But the heavy stroke which most of all distresses me is my dear Mother. I cannot overcome my too selfish sorrow, all her tenderness towards me, her care and anxiety for my welfare at all times, her watchfulness over my infant years, her advice and instruction in maturer age; all, all indie her memory to me, and lighten my sorrow for her loss. At the same time I know a patient submission is my Duty. I will strive to obtain it! But the lenient hand of time alone can blunt the keen Edge of Sorrow. He who deign to weep over a departed Friend, will surely forgive a sorrow which at all times desires to be bounded and restrained, by a firm Belief that a Being of infinite wisdom and unbounded Goodness, will carve out my portion in tender mercy towards me! Yea tho he slays me I will trust in him said holy Job. What tho his corrective Hand hath been stretched against me; I will not murder. Tho earthly comforts are taken away I will not repine, he who gave them has surely a right to limit their Duration, and has continued them to me much longer than deserved. I might have been stripped of my children as many others have been. I might o! Forbid it Heaven, I might have been left a solitary widow. Still I have many blessing left, many comforts to be thankful for, and rejoice in. I am not left to mourn as one without hope. My dear parent knew in whom she had Believed... The violence of her disease soon weakened her so that she was unable to converse, but whenever she could speak, she testified her willingness to leave the world and an entire resignation to the Divine Will. She retained her Senses to the last moment of her Existence, and departed the world with an easy tranquility, trusting in the merits of a Redeemer," (p. 81 & 82).

My Dearest Friend: Letters of Abigail and John Adams