I see you all are doing very well on your exercising and diets. Now, I need to do the same thing. I will most likely do stairs today for about 30 min.
Precious Mom:
Got to Mom on Friday (1/8/2010) around 8:00 pm. Greeted everyone and went to Mom's room. Saw right away she was breathing with an opened mouth. Was afraid to hug her, didn't want to hurt her in any way. She had her eyes open, so I just stroked her face and told her I was here, and was so glad to see her. That I missed her so very much and love her.
The atmosphere was a mixture of emotions. Laughter, crying, snapping at each other, sorrow and much faith that God's will be done soon, so Momma wouldn't suffer.
A little history of Mom. She loved to sing and she was very good at it. She had nine of us and so we got to know some of her favorite songs she used to sing to us. Now it was our turn to sing to her. Everyone was there except two of the nine, for reasons of there own, but I know their spirits were with her. Also during her years with Alzheimer, never once did she forget Dad. She always knew and recognized him. Isn't that amazing!
We sang, prayed, touched her warmly, talked to her, on how great a mother she is. She was my hero. The best Mom anyone could have. Always was there for us, taught us right from wrong, and loved us unconditionally. A true Mother always. I've been so lucky to have such a mother. All of us we found out, knew that we were her favorite. How cool is that? To find time for each and every one of us and to make sure we understood with certainty that we were loved.
We stayed up very late that night then made our beds. We girls all slept in the same room together, and boys had a room of their own. Chatted, laughed, told funny stories. Then finally just couldn't keep our eyes open any longer.
The next morning we all noticed Mom was breathing deeper and heavier. From the top of her nose between the eyes down to her chin, was pasty looking. I knew (from taking care of a few elderlies) that was a sign that her death would be near. All during the day her eyes were never opened and she continued to breath deeper and longer, faster and louder. We all said our good byes and how proud we are of her. That she can let go now if she wanted to.
Near 7:00 pm we knew the end was any moment now and Dad came in and started praying The Lord's Prayer. We all joined in. As soon as she heard Dad, she opened her eyes and looked right at him. You could see she was trying to smile at him. He put his hand on her forehead and I put my hand over his and he told her that he will be with her very soon. That she was the greatest little girl he's ever known. We all told her, not to worry about Dad, that we would take care of him. Dad again said that he would meet her there very soon. A few more breaths while looking at Dad, she closed her eyes and died.
All her children, if not physically then by spirit and husband was with her, she was not alone and she was so loved, not only by us, but by anyone who ever met her. She had that charming way about her. It was the most beautiful death I've ever witnessed.
They took Mom away about an hour after she passed.
Believe me, I'm going to miss her with all my heart, but I also know that everyone has to go sometime and the way she went was wonderful. I hope I can go like that as well someday.
The next day,most of us went to Sunnyside to prepare her to be buried there next to one of her son's (David, one of my brothers) and her parents and in-laws. All very close to one an other.
We had a day of viewing and prayed a Rosary for Mom on Friday (2/15) in the Funeral home. Then she had a Mass for her on Sunday (2/16). And then went to the cometary through the town of Sunnyside with a police escort. Said our last goodbyes and went to a place for a final gathering with friends and family. We ate, had fond memories. There was a picture show that my niece had put together, showing Mom very young, meeting Dad, pictures of their wedding, each child she gave birth to, right up until her final days. That was really hard to take, but was needed to start the grieving process.
Now for the grieving part, which sucks, but I'm doing better as the days come and go. There are good days and bad days. My dear Mommy, I'm missing her so much.
I hope you all remember to hug your loved ones tight and make sure you tell them you love them.
Janie
