Some of you might recall my mentioning that my mom has been winding down her beautiful life here on earth for nearly the last year. She successfully negotiated with God for more time with her family
until she trusted that we were ready to let her go. These last months in particular with her have been a treasure unlike any other that I've ever experienced. She has been a joy and has been open and honest about her next adventure. We were all with her when she left us on 8/27/08, and she went easily because we allowed her to. Even the nurses who have been caring for her were crying because she was truly a "special" lady.
Her funeral was a lovely service filled with fun and charming stories. Mom lived her faith daily, and everyone who knew her knew that, so over-preaching and sermonizing was not necessary. My mom was a rule breaker - she didn't like doing things just because, even funeral "traditions". So Dad said "no receiving line". So we sometimes spread out, letting people find who they wanted to talk to, sometimes drew together as a family. It was charming service. I know she loved it.
She and Dad lost their beloved poodle, Shelly, just a few short weeks beforehand. It was devastating. But mere days before Mom left, she was so excited to be able to see Shelly and our previous dog before that, Harley. She had me bring the Rainbow Bridge Poem to read to her. (My Dad is left with their trusty cat, Tom, for the time being. He said he's trying to train him to let him know when the mailman brings the mail like Shelly did.
)
Although we've known for many months, she officially signed her hospice papers 6 days before her passing. She was spunky, fun, and full of life until the day before. In the hospice book, was a poem that struck a chord with all of us and brought us incredible comfort. I'm sure many of you have read it, as hospice shares it with the families they comfort. For those of you who haven't read it before, as a tribute to my beautiful mother, I'd like to share it to be tucked away for a time that you may need comfort.
Rest In Peace, Mom..... or better yet, Remain With Us Forever.
Thanks for letting me share........
Gone From My Sight
by Henry Van Dyke
I am standing upon the seashore. A ship, at my side, spreads
her white sails to the moving breeze and starts for the blue
ocean. She is an object of beauty and strength. I stand and
watch her until, at length, she hangs like a speck of white
cloud just where the sea and sky come to mingle with each other.
Then, someone at my side says, "There, she is gone."
Gone where?
Gone from my sight. That is all. She is just as large in mast,
hull and spar as she was when she left my side. And, she is
just as able to bear her load of living freight to her destined port.
Her diminished size is in me -- not in her. And, just at the
moment when someone says, "There, she is gone," there are
other eyes watching her coming, and other voices ready to take
up the glad shout, "Here she comes!"
And that is dying...