I attended a family friend’s funeral last week and talked to my husband’s cousin there about her mother. She’s 87, been very sick this summer, shuttled back and forth from nursing home to hospital. This daughter cared for her at home up until about June, when she no longer had the knowledge or ability to care for her herself. She said “We got Hospice for Mom. She’s confused, doesn’t know who I am, she’s scared and in pain. She’s being kept comfortable now and we’re not doing anything else but that. Because to do anything else would just be torturing her.”
I understand that completely. You and your siblings should make peace with the idea that your mom knew what was best for her, even though it was hard for you guys. I know...it seems like our parents will always be there, strong and guiding. She was ready though, you did nothing wrong and neither did she, for knowing it was time. Death is natural, it happens to all of us as surely as being born does.
It was such a ghastly experience that none of us can talk about it yet. As the weeks went by, each day she got smaller, and somehow, sweeter - like a little child. The feeling of helplessness was unbearable. But you’re right, there was something holy in the air. Can you imagine what it was like at JP II’s deathbed?
Hard to believe that everyone has to go through this in life!