The quiet passing
A week ago Monday we got the call that mom was actively passing. We had put her into an assisted care home the Friday before because she needed 24/7 care. She didn’t pass Monday so Tuesday they called again and it was for real this time… I sat by her side watching labored breaths and no sign of knowing, for 9 hours, then I remembered. She would not want me to watch her go. So I whispered “your a little shit and I’m going home. I love you immensely and eternally.” This was our endearment to each other all my growing up. She would only call me that when I was actually being one, but it became something more and is a good memory. Then I kissed her goodbye and went home. Wednesday morning at 12:03 she was declared gone. It’s taken me a week… a week of going to say goodbye in the morning since she had lived with me for so long… a week of going to call her at 11 am to make sure she ate lunch… a week of going to her room after I got home from work to tell her about what funny thing a student did today… and this morning, I accepted. I didn’t go to say goodbye.
So my journey ends and Saturday we will say our final farewell. Thank you all for getting me through this. It has been my greatest honor and blessing to be part of this amazing community.