My Mother
On August 23, 2004, my mother, Vera B Price passed away after a short battle with pancreatic cancer. At first they told us that she would have 4-6 months but things changed quickly. She got the diagnosis in the hospital and after a few rounds of chemo-therapy the decision was made to take her home for her final days. I have a deep hole in my heart now that will never be filled but during this terribly hard time many blessings unfolded.
- My mother got to say good-bye to her family and friends. She was surrounded by those who loved her dearly. We were able to keep her at home right up to the final moment. I am so thankful for that.
- One night as I was sitting with her, I said to a friend, “I just wish there was something I could do to give her peace and my mother, with closed eyes, very strongly and empatically said, “You do give me peace!” What a comfort to remember those words now.
- She roused herself up one day and said, “I have seen my dear sweet Jesus. It is so peaceful, so beautiful…… I could see and feel the peace within her. Again, what a comfort, what a joy, and she looked so beautiful as she was telling us about her experience.
- As she talked about one of her grandchildren she began to sing a lullabye to her. I couldn’t stop crying, yet my memories of all the times she showed her love to my daughters and my sister’s daughters is ever with me.
- She had such courage thoughout the pain and even had us laughing so hard at times, crying softly at others, and running a whole gamut of emotions that are hard to explain.
- Her sense of humor remained to the end. John and I have two dear friends, Sam & Diane, who my mother also loved. Sam came by one day and after talking a bit, my mother quietly said, “Good-bye, Sam.” Tears flowed once again and Sam had to really struggle to not cry. He gave her a kiss on her forehead and departed. Then later after Sam had left my mother said, “Sam gave me the sweetest kiss but don’t tell him because Sam will just brag, brag, brag, brag! You’d have to know our good friend Sam to appreciate that but the laughter throughout the room was so good and helped us remain strong for her.
- She talked a lot and there was an urgency to what she had to say. While not all of it was within our understanding she was teaching us and giving us wisdom in an incredibly wonderful way. I am still sifting through much of what she said. I want to learn more about death experiences because something was happening that was truely inspiring but beyond my grasp at the moment. I really sensed that she was between two worlds. This too is hard to explain but I feel peace. I know she felt it, too. She has sent me on a journey that I think will give me more understanding of how to be more in the moment with those I love. That is so important. Relationships are what are important. She has given me much to reflect upon.
My former principal, whom I love dearly, gave the eulogy for my mother here in Georgia. She told her story well. My mother’s blog was mentioned and I remember thinking at the time…. I wonder if a blog has ever been mentioned at a funeral service before? I thought of her very first post, Am I blogging now? Good memories flooded me.
We then traveled to Texas to bury my mother next to my dad. This may sound strange but my mother made a grand exit and I am so proud of her. I hope when my turn comes, I can do half as well.
I returned to work yesterday and I am slowly emerging back into the world. She’d want that…… I love you dearly mother.
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