The Smiley Smile Message Board

Hello as some of you know my mother passed away on the first after a very long battle against diabetes and kidney failure. I really didn't know whether to post anything on here about it but as you are all my friends I decided now was the time. I guess I haven't talked much about her on here but I was the one who made her a Beach Boys fan. She didn't really like them growing up but when I got into them in 1988 she agreed to give them a fair chance. It was "Girl Don't Tell Me" that turned her around and within a year or so they had become one of her favorite groups. She went to see them with me in 1989 and really loved going to the show. Her health prevented her from buying tickets to see them on the reunion tour but I know she enjoyed seeing them together again on the Grammy's this year The last LP she played was the two LP vinyl version of the Smile Sessions I had sent her a few months ago. You see we had a lot in common including having vinyl as our preferred format. She was 58 and we knew the end would come soon, but she died at home in her sleep. She had been in very good spirits and we enjoyed our final conversations together very much. I of course wish she would have seen more of my books come out, or could have been there for my wedding in June but there was question whether she could even come due to how bad things were going the last few months. Now I know she will be there. I want to give my thanks to all of you who have been in touch and I am glad I have so many people on here that care.

my condolances :(

Very sorry to hear about this. Be glad that you got her interested in The Beach Boys - their music is such a joy of life and I'm glad she got to enjoy it.

I hope you're pulling through this alright.

My deepest condolences, Mike. 58 seems way too young. That is so cool that we're able to share a love of the Beach Boys music.

I'm so sorry. Hope you and you and your family are ok.

We are all doing OK. We knew she could go anytime over the last five years, but when it happens you still are sad. It was great that I got to expose her to so much good music over her life, I think my success with her got me writing about The Beach Boys in the first place. I just like spreading the music and seeing people get happy from it. That's all it's about isn't it and sharing how much we get from music is why we are all here. Thank you all for your kind words.

sorry for your loss mike. i lost my mom in 2004.
58...man that is my age.

Thank you Steve.

Sorry for the loss. 58 is too young to go. Only 5-6 years older than my own parents... :-[

Mike: I lost my mother in June of last year. She was also 58. Even though she had a chronic illness, her passing was unexpected. It has been a little over eight months, and the shock has worn off, but I would be lying if I said it has become easy or comfortable.

The one thing that has sustained me -- and I hope it sustains you, too -- is that you will find your mom is incredibly present in your life now. Because even though you may not be able to speak to her directly, she's part of your memory and experience and mind in a very real way. Please take care.

That's exactly how I feel and it really is getting me through. Sorry you went through so something so similar and thank you for sharing this.

I'm only new on here so haven't heard about your mothers illness, but I'm very sorry for your loss.  It sounds like you had a great bond that I'm sure hasn't stopped because she has passed on.  Thank you for sharing your love of music with others.  Take care.

Thank you that's very nice of you.

Mike your one of the best members on this board. Sorry for your loss, my condolences. I'll say a prayer for you and your family.

Thank you that is really kind of you.