Family Time With Mom

        So, it's been 5 days since mom's been placed on Hospice. That word "Hospice" means something very powerful to us. That frightening end-of-life word. But, it's not frightening, it's warm and comforting.

  Mom's caregiver told us on Tuesday, "treat everyday, as if it's the last time you'll see your mother." "What?!?! what does that mean?" Well, when the words register more in your mind, it's her way of telling us to make each day special. We should always treat each day with those that we care about as if it's our last day with them. We have no idea the plans that God has in store for us, but when we get this warning let's take it as a blessing. We get to spend time with our mom, tell her we love her, tell her she's been a great mom and that we will see her again.

       Mom has no shortage of visitors, yet she does not seem overwhelmed by the company.  She was placed on Morphine yesterday and we were told that gangrene is in her leg, and her heart has some peripheral congestion.... all seem worth treating in any other instance, but for her and this time in her life, we just pray and medicate for her comfort. She is fairly comfortable and she's able to talk a bit, not conversations but a response to activities around her. For instance, Kyle came to visit his Beppe after work, walked in with his dirty cowboy hat and was looking around for a proper place to set it. Mom, with her arthritic fingers, simply points to the hook on the door.... hmm, don't we feel silly.

CRC Directory photo, 1968    

       Rena told her, "Mom, I love you, and you've been a great mom to all of us." Mom's response was a quick shrug of her shoulders and a smile. As if to say, well, of course, you're my kids and I was your mom. Mom never took life too seriously, to some, she may have seemed cold and insensitive, could've been her strong Dutch heritage, or the fact that she immigrated as a child, survived the Great depression, or the loss of her husband when she was just 55. All 'this' is nothing in comparison. But, without the mushy words, we know and saw her love everyday of our lives.

David, Rena, Charlie, Mom, Annetta & Jim

       She finds her native tongue to be more comfortable at times, and she resorts back to her younger years as well. Why do we find those old Dutch sayings to be so funny? But it felt good to share the laughs together. We talked about our childhood. Rena said, she was the cool mom when she was young. She dressed 'hip' and had closets full of clothes. Charlie and David said they appreciated that mom would warn them when dad was coming into the house, so they could run out the back door. See, dad didn't believe in idle hands, and well, mom was a little softer.
      These and many other precious memories to treasure and to hold forever in our hearts.