It's been kinda odd to have the holidays without Mom around to enjoy them. Mom really liked Christmas. She like all the songs, the lights, decorations, and the kids opening their presents. The last couple of years we were able to enjoy her company on Christmas morning for the kids to open their presents. So, it was strange to have only Dad here that morning. Of course, we really enjoyed him being here and treasure that he is still able to enjoy watching the boys open the presents and have Christmas breakfast with us.
We visited Mom's grave after Christmas morning Mass and decorated it with a Nativity ornament. We put her Christmas flowers on last week. She would have enjoyed the beauty of the snow we had late Christmas day and the day after. Although, I can hear her now, "It's too cold!" I agree.
Monday, December 27, 2010
Wednesday, August 11, 2010
Arrangements
Here are the funeral arrangements:
It will be Saturday the 14th at St. Matthew Catholic Church in Durham NC. A viewing will begin at 9.30 am with the funeral Mass at 11 am and the burial afterwards at the church's cemetery (located on the same property). A reception will follow in the fellowship hall.
A link of the church is posted below.
Several people are making hotel arrangements at the Holiday inn express of Durham on Guess Rd, also posted below.
Resting in Peace
Mom finally passed to her eternal reward this morning at 5.30 with Dad at her side. She went very peacefully.
I will update with funeral arrangements.
Thank you for all of your prayers.
I will update with funeral arrangements.
Thank you for all of your prayers.
Tuesday, August 10, 2010
Still Waiting
What a long day. It is hard to believe it is only Tuesday. Everyone is exhausted due to lack of sleep. Pretty much no change for Mom today. She hasn't moved on her own other than a twitching finger now and again. She has not made any signs of understanding someone talking to her. The nurse listened to her heart and said it was still regular.
So we continue to wait, watch, and pray for her peaceful transition.
So we continue to wait, watch, and pray for her peaceful transition.
The End is Near
Mom really declined yesterday afternoon. She had a spell were she said that it was time to die and wanted God to hurry up. From that point she has been resting and has not spoken much. We have been spending all of our time with her praying and reading Scripture. Mom seems to have liked hearing Rita read from the family Bible.
Bruce arrived yesterday evening and has been with her ever since. Last night we were around her joking and laughing at some of the things that she has been saying. At times she had been very witty. You could tell that she wanted to laugh also but just had no strength. You could tell that she could hear and understand us, especially when she hears Dad or feels his touch.
Her body is going through the final stages of shutdown. Sometimes you can tell that she knows you are there with her and she'll squeeze your hand. Most of the time she is just laboring to breath. She doesn't seem like she is in any pain. The morphine has helped greatly. She just seems like she wants to go home and is impatiently waiting.
We've stayed with her through the night, taking short naps here and there (expect Kim, who promised Mom she would stay with her until the end and refuses to sleep or leave Mom for Mom's sake). We are thankful for the time we have been able to spend with her. Last night I was thinking of how similar to watching a woman in labor. You rush the hospital thinking something is going to happen. Then you hurry up and wait. The results are the same but different.
Bruce arrived yesterday evening and has been with her ever since. Last night we were around her joking and laughing at some of the things that she has been saying. At times she had been very witty. You could tell that she wanted to laugh also but just had no strength. You could tell that she could hear and understand us, especially when she hears Dad or feels his touch.
Her body is going through the final stages of shutdown. Sometimes you can tell that she knows you are there with her and she'll squeeze your hand. Most of the time she is just laboring to breath. She doesn't seem like she is in any pain. The morphine has helped greatly. She just seems like she wants to go home and is impatiently waiting.
We've stayed with her through the night, taking short naps here and there (expect Kim, who promised Mom she would stay with her until the end and refuses to sleep or leave Mom for Mom's sake). We are thankful for the time we have been able to spend with her. Last night I was thinking of how similar to watching a woman in labor. You rush the hospital thinking something is going to happen. Then you hurry up and wait. The results are the same but different.
Monday, August 9, 2010
After the Nurse visit Monday morning
Well, here is the latest. Mom was saying, "I want to go. I want to go" over and over again. We knelt next to her and told her it was okay and to tell Jesus "Hi" for us. She went on and on and would not settle down. Finally, Kim asked her, "Do you have to go to the bathroom?" "Yes, I have to go badly!"
The nurse came by and checked Mom. Lida said that she could tell a natural decline in Mom's state. She checked Mom's heart and lungs and said that they are strong. After looking more thoroughly at Mom, Lida thinks that Mom is having organ system shutdown. So some organs are failing and others, like the lungs and heart, are still working strongly. Lida said Mom may go on like this for a couple days.
She is at peace with everyone and desires to move on. She told Jesus to hurry up. Mom is still Mom.
The nurse came by and checked Mom. Lida said that she could tell a natural decline in Mom's state. She checked Mom's heart and lungs and said that they are strong. After looking more thoroughly at Mom, Lida thinks that Mom is having organ system shutdown. So some organs are failing and others, like the lungs and heart, are still working strongly. Lida said Mom may go on like this for a couple days.
She is at peace with everyone and desires to move on. She told Jesus to hurry up. Mom is still Mom.
The Final Countdown
Sunday was an interesting day. That morning Mom was running a fever so we called in the Hospice nurse, Lida. Mom was unable to eat any food nor take any medications and she was running a high fever. Lida was able to get a prescription of Morphine for Mom to help her feel comfortable and to rest. Lida said that in her opinion Mom may pass within 48 hours. Kim, Rita, and I have been spending all the time we can with Mom. Lenore came over in the evening and talked with Mom and tried to comfort her with cool cloths on her face.
It seems as if Mom has wrestled with the spirits and continues to hold on to life. Many have called and Mom has told them that she loves them. Mom will have an episode of mental anguish and then she would start praying. We would all stay close to her and pray with her. At one point she said that she saw Our Lord and we told her it was okay to go with him.
We spent the night with Mom, praying and trying to keep her comfortable. We know that the time is short. It is really hard on all of us seeing Mom suffering like she is and we hope and pray that she'll make her final journey soon.
It seems as if Mom has wrestled with the spirits and continues to hold on to life. Many have called and Mom has told them that she loves them. Mom will have an episode of mental anguish and then she would start praying. We would all stay close to her and pray with her. At one point she said that she saw Our Lord and we told her it was okay to go with him.
We spent the night with Mom, praying and trying to keep her comfortable. We know that the time is short. It is really hard on all of us seeing Mom suffering like she is and we hope and pray that she'll make her final journey soon.
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