Three weeks ago today I returned from visiting my mother in a hospice in northern Michigan. Two days after that my sister called me to say that my mom would not make it through the night. Just about every day since I have heard the same, but she continues to hang on by an ever-slimmer thread. I had planned on making the 10 hour drive last week, but then the nurses began a morphine drip for the pain and said that she would not regain consciousness. My sisters urged me not to come at that point. And while it has been an excruciating wait here, my heart really goes out to my two sisters, who have been keeping vigil for weeks.
And then, two days ago, my bride received a phone call. Her mother, who was 56, had died in North Carolina. At this point no cause of death has been determined.
Obviously, this is a lot. I will not be posting here until things settle.
Some may find it bitter that so much death is visiting us in this, the Pascha time, when the Church celebrates Resurrection.
Not me; I find great comfort in the icon of the Resurrection, in the hope that one day Christ will reach out and free us all from the prison of Death, and bring us into the beauty of a resurrected, perfect Life.
Pray for all of us.
Update: I got the long awaited call from my sister yesterday, about an hour after I wrote this post: my mother died, peacefully and without struggle. Lord have mercy…
Daniel and Michelle,
I am so sorry. Our love and prayers are with you and your family.
Brutal. Strength and peace to you and yours.
Dan we are so sorry. May God comfort you and Michelle. In our prayers.
Anna
You’re in my prayers. Lost my folks young, I don’t imagine it gets any easier when you’re older.
Prayers.
May their memories be Eternal! You will all be in my prayers.
Our prayers are with you all!
Deep peace… great consolation to you.
I am very sorry for your loss, +Eternal rest grant unto them O Lord and let perpetual light shine upon, may they rest in peace+
Our condolences on your losses. How devastating for you both! We will pray that you receive consolation and Our Lord’s peace as you grieve.
May they rest in the Lord.
The gift of faith is most appreciated at these times…and the consolation of the Holy Spirit and from brothers and sisters will sustain you as you grieve, as you remember, and as you celebrate the mothers who gave you life. Our prayers are with you all!
Danny, I am so very sorry for your double loss you are in our thoughts and prayers during this time.
OH both of you now…Wow.You can say,as you have about the wonderful times,that you have shared this at the same time-a very sorrowful time of life.For your family..prayers.
Memory eternal. My sympathies for your loss.
May she rest in peace.
My prayers are with you…
My prayers are with both of you. Lost my Mom a year ago.
I am very sorry for your losses. Prayers for you and your entire family.
I don’t know how you do it, sir. May their memory be eternal.
By God’s grace, they are entering a New Life. “Unless a grain of wheat shall fall……”
We pray to the Lord of the Resurrection.
Prayers for the repose of the two mothers’ souls — and for their grieving families. I’m new to this blog, having discovered it via Rod Dreher’s Crunchy Con book — but already your posts here have struck a chord.
Take all the time you need, Daniel — our thoughts and prayers be with you until your return.
May our Lord’s grace and love be with you through this difficult time. Your families will be in our prayers.
The Lord’s grace and love be with you and your family during this time. My prayer will be with you, and may their memory be eternal.