Comment from jose antonio
Time: April 29, 2007, 4:20 pm

I would like to send my sympathy (and condolences I think is correct). Your mother would have been proud of you I believe because you took her advice. And she loved la mezquita which I would say is a wonder of the world.

Comment from ValenciaSon
Time: April 29, 2007, 4:45 pm

Ben, please accept my deepest condolences for you and your family on your loss.

Comment from Markus Binder
Time: April 29, 2007, 5:24 pm

I would like to express my deepest sympathy to you and your family about your loss.

Comment from Stuart
Time: April 29, 2007, 5:57 pm

As above, not much more one can say. Your mother sounds like she was a great person.

Comment from Edith
Time: April 29, 2007, 5:59 pm

Ben, my deepest condolances for you and your loved ones. Your mother appears to have given you something very precious: a positive outlook in life. She died too young but in a way she will be with you forever.

Comment from Pilar Membrillera
Time: April 29, 2007, 6:08 pm

Quiero hacer un homenaje desde aqui a tu madre, Lou, la persona, junto con tu padre, que mas me ha ayudado a asentar mi vida en Inglaterra, la mejor amiga que encontré en este pais. Compartimos inolvidables cenas, paseos y buenos momentos, era la persona con mas entusiasmo y ganas de disfrutar y hacer disfrutar la vida que he conocido.
Como tu dijiste en el funeral, ella está en su maravilloso jardin, en los árboles y en la Naturaleza explosiva de la primavera que nos rodea, pero la vida es mucho mas triste sin ella. Besos

Comment from Sully
Time: April 29, 2007, 6:23 pm

Ben, I’m very sorry to hear about your loss. You and your family have my deep sympathies. Thank you for your post - it’s very touching.

Comment from Jon Hundt
Time: April 29, 2007, 6:26 pm

“…so that now I can’t go anywhere at the beginning or end of the day without looking at how the changing angle of the sun causes everything it falls upon to change for the better …

that’s a beautiful thing to know, and to share”; your ma must be full of grace and beauty.

Now every time you see that special light in the morning and in the evening you will know that she is there - making the world beautiful, surprising, and special for you.

Comment from Naomi
Time: April 29, 2007, 6:57 pm

This photo is VERY “mum”. It brought her back. Thanks Ben. She was incredibly spiritual and this photo illustrates perfectly all that we loved about her and all she loved about life. She will remain in all that I see!

Comment from Matthew
Time: April 29, 2007, 7:31 pm

Condolences, Ben. They have great sunsets in Rioja if you fancy a trip one day.

Comment from Andy
Time: April 29, 2007, 7:43 pm

I’m very sad to hear this, my deepest sympathy to you.

Comment from Margot
Time: April 29, 2007, 8:37 pm

O Ben - I’m so sorry to read about your great loss. thank you for sharing your mother with us through your beautiful thoughts; her vitality lives on.

Comment from Lesley
Time: April 29, 2007, 9:12 pm

Ben, I’m terribly sorry to hear about your mother’s death.
Tomorrow, I will get out and do something.

Comment from Katie
Time: April 29, 2007, 10:57 pm

what a beautiful post. i’ll hold your mother in the light.

Comment from Phillip
Time: April 29, 2007, 11:35 pm

Ben, my deepest sympathy. This is a beautiful and moving eulogy. I wish you and your family peace.

Comment from PattyN
Time: April 30, 2007, 12:15 am

Ben, thank you for sharing some of your mother’s wisdom with us. My deepest sympathy.

Comment from Neskadebilbao
Time: April 30, 2007, 2:39 am

Remember all the good times and memories you cherish. Your mum will never be gone…she will always be with you. Wishing you and your family the best-Cuídense mucho

Comment from rod
Time: April 30, 2007, 8:13 am

I’m sorry to hear this news, Ben. This photo and post is a very beautiful tribute to her.

Comment from Ben
Time: April 30, 2007, 9:01 am

Many thanks to all of you for your kind comments.

Comment from Helen Palmer
Time: April 30, 2007, 9:26 am

What a lovely post. Thank you so much for sharing in your time of sadness. You are also so lucky to have had those wonderful times with your Mum, that will live with you always.

Comment from ryan
Time: April 30, 2007, 10:00 am

great photo, great advice, great mother

Comment from Rebekah
Time: April 30, 2007, 11:48 am

Thanks for this Ben, I always loved this picture of Mum and now it seems even more lovely than ever. All those things you say about her are precisely the essence of how we will all remember her. Just like her being called a “life enhancer” by our friend John Lourie at the funeral, and that’s exactly what she was and is.
She was an outstandingly positive and inspiring person.

Comment from Jill
Time: April 30, 2007, 1:29 pm

A moving and beautiful post Ben. My heartfelt sympathies to you and your family on your sad loss.
Jill

Comment from Keith
Time: April 30, 2007, 4:28 pm

words can never really express how you feel on these occasions but that was indeed an inspiring post. My best wishes to you and yours.

Comment from tad
Time: April 30, 2007, 6:47 pm

Terribly sad news Ben, but thanks for sharing a small part of your Mum’s wisdom with all of us.

Comment from gema
Time: April 30, 2007, 9:26 pm

mi mas sincero pesame Ben, animo!!!

Comment from Tali
Time: April 30, 2007, 10:54 pm

My sincerest condolences for you and your family Ben. Its a beautiful photo and accompanied by beautiful and heartful words. Tali

Comment from Lloyd & Darcy
Time: May 1, 2007, 3:22 am

Ben - Very sorry to hear about your mother’s passing. Thanks for sharing with us how she inspired you. Clearly her inspiration continues. Sixty-three is relatively young these days. Again, sorry for your loss.

