Difficult Day

1. 81

   Aficionadaposted 11 years ago

   About four weeks ago I posted the happy news about my first grandbaby. My husband and I got to spend two wonderful weeks with him and his parents.
   
   But on the day we got home, I learned that my 95-year-old Mother had fallen and broken her shoulder and was in the hospital. I have spent the past week with her, watching as she alternated between rallying somewhat and edging closer and closer to death.
   
   During these days I have occasionally popped in to HubPages and WebAnswers - mostly reading, but occasionally posting an answer or a forum post. This has been a welcome break of normalcy within an emotionally very trying time.
   
   This morning has been especially difficult, as we have seen further indications that she is slipping away. In general, mornings have been worse for her than afternoons, so who knows how she will be in a few hours? - maybe much better. I do know that the end is very near for her right now; how near, I can't say.
   
   I appreciate so much the community support here. I appreciate those who share my faith supporting us with their thoughts, prayers and good wishes. I appreciate those of other faiths and belief systems supporting us with their thoughts, prayers and  good wishes. I probably won't post here again for a while, maybe for several days, depending on the pace of changes. But I do thank you each one in advance.

   replyreport
   1. 60

      Nicole Winterposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      I know we don't know one another, but I just wanted to stop for a moment and give you & yours a really big virtual hug.  Hang in there.

      replyreport
   2. 86

      Marisa Wrightposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      ((((((((((Hugs)))))))))) to you Aficionada.   This is one of the reasons I'm still on HubPages even though I've lost confidence in it as a money-maker.   I've met so many wonderful people here, like you.  We're thinking of you.

      replyreport
   3. 92

      NathaNaterposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Very sorry for your loss. It is good you were able to spend time with your mother.

      replyreport
2. 84

   gmwilliamsposted 11 years ago

   Congratulations on your beautiful grandchild.    I hope your mothers gets better and fully recover.  I am very saddened to hear about your mother.  She is in my heart.

   replyreport
3. 80

   dwachiraposted 11 years ago

   This is the most heart felt posting i have ever read here on Hubpages. May the lord God be with your mom and may your family be filled with the most inner peace during these hard times. All will be well.

   replyreport
4. 92

   habeeposted 11 years ago

   I'll be thinking of you and sending up a prayer, my friend.

   replyreport
5. 72

   Evans4lifeposted 11 years ago

   Praying for the strength that only God can give.

   replyreport
6. 75

   brakel2posted 11 years ago

   My best for you. You have welcomed new life and now have a difficult time.  I send you love and prayers for strength. Our pleasures we enjoy. knowing they may not last long.

   replyreport
7. 63

   Lisa HWposted 11 years ago

   I'm sorry to see that you're going through this particular kind of difficult time, Aficionada.  Like others here, I'm thinking of you.

   replyreport
8. 60

   LaThingposted 11 years ago

   You are in our thoughts, dear friend! Peace to you....

   replyreport
9. 0

   Klavdija Frahmposted 11 years ago

   I'm sending you my positive thoughts...

   replyreport
10. 0

    EmpressFelicityposted 11 years ago

    Sorry to hear about your mother Aficionada.

    replyreport
11. 0

    Motown2Chitownposted 11 years ago

    All the best to you and your family, Aficionada.  The greatest joys always seem to be accompanied by struggles or sorrows.  I'll be praying for you all.  Much love.

    replyreport
12. 68

    lrohnerposted 11 years ago

    You and your family are in my thoughts. Stay strong.

    replyreport
13. 0

    GoldenThreadPressposted 11 years ago

    Aficionada: My thoughts and prayers are with you, your family, as well as your mother. These are difficult times for sure. Do take the necessary time to take care of your mother, but some back soon. Spending time with your mother is what is more important at this time. We here at HubPages aren't going away, nor will our community spirit lag. Keep us updated. But truly we are there with you. Best Regards--Deb

    replyreport
14. 81

    Aficionadaposted 11 years ago

    These words and hugs from all of you - virtual friends that I have known for awhile and some brand-new friends - have meant so much to me!
    
    I was able to spend some important time with my mother before Thanksgiving, then came back home to be with all of my children and my little grandson. Some of them were still here for an extended visit when we received word earlier this week that Mother had died.
    
    I am so glad for the days I spent with her, even when she was so weak that she could hardly communicate. Even though we all knew her health would not sustain her much longer, I still feel so sad that she is gone.
    
