SAD DAY

On Monday, Feb. 23rd, my 91-year old Mom died. She was fine just two weeks earlier, but a hospital-stay infection led to her death. Early Sunday morning, Feb. 8th, a doctor successfully removed a blood clot from her arm and when I spoke with her that day she was fine. On Monday, the doctor successfully inserted a stint in her arm. And again, when I spoke with her that day she was fine. But when she awoke on Tuesday morning her condition had taken a 360 degree turn for the worse. She developed a bladder infection and a blood infection which exacerbated her congestive heart failure. It was too much for her system and she passed away. I was stunned and heartbroken to lose her.

Both my Mom and I grew up and lived in Madison, WI all our lives. For 40 years, we enjoyed playing duplicate bridge together once or twice a week. And when my grandchildren (and her great grandchildren) were born we babysat for them once a week. She even helped me with my website, www.FunnyPhotosContest.com a photo contest for cute or funny photos and photo captions. And so my Mom and I were very close. But my Mom and sister moved to Henderson, NV a year ago. I promised we would speak on the phone every day and I would visit her twice each year, on Mother’s Day and Thanksgiving, which I did in 2008. I am so grateful that I was able to spend that special time with her. In addition, during the two weeks she was in the hospital, we spoke every day and on several occasions told each other we loved one another.

Although, I grieve that she is gone it is what she wanted. Since the day my Father died 13 years ago, she told me often that she didn’t want to live anymore. Furthermore, it was not pleasant living with my sister who has a terrible temper and would pick fights with my Mom almost daily. In addition, a couple months before she died she even said, “I wish that just one day, Marcia wouldn’t pick a fight. Maybe I should just take all my pills and be done with it.” It is so sad that she is gone. But in my heart I want to believe that she is finally with my Dad again in heaven. At the very least, her body was flown back to Madison, WI and she is buried beside my father and so once again … she is next to him.