Comment from greytop
Time: May 1, 2007, 9:48 am

My sympathy Ben. Her spirit and values lives on in you I think, and that is all we can ask from life. May you get through this experience and emerge a stronger person. Brian.

Comment from Pepino (Dave Hall)
Time: May 1, 2007, 10:58 am

Beautiful tribute Ben. Thanks for sharing it a little bit of what your mum was about with everyone here. Dave x

Comment from luke
Time: May 1, 2007, 11:24 am

Your mother’s words are living on; thank you for sharing them.

Comment from eric
Time: May 1, 2007, 12:24 pm

sincere condolences, ben. from what you said about your mother, it seems she has given you all of those gifts- an appreciation for the subtle and beautiful things that make life wonderful. your enthusiasm has inspired all of us here.

Comment from Theresa
Time: May 1, 2007, 12:48 pm

My most sincere condolences, Ben. That’s a lovely picture and it sounds as though your mother must have been a wonderful person. Looks like she left you some beautiful memories and some wise advice to follow.

Comment from Janelle
Time: May 1, 2007, 3:29 pm

My greatest sympathies to you, Ben, and thank you for sharing this tribute to your mother. I think we can all learn a lot from her.

Comment from Annette
Time: May 1, 2007, 4:36 pm

My sincerest condolences to you and your family, Ben. Thanks for sharing your inspiring and beautiful tribute to her.

Comment from john c
Time: May 1, 2007, 11:43 pm

A lovely tribute to Lou, Ben: l remember us being in Cordoba at that time, precious moments of tranquility in the early morning with shafts of light falling through the Mezquita rooflights, before the whole world arrived and some of the magic left and so did we.
Precious memories.

Comment from Salam
Time: May 2, 2007, 2:50 am

Ben,
I’d like to say I’m terribly sorry to hear about your mother..she truly sounded like a great women, and I’m sure she would’ve been proud of you!

Comment from NavigatingNomad
Time: May 2, 2007, 1:11 pm

Wow, very moved. Beautiful writing & photograph… Lost my mom too. Peace be with you.

Comment from brenda
Time: May 2, 2007, 5:38 pm

Ben
Mums are very special people so I know you must be feeling a mixture of sadness and fond memories. I particularly appreciated the fact that you continued to be so enthusiastic, hospitable and kind to everyone at our weekend in Madrid whilst having the sad loss hanging over you and Marina.
Take care, you are both special people. Your Mum must have been like you!

Comment from Ben
Time: May 3, 2007, 3:12 pm

Ben
Many condolences, remember the good times and happiness.

Ben.

Comment from Al & Raquel
Time: May 4, 2007, 9:36 pm

Ben, tu madre era una persona estupenda y sabemos que tu sigues el mismo camino porque eres muy sensible y especial. Sentimos mucho tu perdida. Un beso muy fuerte.

Comment from Alison
Time: May 4, 2007, 10:44 pm

My mother gives me the exact same advice, here’s to mothers….

Comment from pt
Time: May 5, 2007, 3:58 am

condolences to you. very touching post and picture. she (and your dad) raised you very well. peace….

Comment from Ben
Time: May 5, 2007, 10:51 am

Thanks again to all those who have left such wonderful comments on this post.

Comment from Penny
Time: May 5, 2007, 7:10 pm

Your mother was a beautiful lady and raised a great son! My deepest sympathies to you on her loss. She lives on in you. This picture you have posted of her is a glorious tribute to her physical and spiritual beauty.

Comment from coops
Time: May 6, 2007, 11:58 am

{{Ben & Marina}} sincere condolences. You paint a beautiful portrait of your mum with both your words and your photo.

Comment from maureen O’Kane
Time: May 7, 2007, 12:03 am

I’m very sorry to hear about your loss, Ben. Your tribute was very moving indeed. In sympathy, Maureen.

Comment from richardksa
Time: May 7, 2007, 3:45 pm

Although you told me your sad news a while ago, Ben, I have been away but feel that even this late I too should add my name to this list of condolence. Your mother’s wise words are reflected in all that you do for this site and we have been better for it. She couldn’t have wished for a better son and heir to het legacy.

Comment from Rafe
Time: May 9, 2007, 11:06 pm

It’s an inspirational photo Ben, and a beautiful way to remember your mum. I’m sorry for your loss, and here’s to mothers as Alison said.
Rafe.

Comment from Mark
Time: May 10, 2007, 8:22 am

So sorry to hear about your loss, Ben. One of the things that draws me back to this blog time and time again is your ability to constantly find an interesting perspective on things that you experience in your daily life and then articulate it so clearly. It’s a tribute to your mother that she taught you such a valuable skill.

Comment from Alan
Time: May 10, 2007, 12:27 pm

I haven’t been around for a bit so I have just read your sad news. I’d like to offer my deepest sympathy to you at this difficult time. I have a close friend who has just lost his mother too and I can’t possibly imagine how it feels. If there is anything I can do, please let me know.

Comment from celia s
Time: May 14, 2007, 12:46 am

Deepest condolences,Ben.
I have been without my computer for a while and have just been catching up on previous posts.
Thinking about you and your family at this difficult time.

Comment from Martine
Time: May 15, 2007, 6:29 pm

Her life through you continues to touch people all over the world. Deepest sympathies and warmest wishes.