2 Weeks Ago...8:46a.m.

Two weeks ago, at this minute, I got the call from Beth (get her link)that Mother was unresponsive. 

It had started out as an ordinary day for Mother...according to the staff of the assisted living.  I can imagine her up with her morning routine...bathing, dressing...cleaning with a dust cloth of some fashion in her hand...not sure what was going through her mind these last days.  She had become obsessed with cleaning.  Actually, always was, but used a normal balance with life.  But here lately, it was the number one thing on her mind.  Consuming.   I think it was because it was the only thing in her little life that she could control the outcome of.  Add to that the fact that Mother enjoyed cleaning. 

Wonder if she knew she was dying?  Wonder if she had glimpses of heaven?  Wonder if she saw family members passed?  I feel sure she heard us rallying around her...talking tenderly to her, loving her, telling her it was ok to go be with Jesus....ushering her into heaven.

Death is an amazing event under natural circumstances.  Don't think I'm morbid please.  I am a great respecter of Life.  Being a nurse, and being a Hospice Nurse, I've seen many deaths.  I've "pronounced" their deaths in their homes and called the funeral home to come.  I've seen the end of life come many times.  I've given training on the end of life care and end of life decisions.  I've seen the clinical side many times.  I've also seen the loving side too.  Daddy...now Mother.  Being in attendance to share those last minutes of life....I'm thankful God allowed me to be there.  A great memory of being in attendance with them at the end of their lives, knowing they were in attendance with me in the beginning of mine...special bonding.

When I got home from Mother's funeral, I read the "90 minutes in Heaven Book".  It gave me reassurance of what Mother experienced.  It was a great comfort.  I would say Mother is "dusting" in heaven...but I'm sure she is at peace...and there is NO DUST!

Just 2 weeks ago, Mother was alive, walking, talking...that could have been the same of any of us.  She died unexpectedly, yet expected.  At any given time, I expected the call.  Then it came.

About a week prior...my cell phone rang...I saw it was Beth's home number...I became ALERT..."Hey Sis" I said.  Mother said "Hello Susie".   I was stunned.  Mother had Beth to dial my number.  It was only about a 30 second conversation...Mother talked, I listened.  She said, "I just wanted to tell you I loved you, and you know I always have".  I assured her I did indeed and that I loved her as well.  When she hung up the phone, I sobbed.  I thought she was going to die that night.  It was the last time I talked with her. 

God, our heavenly Father, has a way of showing us such love and compassion when we least expect it.  How very much he loves us....and always has. 

Goodbye to my precious, little Mother

My Mother is no longer frail and sickly...

Mother died on Thursday Morning, 052710, @ 3:15a.m.  Her "closing" was actually very smooth and easy.  She did have 1 seizure for about 15 seconds, then for about 25 minutes, she just slowly stopped living .  No more struggles.  No gasp.  No gurgles.  ...just peace.

I sat beside her, along with my sisters: Beth & Patsy, talking to her, singing her favorite hymns, crying, loving her.  She wasn't alone....one of her fears.

I kept thinking and wondering...what was she seeing.  Did she see our Lord?  Did she see those who had gone on before her...my Dad?...her parents?...her brothers & sisters? 

It has now been 5 days.  I've come back home, about 4 hours from Mother's.  My husband asked me if I had read 90 minutes in heaven by Don Piper.  We've had a copy at our house for some time now.  I hadn't.  That's what I've been doing today.  Amazing.

According to this author's death experience, you do see people you know.  He names one after another of people that lead him into faith with our Lord that were there greeting him in heaven.  Childhood friends that died early on...family and others.  He describes bliss, peace and unbelievable joy.  He even went so far as to describe his Grandmother who was "humped" over with osteoporosis (like Mother) and how she was standing straight and tall and beaming with happiness.  That soothed my soul! 

I'm so excited for her.  She was very conscious of how her body was failing.  Weighing only about 95 pounds now, Mother had always been so elegant, classy, respectable.  See, mother was aways the ultimate in a proper lady.  She would "hand-sew" the alterations of her clothing, in more recent years,  to make it hang right due to her mishapened posture from her osteo.  She very seldom wore pants b/c she felt a LADY wore skirts/dresses!  Funny!  And ALWAYS, ALWAYS, ALWAYS had lipstick on!  I know it may sound morbid, but even in her casket, she was elegant, "together" and cultured!  She would have been thrilled....trust me!  That made us all feel good.

She had picked out her coffin some 15 years ago and paid for it and her outfit to wear was pre-chosen by her to blend the colors!  Seriously.  It was all about the look.  And she definitely looked the part of a southern lady.  She would have been proud...right down to the lacy hanky placed in her hand to cover the discoloration.  Even though I've said through the years how crazy people are to take pictures of those in coffins...I did!!!.....but only b/c I felt like Mother would have wanted it!  I know our Mother!!!

Her service was just as she wanted.  And the people that came for her visitation/funeral was about 350 in number.  A very proper showing. 

People have said some very special things to us about Mother.  We knew...so it was no surprise to us, nevertheless it was nice to hear.  She was a giver, well respected and a mighty woman of God.   She was a Proverbs 31 woman without a doubt.  If only I can be a little like her myself.

Never again will I hear her little voice.  She would refer to me as "Baby Sue" or "Susie~Q" or "Sue Ellen" She called me a couple of weeks ago"".  She only talked about 30 seconds but said she called to tell me she loved me and that I should know that she always had....I did indeed.  I never felt unloved.  Never.  Mother was a wonderful mother who gave so her children could have things important.  Never were we rich monetarily, but we were in love, family and the heritage of Christian parents.  We were blessed beyond measure.

Goodbye Mother....you taught me much and I love you more than you will ever know.  Go be with Jesus...you have done well "thy good and faithful servant".

With love, Baby Sue