I visited Mom in the nursing home on Friday. Things were as usual. One sister visited her on Monday and played cards with her. The two other sisters who visited on Tuesday and Wednesday found her not herself at all, and complaining of back pain. Tonight the nursing home sent her to the hospital. She died en route.
I am so grateful that Mom had only a couple of days of not being herself and being in some pain. Lingering would have been very sad.
I am grateful to have had her in our lives so long. She was 96. Although she had dementia she knew us to the end and enjoyed our visits.
I am grateful that she accepted the nursing home and even seemed to enjoy it. She made friends. She was content.
I am grateful that my three sisters and I cooperated fully in taking care of her. We each emailed a brief report of every visit.
The last topic regarding our mother that my sisters and I emailed each other about was whether to use cloth or plastic table clothes at a family dinner we were organizing at the nursing home for her this month. I am grateful she was content and our focus could be on her pleasure right up to the end.
There are memories.
You shared your Mom with us
and yourself. So grateful here.
Sorry she is gone from you.
Pleased to hear you will not leave us here.
I am so ,so sorry you lost your dear Mother.What a wonderful job you and your sisters did .My prayers are with you tonight and in the days ahead.I hope you will continue to stay here.You have helped me many times.Take care and God Bless You,Lu
I opted not to go view my mother's body. I guess that is just not meaningful to me.
I did go to the nursing home to help a sister empty Ma's room. It was meaningful to me to hug her special friends and to talk to some of the people who provided care for her. She was well liked.
I'll be staying around on this forum.
When Heaven's light shines brightly
She will part the clouds above,
And when you see the sunbeam
She is sending you her love.
I know. It's going to be tough for Jeanne when they do come around. She may really need her family.
There will probably be little comfort when the Holidays roll around.
Look for the little things that your mom will "leave" you to let you know she is fine. If you find money, especially pennies, that's the message that she is allright.
"It's amazing, Molly. The love inside - you take it with you".
~ Sam Wheat, Ghost.