    Thank you all again for your kindnesses during these days. It is such a help to be a part of this warm community.

    replyreport
    1. 60

       Nicole Winterposted 11 years agoin reply to this

       Afficionada, I am truly sorry to hear of you & your family's loss.  I'll be keeping all of you in my thoughts.

       replyreport
       1. 81

          Aficionadaposted 11 years agoin reply to this

          Thank you, Nicole.

          replyreport
    2. 87

       IzzyMposted 11 years agoin reply to this

       I am so sorry to hear this, Aficionada
       
       ((((hugs))))
       
       You and your family are in my thoughts too.

       replyreport
    3. 80

       DreamerMegposted 11 years agoin reply to this

       Sorry to hear of your loss. I know it is very hard at present, yet in the weeks and months and years to come, you will be comforted by remembering the times you spent with her, especially those near the end and that you did all you could for her, while she was here.

       replyreport
15. 63

    Lisa HWposted 11 years ago

    Aficionada, sincerest condolences to you and your family.  I'm sorry to see that this is how things have turned out after your original post.

    replyreport
16. 81

    Aficionadaposted 11 years ago

    Thank you, IzzyM. I appreciate that so much.  And thank you too, Lisa.
    
    This was not really a surprise. Over the past few years, she had had several close brushes with death and it was amazing to all of us that her weak body had not given out long before now. During those recent years she had gradually lost a lot of weight and even muscle mass, so that she didn't have a lot of reserves of health to bring recuperation this time.
    
    She had expressed her readiness to move on, out of this life, and that also helps us all so much.
    
    A couple of weeks before her fall, I had come across an article titled something like "Ten Signs That Death Is Near" on a hospice website, caring.com. In very practical ways it helped me to know what to do while I was with her and I referred to it often, as well as to other articles on the site.
    
    I do appreciate your condolences so much.

    replyreport
17. 78

    Mighty Momposted 11 years ago

    Aficionada,
    I'm sorry to hear about the loss of your mom.
    And delighted to hear about your new grandbaby!
    As you feel the full spectrum of emotions (sometimes jumbled together), please be gentle with yourself.
    And know your hubber friends are always here for you.
    Hugs,
    MM

    replyreport
18. 81

    Aficionadaposted 11 years ago

    Thank you, Mighty Mom and NathaNater.  It has certainly been a full spectrum of emotion spanning much of the full spectrum of life.

    replyreport
19. 64

    Globetrekkermelposted 11 years ago

    My prayers are with you . Keep strong . God bless.

    replyreport
20. 95

    leahleflerposted 11 years ago

    Oh, I am so sorry, Aficionada. I am thinking of you and hope that you are comforted by happy memories. My thoughts and prayers are with you.

    replyreport
21. 0

    GoldenThreadPressposted 11 years ago

    Aficionada: I am so very sorry to hear about the passing of your mom. I hope, though, that the times that you spent with your mom will be those special memories that will lighten the burden that you are experiencing. You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers, too. God Bless!--Deb

    replyreport
22. 0

    Motown2Chitownposted 11 years ago

    Aficionada, my deepest sympathies to you all.  I'll continue to pray for comfort for you and your family during what I know will be a very difficult time.

    replyreport
23. 81

    Aficionadaposted 11 years ago

    DreamerMeg, thank you so much. I have found myself feeling her loss at the most unexpected times; but as you have said, memories of times spent with her have been very comforting.
    
    Globetrekkermel, I appreciate your prayers and words of encouragement. - Sorry that it is this occasion in which we meet, but I look forward to knowing you more, in days to come.
    
    Leahlefler, I do have so many happy memories and they are indeed comforting. One happy memory is that she got to see pictures of her newest great-grandson while she was in the hospital.
    
    GoldenThreadPress, thank you. I believe those special memories will be ever more important to me as time goes on.
    
    Mo2Chi, your sympathy and prayers mean so much to me. Thank you.

    replyreport
    1. 81

       phdast7posted 11 years agoin reply to this

       Aficionada -  I do not know you, but as a child with parents and as a mother with children and grandchildren I can understand and empathize.    I am so happy for the new life that entered your family and I share the sorrow that comes with losing someone, especially one's mother.   My prayers are with you and your family.   Blessings.

       replyreport
24. 64

    Globetrekkermelposted 11 years ago

    aficionada, I can relate to you.I am taking care of my 89 year old mom and there is nothing more hurting than to see your own mother aging and losing all her rational ,mental and emotional faculties when most of  your life she has been your rock.I have written a blog about  her and a few of my blogs she is also a part of the scene.Big lesson to be learned - we are all going to die.No escaping.  How can we embrace death as a happy occasion instead of being sad about it? I have tried but pain is just not easy to let go.

    replyreport
    1. 81

       Aficionadaposted 11 years agoin reply to this

       I agree. There are so many kinds of pain in watching our parents suffer. And when the months stretch out, it can be so difficult to know what would truly be best for them.  I will look for your blogs, and I will keep you in my prayers too.
       
       Phdast7, thank you for your comment and sentiments.

       replyreport