Amazing Grace

-


My sister and I were so blessed to have the opportunity to do what most don't have the chance to do which is care for our mom at the end of her life.

It has been a hard month, but one I would never take back. I'm thankful I made the decision to not go home for Thanksgiving because Mom passed away on Tuesday night. And I'm thankful that God gave us what we desired which was to be there with her by ourselves when it happened.

We laid her to rest the day after Thanksgiving in a small ceremony officiated by my brother-in-law. She loved autumn so we picked colors we knew she'd love. She is in a crypt next to my grandmother and my stepdad has a space next to her.

I have many overwhelmingly sad emotions this morning. My mom was our greatest supporter and the one I could always turn to when I needed a listening ear. I also feel like I've lost a dad too. My stepdad has dementia and is going to live with his daughter. He will be well cared for and loved, but mom was our connecting link. I'm afraid that at some point in the near future he won't even remember who we are.

I'm headed home this morning and we will be back after the holidays to empty out the house. However, it won't be the same. The loved ones who made the house a place where we were welcomed are gone and all that is left are meaningless trinkets.

Our lives will go on and I'm thankful that I will always have the memory of being there at the end of Mom's life. It was a difficult Thanksgiving, but God's blessing was evidenced in many ways. That is a blessing that will stay with me always.

God's grace is amazing and sufficient for all our needs. I'm seeking His grace to see me through the hard road of grief ahead.


Comments

  1. ElizabethdNovember 28, 2020 at 12:11 PM

    Terri, I'm so glad you listened to the still small voice, and stayed with your mum. What a comfort you and your family must have been to her, even if apparently she did not know you were there. I firmly believe that at the end of life one is aware of the presence of loved ones, somewhere deep inside.
    Sending you my sympathies and a hug.

    ReplyDelete
  2. SandiSue3n2November 28, 2020 at 6:51 PM

    Praise God for whispering to you to stay, and for being so gracious and merciful to your mom, your sister, and you. I pray that He blesses you with strength, comfort, peace, and even joy in the days ahead. May you sense His loving arms holding you as you grieve the loss of your precious mother.
    ~Sandi

    ReplyDelete
  3. LynnNovember 29, 2020 at 11:18 PM

    Sending sympathy, prayer and love.

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

I love your comments and encouragement! I can't always respond back but do read each comment.

Popular posts from this blog

Choosing Not to Kick the Cat

-
Image
The choices we make can either be good or bad. So many don't realize that even our attitudes and feelings are a choice. We have a choice each day to make that day one in which we will react to our circumstances or choose not to react. I can choose to let someone else's bad day ruin mine, or I can choose to not take on someone else's attitude. When Dan and I were first married we worked for a sales organization. I still remember listening to a motivational speaker, Zig Ziglar who was talking about this topic. He gave the scenario of a man being a work and having a boss that was berating him all day long. The man then came home and snapped at his wife. His wife, in turn, yelled at their son for a small infraction because she was upset. The son was now hurt by his mom and pushed his little sister. She, being the youngest, turns around and kicks the cat! Zig talked about making a different choice by not allowing others bad behaviors and moods cause you to respond in the
Read more

Oh What to Do; I'm Sixty-Two!

-
Image
Today is my sixty-second birthday and it's hard to believe I've achieved that....um....seasoned age! My first thought this morning was one of not being sure that I like it. However,  as I thought I about it, I decided to take joy in the fact that I've reached an older age. Because age comes with benefits. Benefit #1 - I'm a bit wiser.   When I look back at some of the decisions I made when I was younger, I cringe. With age has come the ability to slow down and think things through before I make major upheavals in my life. I've also discovered that getting worked up about certain things is just an absolute waste of emotional energy. Benefit #2 - I'm enjoying my life.   As I've aged I've learned all kinds of skills and hobbies and can honestly say that I'm never, ever bored. I love all the different things I'm able to do and it's fun! Benefit #3 - I've learned to appreciate my relationships. With age I've learned to work on developing a
Read more

Eating to Live

-
Image
  Despite the unexpected busyness and interruptions, I have been plugging away at my weight loss as well as writing the plant-based, whole food cookbook. Recipe testing fell by the wayside the past two weeks, but I've still gotten a good chunk of the book done. I also got on the scale this morning for another one pound loss which makes a total of 61 lbs. since I started this journey back in July. It's second nature at this point and I have so much more energy and feel healthy. The only negative is that because I've lost so much weight I'm seeing some sagging, crepe-papery skin happening. Yuck. Some of that is age and I need to figure out some toning exercises. It's definitely a life-style change, but a positive one which I'm so thankful I started on. The pictures above are a small selection of meals I've eaten the past two months and many of those will be included in the book.  This will be a printable e-book as I find that will be the easiest and most cost
Read more