Be Free. Be At Peace.

April 5, 2026

2–4 minutes

You carried a burden that was not yours to carry. It was too much for you. I did my best to help you carry it. It was too much for me too. You were indeed a force of nature. Shakti. Ammoru. The source. My origin. Today, I honor all that, what you also wanted to be, and I let this burden go for the both of us. Balance is restored. I love you. Happy Easter, Mom, “M”, Amma. Peace and Love. ☮️ 🌎✌🏼🙏 ❤️

ps. You had a dream of being a writer. This has been playing at the playhouse near where I walk. Something tells me you two are talking. Thomas Merton and the band Kansas in my YouTube feed? Synchronicity? Police? Ghost in the Machine? 😉 🤣 ❤️

Pain As Teacher:

Sometimes the divine arrives in our lives as the destroyer. All we see, all our reaction is toward the destructive force. But inside that destruction are the seeds of creation. The divine. And inside that divine is a heart that is as innocent as a child. We just need to look past the pain and destruction. They are veils. When the veil is lifted, you see only truth. That truth is inside us. We have to look. When we see it in ourselves, we see it not just in others but in all things. Your grandson bore witness to the inexplicable onset of physical pain that nearly put me in the hospital between December 2nd to 4th. It taught me the truth. My pain, is my responsibility.

Tribute:

Anyone who knew “M” knew her passion for Leon Russell. Given the day and the release of all this pain there is no better song to play in her honor. This one’s for you mom.

About my Mom:

Marilyn Elaine Kroger (March 1, 1944 – December 3, 2025) was a cornerstone of both her family and the University of Cincinnati community, where she was known for her “insanely smart” mind and nurturing spirit.

A Legacy of Support at the University of Cincinnati

Decades of Service: Marilyn dedicated many years to the University of Cincinnati, specifically serving as an Admissions Coordinator in the Psychology Department.
Guidance and Mentorship: In her professional role, she was a vital resource for students and faculty alike, using her sharp intellect and organizational skills to guide the department’s admissions process.

A “Second Mother” to Many

Warm and Welcoming: Friends and family remember her as someone who “never knew a stranger” and possessed a “sweet and kind personality” that made everyone feel at home.
The “Mom M” Spirit: She was known for treating her sons’ friends like her own children, often signing off messages with “Love you sweet girl, Mom M”.
Avid Storyteller: She was an avid reader with a “wicked imagination” who could captivate others with stories for hours.

Life and Family

Partnership with Jim: She was the devoted wife of James Armond Kroger for many decades until his passing in 2011.
Dedicated Mother: She was a loving mother to Jon-Paul and Kevin, and she took immense pride in her grandson, Jay Surya.
Cincinnati Resident: She spent much of her life in the Cincinnati area, eventually residing in Mason, Ohio, in her later years.