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#1
04/23/2007, 11:39 AM
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My Mom Died Saturday Morning
She was 74. She called me last Tuesday saying that she was very weak. My brother in Fargo took her to the hospital, where she was admitted with pneumonia. She had a weak heart due to chemotherapy for lymphoma five years ago. It quickly became evident that she would not survive this illness.
My entire family was able to gather and spent two wonderful days talking with her, reminiscing and talking about living and dying. My daughters remarked one night that Grandma never cried during the week, even while we were sobbing and saying our good-bys. She was completely at peace, confident of where she was going, and certain that we would follow in the blink of an eye on the eternal time scale. She asked Friday that all treatments be stopped, except for comfort measures. After a full and rich day with family and dear friends, she tried to sleep, but was very restless. The nurses gave her medication to relax her and treat pain. She asked for some coffee and ice cream, which she thoroughly enjoyed. As she settled, she looked at me and forever the mother, said, "Joey, go home and go to bed." Those were her last words. She never woke up and died at 11 AM Saturday. At one point on Friday, as my spouse massaged her back and the whole family sat around her bed talking, laughing and crying, Mom looked around, smiled, and said, "It doesn't get any better than this." She was at peace. |
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#2
04/23/2007, 11:44 AM
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It's never easy to loose a parent, but it sounds like you were as blessed as I was when my father died. I have great sympathies for your loss and wish you well my friend.
__________________
"In all seriousness the SEC is the strongest conference" GrimReefer |
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#4
04/23/2007, 11:46 AM
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I happy to hear your mother passed in peace, with the company of family and friends.
__________________
Of course I could be completely mistaken. Ed: "I hate to tell you this Dr., but there aren't any fish in that river. In fact, there isn't any river." Dr. Lao: "That's ok. Me no use bait." |
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#5
04/23/2007, 11:46 AM
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My condolences. If it is ones time, it sounds as if it was the best it could be. I recently went through a longer drawn out situation with my Father who had Alzheimer's.
Best wishes to you and your family.
__________________
"You call someplace paradise, kiss it goodbye" The Last Resort, The Eagles |
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#6
04/23/2007, 11:46 AM
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Your mom sounds like she was an amazing woman. I can only hope that when my time comes I can be as composed and at peace as she was.
From everyone in the VR household, our sincerest condolences on your loss.
__________________
"I'm not closed minded. You're just wrong!" - Bucky Katt "If the women don't find you handsome, they should at least find you handy." - Red Green |
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#7
04/23/2007, 11:49 AM
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Joey, so sorry for your loss. Take comfort in the fact that you were able to spend her last days with her, she was at peace and free of pain.
I hope to go out the same way.
__________________
-- Carrie -- Oh shut up, and kiss my fairy wrasse. ~Gawain1974~ silly girls make stuff hard ~drauka99~ |
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#9
04/23/2007, 11:51 AM
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She sounds like she was a great woman. I am very sorry for your loss, but glad that you had the chance to say your good-byes.
You and your family are in my thoughts. Brian
__________________
Always strive for the optimum environment, not the minimum environment. Some days you're the dog, other days you're the hydrant |
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#11
04/23/2007, 11:52 AM
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Joey, I'm so sorry to hear about your mom. Be glad that you got to say goodbye, and I love you one more time.
__________________
Michelle I will not eat oysters. I want my food dead - not wounded or sick - DEAD ! |
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#12
04/23/2007, 11:54 AM
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Quote:
__________________
Travis Stevens |
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#16
04/23/2007, 12:03 PM
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Joey,
I offer you my condolences on the loss of your mother, but I hope the joyous way she left helps lessen the pain. Kevin
__________________
NCAA Division 1 Championship Leaders: UCLA: 100 Stanford: 94 Southern California: 84 Oklahoma State: 48 Arkansas: 43 LSU: 40 Go PAC 10! |
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#17
04/23/2007, 12:12 PM
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As someone that has lost both my mother and father I extend my deepest sympathies. Your family will be in my prayers.
__________________
I once heard two ladies going on and on about the pains of childbirth and how men don't seem to know what real pain is. I asked if either of them ever got themselves caught in a zipper. |
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#19
04/23/2007, 12:12 PM
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Joey,
That story brought a tear to my eyes. What a wonderful gift those few days were. She sounds like an amazing woman and you have my condolences.
__________________
Mike RC Staff "So, Mike was right." - MalHavoc |
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#21
04/23/2007, 12:17 PM
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Joey, we're so sorry for your loss. You and your family are in our prayers. I'm happy you and yours got to spend those last happy times. We'll be thinking of you.
__________________
Jesse I want to be a bear turd when I grow up. ~ Bart All butts must be sniffed for identification purposes. ~ Mutt Tequila makes my clothes fall off ~ crp |
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#22
04/23/2007, 12:23 PM
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Thank you so much for your kind words all.
Shortly before she went to sleep for good, Mom looked at me with a grin on her face and said, "You be careful on that motorcycle!" I laughed and promised her that I would. She continued smiling and said, "I know how much you and RoxAnn enjoy riding." No guilt trips, just good motherly advice. My oldest daughter sat at her bedside Friday evening, knitting a scarf. My brother asked who it was for, and Elizabeth said, "I was making it for Granny Tanny to go with her red coat." Then she gave the scarf to mom to hold while she knitted and told her, "But now I'm going to keep it and wear it and think you always." I learned more about my mom and my family in two days than I'd learned in 20 years. A good example is better than a thousand sermons, and as our pain gradually decreases and we are able to think about our last days with her, we'll forever cherish the time we had and the gift she gave us. |
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#23
04/23/2007, 12:38 PM
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it's so obvious to me why YOU grew into the man you are today and why your children are so special.
i bet my dad was one of the first to meet your mom at the pearly gates. 
__________________
of all the things i've lost, i miss my gary the most. |
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#24
04/23/2007, 12:45 PM
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Really sorry for your loss Joey, but I can't think of a better way to go.
__________________
Chris ------ "Daddy, tomorrow when I get older & bigger, I'm goin huntin with you and shoot a big buck. Then I'm gonna cut it's legs off and throw it on the grill!" My 4yo son |
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#25
04/23/2007, 12:49 PM
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What a beautiful story. I'm sorry for your loss and I hope you and your family are able to find some peace. Sending good thoughts your way.
__________________
Les The real voyage of discovery consists not of seeking new landscapes, but in having new eyes. ~Marcel Proust |
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