My Mom's Journey Here Is Finally Over
 

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. :angel2dl:
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...

I am so sorry for your loss you are so stong I am sobbing after reading your post..my prayers are with you.

what a beautiful post... as hard as it is to lose a loved one, your family has incredibly inspired me....
Bless you and your family during this difficult time!
d

How wonderful that you and your family had a very good experience with your moms passing. Most times it's just too stressful! She must have been so very special.

It is wonderful that you and your family were able to share with your mother in her journey. Now she can be free to watch over all of you. With my deepest condolences.

I am so very sorry that your mom is "gone from sight" for the time being. You WILL meet again How lucky you are to have a mother with such strong faith. I will keep your family in my thoughts and prayers.

Thanks for sharing your experience with us, condolences on the loss of your beloved Mom. She sure sounds like a wonderful person and you have a beautiful family.

Thank you all so much for your kind words. I've not been on YT for a while as it's been hard to be at Mom and Dad's beck and call and live the other half of my life too. ;) But YT is so full of comfort, and Mom started my love of animals (she never said no to a pet).

For those that still have their loved ones, please give them a gentle hug from me. That's the funny thing about love. The more you give away, the more you have to give away. I seem to have a bit of exta love to share these days.

:)

Your mom seems like She was such an amazing woman.. She is now watching over You & Your family, with Shelly and Harley! ;) Her memory will be kept alive, by shining through all the people She seemed to have touched! im sorry for your loss and i will keep you, your dad, and the rest of the family in my prayers.. thanks for sharing the story of Your Beautiful Mother! xoxo. :lovewings

What a beautiful legacy your mother leaves behind. God bless you and your family.

So sorry for the loss of your mom..it sounds like her passing was a beautiful experience for all of you. Im sure she will be missed, but she is always in your heart.

I'm sorry to hear of the loss of your Mom but what an inspiring message.

Oh sweetie - I'm so so sorry about your mom. Your post was just beautiful and you were a very lucky woman to have her in your life....I only hope when it's our time we can all have those feelings and love. That was very beautiful

my condolences to your family. I'm very sorry for your loss

ps...that poem has me crying

Im so sorry for your loss. You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers. You seem so calm and accepting, I am so glad you found peace in this.

Hon, so sorry for the loss of your Mom here on earth to you & yr family! She sounds like a wonderful, caring, strong, loving with all her heart Mother. Her legacy definitely shows & carries on with you. Your story has touched my heart!

I am so sorry for your loss. That's wonderful you had such a loving relationship with her. May she R.I.P.

I can hardly see to type. :cry: What you wrote was so touching. Your Mom was a very special person and so are you. May she rest in peace with her precious Shelley. Hugs to you and your family.

Sorry for your loss. Prayers for you and your family!:lovewings

I am sorry for the loss of your beloved Mother. She sounded like a very special lady. Having lost my Mom last year I know the terrible loss you and your family are going through, Hugs

I'm so sorry about your mom..may she rest in peace

OH MY GOODNESS!!! What a beautiful BEAUTIFUL post! It really touched me! -- I have tears rolling down my face. AND that poem!!! OH MY!! :love-hug1

Your mother sounds like she was...is...a wonderful lady....I know her love and spirit will forever surround you and your family!

That is a beautiful tribute to your mom. It just filled my heart. Thank you for sharing with us and I wish your family peace.

I'm so sorry for the loss of your mom. I'm so happy that she was such a spiritual woman and so full of life. She is actually getting the greatest gift of all......ETERNAL LIFE WITH HER LORD! I know its so hard here on earth because we miss them so much. But seems like you have a very good outlook aS to what your mom would have wanted and you know how very happy she is now. So rejoice in her memories til you meet again.

Prayer with you and your family

It is very hard to lose a parent but it sound like your family is being very strong. It is nice your mom can pick up her beloved dogs on the way to heaven across the Rainbow bridge.

My grandson asked well if you died and the dogs go with you what about Grandpa? I said the dogs and I would go back across the bridge to meet him.

I'm sorry for your loss.
Hugs

You are all so thoughtful and far too kind. For those that think I am a strong woman, I don't know about that. But I do know that my mom was able to set the stage in such a way that she helped us as much as she could. I guess moms that are able just do that for their family until the very end. We have good days and tough days.

For those that I made cry, I hope they weren't sorrowful tears. My mom wouldn't like that. ;)

But my mom's love of animals was passed on to all her family, and that's why YT has always been a special place to me - filled with a very diverse range of people - albeit all animal lovers. She used to like hearing my YT stories.

I'm so sorry for your loss. :( Your mom sounds like she was a very special person. Thank you for sharing that poem with all of us. It was beautiful.

Diane,
Your beautiful post is such a tribute to your mother and I am certain that she is smiling down at you. It is good that in such a time of despair, you and your family were able dwell less on the sadness and more on the joy of the life your mother had and the joys she brought to all she knew.

Hugs to you and your family for the sadness that you feel.