Elly and Barbara

Back in April, I was watching news coverage of the passing of former First Lady Barbara Bush when my six year old granddaughter came downstairs.

She was curious about Mrs. Bush when her photo came on the screen.

After explaining who she was, Mariana said "Oh, she looks just like Nana."

Elly Sennott

I told my Mother about Mariana's comment the next time I saw her. She smiled and said that back when the Bushes were in office, people did say that she looked like the First Lady, because of her perfectly coiffed white hair and penchant for wearing pearls. Mom added that folks also said that my Dad sort of looked like the President, because of his thinning brown hair and the gold wire rim glasses that they both wore.

Mrs. Bush -- who was often quoted after she died as saying: "at the end of your life, you will never regret not having passed one more test, not winning one more verdict or not closing one more deal. You will regret time not spent with a husband, a friend, a children, or a parent" -- clearly left this life on her own terms declining further treatment and speaking to friends on the phone the night before she passed.

I've been thinking of Mrs. Bush as I try to process the passing of my Mother, who died last week at the age of 90. She was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother and great grandmother, who placed family first. Mom seemed to be the happiest at a family event, whether a holiday or random gathering.

She had been in failing health for the last few months. Less interested in talking on the phone. Sleeping more. Losing her appetite. Needing additional medication.

Barbara Bush

But in the end -- like Mrs. Bush -- I believe she decided that it was her time. A staunch Irish Catholic, she asked to see a priest. Her best friend of 50 plus years visited the same day. Less than 48 hours later, she left us.

I'm sure she was pleased and proud that her four great grandchildren -- the oldest is 10 -- were at her wake and brought up the gifts at her funeral Mass.

She's now reunited with my Dad at the National Cemetery in Bourne after being apart for almost 10 years. While she misses all of us, I'm sure she's very happy to see him again.

Now the tough part comes. Who am I going to brag to about Mari's latest real estate success; Meg's most recent promotion, and the funny thing Mariana just said? No matter how old a boy is, sometimes he just needs to talk to his Mother. Who cares enough now to listen?

It's all part of growing up, I know. I was lucky to have my Mother for as long as I did.

At the gathering following the committal service, a friend joked with me that as the oldest of three sons, I was now the "patriarch" of the family.

I'm not ready for that.