Friday, May 04, 2007

Remembering mom

My mother passed away at 11 a.m. May 4, 1991. She was 69.
That was 16 years ago today.
Sometimes it still feels like yesterday.
I remember the day. It was a Saturday.
My sister called and told me the news.
I had seen my mom the week before in San Antonio. She was already very ill, but awake.
I had taken Sarah to meet my parents and wish them a happy 45th anniversary. We still had hope that mom would be with us and with daddy longer.

She slipped into a coma before we got to the hospital. Sarah never got to meet her.
I had to return to work, it was a long week. So when that dreadful Saturday arrived, and I spoke to my sister, I couldn't get her words out of my mind.
I had asked who was with mom when she passed. "She was alone," my sister said.
You see, everyone was on their way to the hospital. They didn't make it in time, and she just couldn't wait anymore.
She was as strong as she could be and held on for as long as she could with the diabetes that took her sight and slowly ravaged her body.
I sometimes think she held on just for us. She was always proud of each year she celebrated with my daddy and fondly spoke of their first date, which was on Dec. 7, 1941.
I am grateful they saw 45 together.

4 comments:

Sarah said...

You honor your mother's life beautifully. And I'm sure she would be proud of the woman you've become.

Motownrunner said...

Thanks for ruining my make up this morning! Just kidding. This is a beautiful post. It made me cry and call my mom too. Thank you.

World of Isaac said...

wow....great blog Liz

Marisa said...

I'm sitting at my kitchen table, Blake and Kevin are playing Contra in the living room, and I am SOBBING in my Lean Cuisine.

Sobbing...