Tag Archives: death
Be Going Inward
Transition.
Only a beautiful hi from mom this morning.
Down the path.
Moving forward.
Packed her bags.
Going Inward.
My Spirit sits with my mom.
I sit with my mom.
The scarf she knit around my neck.
My tear catcher and prayer shawl.
My Sexy Neck, my boys, my dad, my sister, C, Rea, Jamie, Marnie and Ron at my side.
Going Inward.
Waiting to see how this journey will be.
Knowing your love is holding us up.
Knowing mom is our guide.
She will do it her beautiful, thoughtful way.
Thank you world.
Thank you peeps.
Thank you for holding us close.
Thank you to my beautiful mom for letting me journey with her.
This is such an honour and privilege to be at her side.
I LOVE YOU MOM!
Be Having Something About Butterflies
A butterfly metamorphosis painting sits on a table at a retreat two weeks ago.
Our retreat leader points it out to me.
My sister talks to mom about flying away like a butterfly.
My dad says the same.
The children talk about butterflies.
It is winter. There is snow on the ground.
Then I see this on the hospice fireplace:
And then this note arrives from my mom and dad’s beautiful neighbour:
The children draw some pictures:
Yup, more butterflies. I just arrived home to mom and dad’s and guess what I saw on the fridge for the first time ever….
I think either S and A drew it, but I am not sure when or how it got there.
Yup, butterflies everywhere in the middle on winter.
Beautiful butterflies.
Fly Mama Fly.
Be Having A Sunday Morning Update
Mom is having a deep rest this morning after her sleepover with M. She had her morning wash, tooth brush and massage. She loves having her back rubbed. She was even able to swing her legs over the edge of the bed and even had a sip of boost. Her first bit of nourishment in a week.
She was so happy to see her nephew Jamie and niece Marnie. She was waiting for them. She had the biggest smile when she saw Jamie and Marnie. She said, “Ahhhhh, Jamie!”
We are just awaiting M’s girls and C to arrive.
Today, Wendy heads back up to PG to be our angel up there and spend time with her family. She was able to get to us first and help us in the hospital. She was a huge support and I couldn’t have made it through the last night in the hospital without her.
Auntie Gail heads back to the Lower Mainland to be our angel down there. Her son, Dave, drove through the snow to get her here! Gail is the most incredibly caring sister i have seen. The respect and love she has for my mom is priceless. We are so grateful for them both.
Uncle Bill also heads back to the Island. He is a pillar of strength for our family. My dad’s old business partner, confidante and just incredible man.
Gail and Bill saying goodbye:
We couldn’t do this alone.
The strength you see in us is a reflection of God’s love, my mom’s and all of you back in the world who are holding us up in prayer and thought. My sister is a prayer warrior and she has literally held us up in prayer these last months. Her and C have done amazing feats to physically be here as well. What a pair!
This is a rich, beautiful, peaceful time. Mom is in no pain. We are enjoying sharing time as a family.
There is no fear in death. This is an incredible family time filled with tears, laughter, peace and sadness.
WE ARE PROUD TO BE MOM’S MIDWIVES THROUGH THIS PROCESS.
Be fighting for life then death
Dearest family, friends and blog followers,
I don’t say this lightly nor without the awareness that the words I write can bring emotions, triggers and thoughts.
Yesterday, the surgeon informed as that the surgery was a success but that the cancer had spread throughout mom’s abdomen. It was a mess in there.
Yesterday, we moved from fighting for mom’s life to fighting for mom’s death. Mom does not want to die in the hospital. We do not want her to die in the hospital.
Yesterday, dad and Sexy Neck took a tour of Hospice House. They were overwhelmed with the love, support and homey feeling. They both emphatically expressed that this was the place for mom. They even have a playroom.
Yesterday, we met with the Palliative Care Coordinator we got connected with in the summer through my sister’s diligent connection making.
Here is MM explaining things to mom:
What a lovely, hardworking, caring and strong human being in a nurse uniform. (Reminds us of our midwife!)
Today, we move mom to Hospice House.
Today, we celebrate mom leaving the hospital forever.
Today, we shift our fight for life to relaxing and enjoying time with mom.
Be Learning Lessons From A Hospital Bed
Be present.
Be making a will.
Be asking people to pray for you.
Be honest.
Be talking about the hard things.
Be enjoying my mom’s breath.
Be letting go of expectations.
Be talking about God.
Be talking about death.
Be talking about poo.
Be real.
Be honest and say what you feel.
Be sitting.
Be listening to and learn from other people’s cancer stories.
Be loving.
Be open to any help you can get.
Be humble and gracious.
Be watching for where God is working.
Be eating even if you aren’t hungry.
Be having a good old cry.
Be asking for a hug and let the other person hold you up.
Be letting God hold you in the palm on His hand.
Be full of faith and trust.
"Be" ENOUGH 