Saturday, November 27, 2010

Not Just Another Day

Monday will mark the 2nd anniversary of my Mom's untimely death..........

 It was Saturday, November 29, 2008.  The days prior to this day had been extremely busy for me.  Our daughter had given birth to our first Grandchild, a little boy, on Oct. 2nd in Oklahoma.  She would be returning to her teaching position on December 1st and I had told her that I would come and keep the baby for two weeks so that he would not have to go to the sitter until after the Christmas holidays.  Her MIL was going to come and stay the remaining days. We had had the plan in motion for several weeks and I laid out a plan to get everything done and in order for Christmas before I left.  Once I returned, I would have less than a week before Christmas and I wanted my "ducks in a row" before I left.


That Saturday found me putting the finishing touches on everything, marking "to dos" off of my list and packing my vehicle.  At the close of the day I felt very good about things and was looking forward to the special time I would have my new Grandson the next two weeks.  


I went over to my Dad and Mom's to enjoy a cup of coffee and cake that afternoon and to tell them good bye.  For almost as long as I can remember  my parents world stopped at around 1:30 everyday and they sat, drank coffee and ate something sweet.  I would often go over and join them and it was such a special time.  I got ready to leave and hugged my Dad  good-bye and told them that I would be checking in  as I drove to Oklahoma (about an 8 hour drive) the next day. When I got in my vehicle to leave their house it occurred to me that I had not hugged my Mom. I got out of my vehicle and went back and gave her a big hug.  Now, I was ready.


About the time our Grandson was born my Mom and Dad were traveling to see my younger brother.  They were in a hotel and my Mom got up to use the bathroom in the night and got tangled up in the bathmat on the floor, fell and hit  the commode and broke her shoulder (we now wonder if that's what really happened).  She had really suffered with it but was going to get out of the sling and get to begin using it the next week after I left.  She was looking forward to regaining use of her arm and shoulder.  During the time that Mom could not use her arm or shoulder, my Dad had gotten even better with his domestic skills.  He pretty much did everything there was to do around the house during that time.


By night on that Saturday, I was a tired puppy and decided to go to bed a little earlier than usual.  I was going to get up early to begin my travels and wanted to make sure I was "rested and ready" for the task ahead.  I was probably in the bed around 9:00 and had just dozed off when our phone rang at 9:30.  Of course, I looked at the Caller ID and saw that it was my parents phone number and thought it a bit unusual that they would be calling me at that time of night.


When I heard my Dad's voice my heart went to jelly. His words will forever ring in my ears, "Lea, your Mother has had a stroke and I am waiting on the ambulance to arrive."  ~~~Do what?  My Mom has had a stroke!  Oh, no God, not my Mom.  This cannot be!!  This is a bad dream. My Mom was fine when I left her this afternoon~~~  Dad went on to inform me that he thought it was a very serious one and why didn't I just head straight to the hospital and he would ride with Mom in the ambulance.  I do not even recall getting dressed or my husband and I driving to the hospital.  But, I so vividly recall seeing my precious Mother there in the ER and her now twisted face and her inability to utter any word outside of a mumble.  And, seeing the face of my Dad, her soul mate for the past 58 years.  These impressions will be forever etched in my memory.


The minutes turned to hours and the fog grew heavier and heavier in our souls.  The Drs. words were not encouraging, she had suffered a massive stroke and there was little hope of any recovery.  My two brothers, who both lived many miles away, were called and told the news.  One of them was able to make it in by Monday morning around 11:00AM.  Just as he arrived my Dad's cell phone rang. It was the nurse from ICU calling to tell him that Mom's Dr. wished to talk to him and could he please come to the hospital.  We arrived within a few short minutes and the three of us stood as the Dr. told us that Mom no longer had any brain activity and what were our wishes.  There was little discussion because we all knew that Mom would never want to linger in such a condition and so it was decided that all life support would be removed and she would be allowed to go to her eternal home.  The Dr. told us that once he removed everything, she would let us come and be with her in her final moments.  


Perhaps this sounds like a morbid act, but let me assure you that I would not trade that time at my Mother's bedside for anything in this world.  My baby brother and I stood on each side of our Dad and the three of us watched as our Mom drew her last breath and walked through Heaven's gates into the arms of Jesus.  Can I just tell you what a moment that was!!!  


As we stood there in the moments afterwards my brother said, "who is going to pray for me everyday now?"  Could there be any greater question to be asked by a child at a time such as this.  I can only hope for such. We always knew that everyday of our lives our Mom was interceding on our behalf and that was never to be again.  


