One year ago today, I got a phone call from my sister RAW asking if I had talked to my Dad that morning. She had been trying to get a hold of him and couldn’t. I told her that I would put some clothes on and run up to the hospital to check on him. I got to the hospital and he was there, Mom had continued to stay agitated during the night and he hadn’t turned his phone back on. Although I had not come to the hospital planning to stay all day (I had planned to go back home and get cleaned up . . .I didn’t even have on any socks with my tennis shoes) but I ended up not leaving. That morning the doctor told my Dad that if there was not significant improvement in Mom’s health, we had probably a week left with her. My sister from out of town came with her family and my other sister came from work (one of her students called his parents from her classroom and they rushed to be with us). Family and friends surrounded us with prayers and much love. We all gathered around Mom’s bed and told her that we were ready to let her go if that was God’s plan. She quietly slipped away as we told her how much we loved her.
Since that day many tears have been shed, many milestones crossed, many memories replayed and many hugs given. For those of you who didn’t know my Mom, you missed getting to know a very Godly, loving, caring, wonderful woman. For those of you did, you understand the loss of a woman who caused the sun to shine just a little brighter.
I take comfort in knowing that she is in heaven and is holding my babies but that doesn’t make the ache in my heart any less. I miss the time we used to spend together, the fun we had as a family, and the projects she was never afraid to take on. I miss knowing that she was just a phone call away when I needed her for anything.
Today we wear orange in your memory Mom. We love you and miss you. I still can’t believe it has been a year.
PS: We are taking care of Dad. He misses you so much.
Tomorrow in honor of my Mom I will be wearing orange. I would love it if you would too and post a picture of yourself wearing your orange (and email it to me). It can be a ribbon, flower, ring, necklace, shirt, socks, whatever (be creative). I just want everyone to remember my Mom and what a wonderful person she was. I also want to remember those who have fought Leukemia/Lymphoma and won and to remember those like my beautiful Mom who fought a couragous battle against the disease and won but left us because her body had fought so hard.
My email address is tls_giggles at yahoo dot com.
One year ago today I got a phone call from my Dad letting me know that we were heading to Houston and that Mom was coming HOME! We were so very hopeful that we were on the home stretch and that our Mom was going to be ok We were ALL going to be ok. We had such big hopes and dreams and they would soon come crashing down around us and crushing us. . . .breaking our hearts.
I just looked at Dad's roll sheet and saw his Countdown to Retirement count and it is at 60. Wow! Today I am subbing for my Dad and his kids are doing independent work (thank goodness because I know nothing about drafting!) so I have been deleting email from my account. I had over 900 and have gotten it down to the 500 range. While going through them I have been reminded of the kinds words spoken by our friends during Mom's fight and since. You will never now how much your friendship, phone calls, cards, e-mails, facebook comments and prayers have meant to my family over the past 19 months. Nineteen months that were not what we expected. How much your love and care and hugs have meant. Somedays it is what gets us through the day. Thank you. We will never be able to thank you enough. You all are wonderful people.
Today at lunch I had an ice cream sandwich. For most people that isn't anything life shattering or anything but for me it brought back memories of my Mom. You see for one week while I was staying with her, that was about all I could get her to eat. I would go down to the cafeteria in the afternoon and would get either a regular ice cream sandwich or the cookies and cream kind and we would share it. Which meant that she would take a bite or two or three if I was lucky and then I would have the rest of it. It really made me miss my Mom (as if I needed anything else to help with that) and wish that I could get a hug from her. I need a hug and to hear her encouraging words. She could always make you believe that you could do no matter what it was that you set your mind to. She was just wonderful like that, don't you think?
Roses are red.
Violets are blue.
We love you a lot
and we're missing you too.
I remember last years Valentine's day because I got to spend it with you. I really wish I was spending this one with you too. We spent time with Dad, Rae, Lou Ellen and GMom tonight but we were missing you so much. Love you Mom.
11 months ago today. I remember that day so vividly. Some days it seems like yesterday and other days it seems like such a long time ago. Miss you Mom and love you so very much.
