The Vigil – Final Chapter
Thursday, Jan. 1st. We did not think mom would live to see 2015. Mom has been much the same for the past week– unresponsive and near death. She has not had anything to eat or drink in two weeks. I hold her hand and gently sing to her. Her breathing is shallow with many periods of apnea. I spend an uneventful night in her room.
Friday,Saturday: More of the same. My brothers, dad and I all visit regularly – but no real change. My oldest daughter expresses that it seems odd to be going about their family’s holiday schedule even as grandma lay dying. Life goes on, even as we grieve.
Sunday, January 4: Family is with mom throughout the day. She slips away peacefully in the late evening. My dad, husband, brothers,and sisters-in-law all gather at Hospice. While there is sadness, the prevailing sentiment is relief. She is (finally) at peace and free of the suffering that has dominated her last years on earth. Many of us believe she is in a better place, free of pain and suffering. My brother conjectures that maybe she can lobby for the rest of us to join her in heaven some day.
We sing Amazing Grace as her body is ushered down the hall onto the funeral home vehicle, with our long-distance sister singing along via phone.
Rest in peace mom.