure along on the newly completed Pan American Highway. The folks who emptied her car that night and stole everything she owned will never know how grateful we all are that Ruth was forced to stay here and work, ultimately meeting her future husband Don at the corner of 20th and Sunderland Place (Dupont Circle)! That’s right, Kent owes his existence to inner-city car thieves.

Ruth lived every day at full throttle, waking early and heading to bed late. I remember she carried a paperback book in her purse, telling me she intended to finish it when she had break. She carried that book in her purse for 30 years … and never finished it. There was always work to do, friends to see, parties to throw, and fun to be had. I don’t think Ruth was ever bored in her entire life.

I also know of and experienced her legendary generosity, which occasionally bordered on what can only be called stupidity now that she isn’t here to hear me say it. Never a big one for causes, Ruth’s attention, courage, and considerable energy were focused on people, not organizations. During the race riots in DC following the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., she loaded up her car with Kent’s baby things, drove along streets with burning buildings and riots, found a young mother and her son who needed a hand, and gave them Kent’s outgrown clothing and toys. When she saw a problem she could fix, she simply took care of it.

Kent & Ruth Ski Racing Feb 1980

Ruth loved the outdoors and considered hiking with Don to be the best form of vacation. To keep up with Kent, she began ski-racing in her 50’s, competed nationally, and continued to ski into her 80’s. Ruth gave me my first pair of skis, took me through my first race, constantly encouraged me in my favorite sport, and beat me on the race course into her mid 70’s.

Ruth had some great sayings over the years. Here are some of my favorites:
-When trying to get Kent and me to go do something fun when we had chores, “I used to worry that I had to have the house clean before Don and I went somewhere to have fun, and I wasted a lot of time.”
-On eating ice cream, “Oh, I’m just trying to fill in my wrinkles.”
-And a favorite of all of us over the years, “Why don’t you join us for dinner? I was about to …” a)”put on a ham”, b)”grill a steak” or c)”put this in the oven.”

Kent & Heather's Wedding

Ruth will be deeply missed by those she left behind. We can celebrate her memory by opening up our homes and kitchens to friends, old and new, or by setting out on an adventure with a willingness to work hard and with an open heart.

We will hold a wake here in the DC area in January. Her ashes will be returned to her beloved Canada later this year.