My mother leaned into my arm as we wove through the turns upon turns that guided us out of the eighth floor of the hospital. We walked past where we had fetched cold water. We walked past the nurses’ station. We walked past the windows overlooking the capital and cathedral, that bank of leather chairs I had paced by, checking in with siblings, checking in on kids. We reached the elevator, a melancholy of a finish line.
Oh Nell, I'm so sorry that you lost your mama. It is such a hard grief. My mom died in Hospice from cancer on Feb. 27 - I was with her, coaching my very stubborn and independent mama that it was ok to let go - and will never ever forget how thin the space is, as you so beautifully articulated. I still think about how sharing birth stories is so common, but there isn't really space to share the death stories we've been witness to. I felt like a midwife to my momma's holy transition.
As a hospital nurse, I have been present and witness to so many final earth side moments. And in many cases, it has been some of the most beautiful moments I have ever experienced. And to know, when that final breath is taken, that I get to be one of the very first to carry their soul into their face to face with Jesus with my prayers for them in that moment. And I pray that whenever I'm called to take my own last breath, that there are people there lifting me up in prayer.
Was it your aunt who died? I am so sorry for your loss. Please give your Mom a hug for me. My mother has been gone for over 40 years but I still wish I could call her and talk to her. Another dear friend died a few months ago and most recently my across the alley neighbor for over 40 years (a good and holy woman) died. I truly have more dear friends in heaven than I have on earth!
Oh Nell, I'm so sorry for your loss. Your words are poignant and true. How could we handle grief without the sacraments and Christ, let alone hope in the Resurrection?
Such a gorgeous tribute to your aunt, Nell. I am so sorry for your loss. My grandmother passed in a similar way- cancer diagnosis to death in what felt like the blink of an eye. Sending you love and prayers, my friend.
This is beautiful Nell. I have been with so many loved ones as they make the passage from this life to the next.
Please pray. My twin sister and I were born on Christmas Eve. We buried our Mom on Christmas Eve so many years ago. I am disabled, my husband has cancer and my twin lives many hours away by air.
She had terminal cancer and is on hospice at home. I am literally watching my twin being eaten up by cancer via FaceTime.
My heart is broken. Please pray that she holds on to celebrate our birthday and the birth of Emmanuel, our Lord, our God, our Savior and our King.
Be blessed in your grief. I pray for you and your family every day.
Oh Nell, I'm so sorry that you lost your mama. It is such a hard grief. My mom died in Hospice from cancer on Feb. 27 - I was with her, coaching my very stubborn and independent mama that it was ok to let go - and will never ever forget how thin the space is, as you so beautifully articulated. I still think about how sharing birth stories is so common, but there isn't really space to share the death stories we've been witness to. I felt like a midwife to my momma's holy transition.
As a hospital nurse, I have been present and witness to so many final earth side moments. And in many cases, it has been some of the most beautiful moments I have ever experienced. And to know, when that final breath is taken, that I get to be one of the very first to carry their soul into their face to face with Jesus with my prayers for them in that moment. And I pray that whenever I'm called to take my own last breath, that there are people there lifting me up in prayer.
Gorgeous, friend. So hard and so true, every word.
Was it your aunt who died? I am so sorry for your loss. Please give your Mom a hug for me. My mother has been gone for over 40 years but I still wish I could call her and talk to her. Another dear friend died a few months ago and most recently my across the alley neighbor for over 40 years (a good and holy woman) died. I truly have more dear friends in heaven than I have on earth!
Oh Nell, I'm so sorry for your loss. Your words are poignant and true. How could we handle grief without the sacraments and Christ, let alone hope in the Resurrection?
Such a gorgeous tribute to your aunt, Nell. I am so sorry for your loss. My grandmother passed in a similar way- cancer diagnosis to death in what felt like the blink of an eye. Sending you love and prayers, my friend.
This is beautiful Nell. I have been with so many loved ones as they make the passage from this life to the next.
Please pray. My twin sister and I were born on Christmas Eve. We buried our Mom on Christmas Eve so many years ago. I am disabled, my husband has cancer and my twin lives many hours away by air.
She had terminal cancer and is on hospice at home. I am literally watching my twin being eaten up by cancer via FaceTime.
My heart is broken. Please pray that she holds on to celebrate our birthday and the birth of Emmanuel, our Lord, our God, our Savior and our King.
Be blessed in your grief. I pray for you and your family every day.
Colleen