Of course, there was no trip to Oklahoma to keep my Grandson, but instead, there was a visitation and burial to attend.  This was not in the plans, it was so unexpected. But, God being God, knew all the time that I was getting everything done ahead of time for Christmas, that this would be a good thing.  He knew I could not possibly have done that in the grieving state I was in.  And, God being God, knew that my Dad would be needing his domestic skills more than ever in the months following my Mom's death.  I stand in awe of our God and how His timing is always perfect. 


No, November 29, 2008, was not just another day.  It was a day my life was forever changed. I no longer have a Mom here on this earth and there's not a day that goes by that I do not miss her.  Yes, I got through it but I will never get over it.  She was a precious lady that left me with lots of cherished memories and I know she will be waiting on me when I walk through heaven's gates.  Praise be to Him!
 
Mom about 6 months prior to her death
The last picture taken of Mom and me about two months before her death


Mom's  casket covered with a pall cloth


Me and my brothers with our Dad at Mom's visitation


My Mom's final resting place on this earth
On this the 2nd anniversary of my Mom's death I  will be focusing on the life she lived and the lives she impacted in her 78 years.  I'm sure she was met with the words, "well done thy good and faithful servant."  Could we ask for more?

Lea @ CiCis Corner
Lea @ CiCis Corner

Hi there! My name is Lea. I've been wife to the best Hubby for 44 years....Mom to a son and daughter....CiCi to 4 precious Grans....lover of family and friends....enjoy laughter and a good time....shopper....picture taking maniac....maker of delicious fudge....organizational enthusiast....memory maker....Southern Belle...and most importantly.....a Child of the King! Welcome to my little corner!

11 comments:

  1. Oh Lea that was a beautiful post. Made me get teary eyed. What a beautiful woman your Mother was.

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  2. Your mother sounds like a wonderful person, especially to have raised up a fantastic daughter like you. I am sure she is missed by many.

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  3. Oh Lea! I have tears in my eyes as I read this. I've just gotten home from spending time with my parents and other family members. My parents signed the contract today and will be moving into their new home next week. ~ In her condition I can't imagine that she will be with us for a very long time, but only God knows. It is a difficult time, but you have reminded me here to value every minute I have left with them. I pray you will be blessed with fond memories this week!

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  4. Thinking of you, Lea, as you remember your sweet mother on this day. I was touched by your post. Thank you for sharing your mom with us.

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  5. Lea, I understand as I lost my mom five years ago. I still miss her very much.

    It really does sound like maybe she had a little stroke earlier. That could have been the cause of her fall. But at this point it doesn't matter. I can only imagine how difficult it was for you to receive that call and have to go to the hospital as the story unfolded.

    I think it's wonderful that you got to spend time at her bedside as she took her last breath. I worked as a cardiovascular nurse for 25 years and was with many families in this situation. It's not morbid; it's actually a good thing to do and begins the grieving process.

    Anniversaries like this are hard. But I'm glad to know that your mom was a believer and that you will see her again. But in the meantime, we can still miss our precious moms, right?

    Sending you a hug,
    Debbie

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  6. What a lovely tribute to your vivid memory of losing your mother on earth. I'm sure it helps to know that since she is "absent from the body," she is "present with the Lord." She's the one who is really "home for Christmas," waiting for the rest of her family to join her! Hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving this year, and wishing you a very Merry Christmas!
    Jamie in Georgia
    www.dancingonthejourney.blogspot.com

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  7. Oh Lea, what a beautiful tribute to your mother. It was very touching. I am thankful for that hug goodbye you gave to her and thankful that the Lord had it in His plan to allow you to prepare in advance for something you didn't know was coming. May you rest in His arms knowing your mom is whole and healed awaiting the day she will see you again in Heaven! Love you my friend!

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  8. What a beautiful post straight from your heart, Lea! I really loved reading this and now see where you get your beautiful, genuine smile from :) I will be thinking of you and praying for you, your dad and the rest of your family on Monday!

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  9. Lea, so sorry and yet my spirit rejoiced over the testimony your mother had and you all now have. It is my own heart's cry that I will also leave behind such a testimony and I will also hear, "well done my good and faithful servant"
    Blessings to you as you recount the testimony of your mother's life!

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  10. Lea, what a beautiful tribute to your mother. I am praying for you on this anniversary. I know the pain that you feel on losing your mom too soon ... I lost my mom too soon 4 years ago on Christmas Eve. Take care, dear one.

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  11. Mrs. Lea, this was beautiful. Your mom was an amazing woman of grace. Love you!

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So glad you stopped by and hope you enjoyed your visit. I love your comments and read each and every one of them and I always try to reply to them. Blessings to you this day!