October 17, 2007 : We arrived in time to say goodbye….

Dear friends,My mother passed away peacefully on October 16 at 11:38 pm.

Christina and I both arrived to her bedside Tuesday evening. Mom's condition had been declining rapidly for the last few days and Rosie (her hospice caregiver) informed us that mom was dying - that evening. She had held on bravely awaiting our arrival and we were each able to say what we wanted to say to her. She was aware of our presence and responded both to our voice and our touch. She had made her peace with her Maker and we each made our peace with one another. I spoken softly and kindly to her for about 10 minutes, then I placed my face in her hand and she pressed my face to her chest. I know that she had heard all that I said to her and there was peace between us. I placed her hand on my forehead and received the blessing from her. After this, I was not sure whether to stay or go. Christina wanted to stay and Rosie kindly encouraged us to get some rest as we had both travelled many hours to arrive at mom’s bedside.

Rosie advised us to go home and rest for a while – that she would call if mom began to fade. Both Christina and I were confident that she would see the morning. We got a call about an hour later and rushed back to her side. Mom had just breathed her last as we arrived; this was at 11:38 last night. All in all, I think Rosie was right to send us home for a brief hour. I don't know that watching her die would have been easy to bear.

We will go to the mortuary Thurs morning to make the arrangements. A memorial service will be held next Wednesday morning so that all her friends can attend and I want us to treat it as a celebration of her life.