Saturday, September 13, 2008

Thanks, Mom

As my Mom lies on her deathbed today, the life lessons she taught us keep running through my head. One of them is a love of nature, just like it is. No manicured, sterile lawns, no bordered rose gardens. Her garden was the world where she took us as children on afternoon strolls. We learned how to climb over fallen tree trunks without scraping our knees, how to pick wild rose hips and where the fish were the friskiest.

Another thing she taught us is that death is part of living. We were born to die and there's no getting out of it.

She also taught us that life is too short to hold grudges or to complain about minor things. People are fallible. Accept that and accept them as they are because you can't change them.

She is strong... what can I say about a shell of a woman who lies, waiting for the last of her family to gather before saying good bye?

Life will go on without her, just as everyone else's has who has lost a Mother. Our worlds shrink and gray, then begin to bloom again. She taught us that, too.

Thanks, Mom.

15 comments:

  1. Blessings and warm wishes to you, your mother and family during this time of transition. My mom passed over 3 weeks ago and she, too, waited for everyone to say goodbye. Then as the sun rose she departed so peacefully. It was a blessing to be there with her.
    Best wishes, Ruthellen

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  2. Thank you. Ruthellen, my sincere condolences to you. I'm glad your Mother left peacefully.

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  3. I am so sorry about your mom. Death isn't easy.

    Hugs and lots of them,
    Peg

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  4. Your Mom sounds like quite a Lady.
    Peace to your family during this difficult time.

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  5. ((((hugs)))).............Oh Pat..your mother really taught you well..............I've been following your 'writing' for about 8 years now I believe.... you are so down-to-earth and real with your thoughts/feelings.

    My sincere condolences........and yet, lucky you .. you were blessed with a MOM like her.

    My own mother was so addicted to Valiums... like my father (alcoholic) that I felt she was in a Bubble and I could never get to her soul........ (I remember you post about so many Americans on mood altering drugs).....

    Well you were blessed.............and I was not .. yet, for ever Ying there is a Yang. I learned strength too; and did not follow my parents sad footprints.... and I'm very blessed for learning the opposite lessons from them.

    Life is Beautiful (and short)...and too short to hold grudges of any kind.. ((hugs)) again.

    Betty Ann

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  6. Thank you all. Yes, she is quite the lady even now.
    Betty Ann, I'm sorry about your Mom. Drugs take people from us even when they're with us. It sounds as if you have peace about it though, and that's wonderful.

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  7. I am so sorry Pat. I will be praying for you and your family.

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  8. Pat-

    God bless you with His peace and strength during this sad time. As always, your words are beautiful and sincere. No one can take a Mother's place.

    Jayne

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  9. Pat,
    God be with you.
    It is so hard to sit next to a parent's deathbed and say goodbye. I went through the same thing 17 years ago when my father died.
    I pray that God will fill your heart with His presence and peace. Be patient with yourself as you grieve after your mother has gone on. There is no time limit for grief, and sometimes you may find praying for the strength to breathe in and out. I will pray for you.
    Blessings.

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  10. Wow, I just stumbled upon your blog through tears as I try to distract myself from a really difficult night of dealing with my mom's illness. I'm so very sorry. I ache for you and everyone else in this boat right now. :(

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  11. I'm sorry Pat. You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers.

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  12. My prayers are with you and your family .. may God give you strength.

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  13. Pat,

    sorry to hear about your mom. I will pray for peace in your heart, and in your families heart. There will be sadness for a long time But I pray, peace will be in your heart.

    Kat

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  14. I am so sorry to hear about your mom. Having recently lost my grandmother (my other mother), I will be praying for you and your family as I am sure there will be a missing piece for years to come.

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