My flight was scheduled for Saturday, February 4th. On Friday the 3rd, my niece called to say that my mom had had a stroke and was in the hospital. On Saturday, while sitting in the Denver airport waiting for my connecting flight to Orange County, I got another call to say that Mom was deteriorating quickly. I didn't know if I would reach her in time.
By the grace of God she was still alive when I reached Orange County. My
brother and niece took me straight to the hospital to see her, and except for a few hours of sleep at my dad's house, I have been at the hospital ever since.
As of Monday night, my mom is still hanging on to life by a very slender thread. The stroke was a massive one, paralyzing the left side of her body and causing bleeding into the brain. She is in a near-coma, with only hours or days left to her. At least one family member is with her at all times. We hold her hand, we talk to her, we pray for her, we sing to her, we read scriptures to her. We tell her it's okay for her to let go. We remind her of the wonders that are waiting for her in heaven.
She lies in a morphine-induced sleep. Every time she draws another laboured breath, I wonder if it will be her last. As I watch the sun go down, and the colour in the sky fades to grey, I reflect that her light is dying too. (But I know she will wake to a greater light than any this earth can boast.)
Meanwhile, we wait.
I love you, Mom.
 |
| Taken from my mom's hospital room window |
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Our thoughts and prayers are with you all
ReplyDeleteGod bless you through these days as you release your loved Mum into His tender care
xx
Oh my dear! You have brought tears to my eyes this morning and reminded me of some bedsides where I sat and waited. It is so difficult for all of you, but I am so glad that you arrived in time to sit by that bed.
ReplyDeleteWith all good wishes
Pomona x
Sue, I, like Pomona, have tears in my eyes. I can only begin to imagine the tension and sorrow you are suffering. These are difficult times for you but there is so much love and strength surrounding you all.
ReplyDeleteMy thoughts are with you.
Stephanie
My thoughts are with you all today,
DeleteSP
Oh my dear Sue, I too have damp eyes and the memory of loved ones passing from this world to another. I shall be holding you all in my heart in the difficult days ahead x
ReplyDeleteOh Sue, I'm so sorry. I hope it's peaceful. xx
ReplyDeleteMy thoughts are with you, I understand too well your pain and I pray for your Mom, your family and yourself. God bless you all xxx
ReplyDeleteMy thoughts and prayers are with you, I know what you're going through, my Mom died before I could get to her and I never had the chance to say good-by. So hold her hand and send her home with your love.
ReplyDeleteMy thoughts are with you and your family as you go through this difficult time.
ReplyDeleteOh Sue, I am so sorry. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
ReplyDeleteI am so sorry. May her passing be a peaceful one. But remember, the light never really dies. The sun just comes up in another place.
ReplyDeleteMy thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
ReplyDeleteHow good that you can be with your mom now. My thoughts are with you!
ReplyDeleteI knew something was up with you. Had now clue it would be this, though. My thoughts and prayers join all the others for strength, comfort and togetherness for your whole family as you go through this. I, too, am so happy you are able to be with her.
ReplyDeleteSo sorry to read this Sue. Wishing you strength to carry on.
ReplyDeleteOh you poor thing, and the rest of your family. I am so pleased, though, that you were able to make it to her in time. I will be thinking of you. Love, Juliex
ReplyDeleteThank you all, so very much, for your loving comments, thoughts, and prayers. An hour after I posted the above, my mom slipped away peacefully. My brother and dad were with her. We are all very tired but very relieved and happy for her.
ReplyDeleteOh, Sue!!! What a blessing the timing of your trip turned out to be!!! I am praying for you and your family as you walk these tender times. I suspect you are very close to me....I know you have family nearby, but if there is anything I can do for you do not hesitate to ask!!! (((((((Huges!!!!!)))))))
ReplyDeleteI am so sorry! I went through a similar situation with my mom passing away (very peacefully) in October. Though she was 90 years old, and led a wonderful, lovely life, it was not and has not been easy. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
ReplyDeleteGentle hugs to you and to the rest of your family...
ReplyDeleteI am so sorry for your loss, to lose one's Mother is gut wrenching. Keep your memories close and they will help. My Mom has been gone 19 years now, she died much too soon.
ReplyDeleteBut I'll hold her in my heart always.
I don't have any better, comforting words than what's already been said.
ReplyDeleteIt's so hard to lose a beloved mother.
I am glad she was able to go peacefully. (hugs).
Oh, Sue. I'm so late reading this. And I'm so sorry that your mom is gone, but thank God you had the chance to be there with her. I can't imagine what the loss must feel like; if we're very lucky, our mothers are at the very heart of our lives. You and all your family are in my prayers.
ReplyDelete