During mom’s hospice stay, I sent updates out to the family and friends. I’m sharing this with my online friends because you have been so supportive throughout this journey. Every single message was read and appreciated. Thank you, thank you all.
This will be the final update.
Mom/Teddie passed away yesterday at 12:55 p.m. April 28th with Larry, Sue, I, and many members of another patient’s (Nancy) family by her side laughing, joking and telling her that we all loved her. We’ve met many friends on this hospice journey and have discovered that in the end there is enough love for everyone.
Mom was comfortable until her last breath. She didn’t struggle. She simply slipped away when she was ready. She made sure to do it when the sun was shining, the seas were calm, and the birds were out and singing. Mom had told me earlier that she had always wanted to die on a warm sunny day and not in the cold of winter. She got her wish.
It is a testament to mom’s generous spirit that many nurses who had worked with her during her stay came in to say good bye and to give hugs. Word gets out quickly in that place. For one nurse, it was the first time she had ever cried for a patient. That speaks volumes about mom’s character.
Although she was in hospice, mom had a great last 2 months. She made friends, she heard music, saw art, smelled flowers, sat in front of the ocean sound, and shared (literally) buckets of candy with everyone. Mom laughed, watched her favorite shows, and even until the last few days wanted to know about the election results. She lived until she died.
I will be heading back to New Hampshire soon, but this time, instead of saying “Goodbye Mom, see you next week” and leaving her here, I get to bring her back with me in my heart.
We all do.
I wish you all peace and love. Go out and enjoy this fine day we’ve been given. Take care,
Wendy
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Wendy Thomas writes about the lessons learned while raising children and chickens in New Hampshire. Contact her at [email protected]
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