My mother passed away yesterday. She had dealt with a problem leg for years that caused her a great deal of pain. Last spring she fell several times so we reluctantly helped her and dad to move into an assisted living home into a 2-bedroom apartment. After a few more falls last month, we put her on hospice and she became unable to get out of bed and steadily declined over the last three weeks. Last Saturday we moved her and dad back home, where Tom and I had moved for the eventuality of them being able to return home, but we weren't expecting them to return home under these conditions. We put her hospital bed in the front room where dad stayed by her side in his recliner night and day, tenderly holding her hand. At 6 a.m. yesterday, he called to Tom and me, who were on our respective computers, unable to sleep. We ran out and he told us that she had stopped breathing. I gently moved her other hand and she gave a last gasp. We thought maybe she would begin breathing again, but it was her last gasp. Rolayne immediately came over and Ross/Robin and Kaye arrived a few hours later. Clyde and Bonnie began their journey down from Washington.
It was touching to find in my email this morning, after all the turmoil of yesterday, a video that Lisa's husband Nathan had done, putting some of our childhood home videos into digital format. I watched that this morning and was able to see mom as a young mother, walking normally and smiling. Thanks, Nathan, for putting that together.
Our thoughts are that her son Brent, who passed away 10 years ago, and her parents, had a joyful reunion with her, and we are glad that she is free from the pain of her mortal existence and can dance again.
She will be missed.
