DaBabs

My mom

My Mommy passed away at home at 1:02 Saturday morning, May 28. It was very peaceful and we were there with her. (I suspected Mom would die at night because honestly she was a total night owl her whole life. She used to make scrambled egg sandwiches or rearrange furniture in the middle of the night because she couldn't sleep! Our Dad, appropriately, passed away at 5:30 p.m., which was the end of the workday for him).

I had slept briefly from about 11 - 11:30 and woke up just as her breathing had changed. My sister and brother had gone to lay down - Steve was never able to, so he came back in the room and my sister Chris woke up as did Barb. So we were somehow summoned awake perhaps and were able to be with her in her last moments.

Earlier in the day, we had our opportunity to really say goodbye to Mom after the priest came and we had the sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick. After the sacrament, each of us thanked Mom for being so wonderful to all of us and some shared favorite memories. Her sisters were with us as well.

I, of course, shared how happy I was that my daughter is named after her. Sometimes Rachel can be so stubborn and it reminds me so much of my Mom - in a good way of course. So I know that she lives on in Rachel. I also talked about how proud and amazed I was by her ability to keep going - and thrive - after Dad died. She had told me once that some widows she knew over the years just gave up after their spouse died. She was determined not to be like that.

When Mom died, I recalled something she once told Johnny after Dad died. This house was so special to her. A lot of happy memories were created here and after he died, a lot of people were encouraging her to sell this big house. But at first, my Mom resisted. In fact, she even told Johnny that she'd have to be carried out!! Of course, she did start rethinking that and planning for a move at some point to a smaller place, but I couldn't help chuckling a bit. Because in the end, stubborn Roshe got her wish.

posted by DaBabs @ 7:34 AM