We all sat around her hospital bed two days ago. She had just come through an episode that I can only tell you that in its frightening intensity was like watching someone drown. The wonders of modern medicine fixed the problem and Mom was obviously so relieved and calm again with a sparkle in her beautiful blue eyes and a soft smile on her beautiful face.
A young 'elderly advocate volunteer' happened by to chat with her. As we sat back and listened intently. The young girl, Sara asked many questions about my Mom's life. My Mom proudly answered and shared about her childhood, her marriage, her children and grand children, her likes and interests and so forth. We were thrilled to take in her every word while watching the pride and joy shine from her wise and loving and gentle spirit and memory. Sara also did a type of cognitive test like date and time and who is the President and my Mom was so proud to show her that she can say the alphabet backwards. Sara was quite impressed. :-)
Sara then handed my Mom a clip board and paper and asked her to copy a design an also to write a sentence, any sentence she wanted to write. My Mom copied the design easily and then she paused and wrote:
"LIFE IS WORTH LIVING".
When we heard what she wrote we were in awe of her faith and strength and hopes amidst all the tubes and procedures and being poked and prodded. You could have heard a pin drop - as we absorbed her immense faith and strength. Hallelujah!!
It is no secret really as to why my Mom has such faith - and this song below is so fitting.
P.S. Mom is in surgery as I write this post. God be with her. Praying for all good outcomes.
P.P.S. Damian is holding his own. Each day a precious gift-
37 comments:
I'm thinking about how you often speak of Surrender. Right now, that's about all you can do: Surrender to life's currents and trust you'll wind up somewhere that makes perfect sense once it's all in the past.
Holding you in the light,
T
HI TRISH-
Yes, surrender. And perfect sense when I have faith and believe that all is as it should be. I waiver. sigh..........
I feel your beautiful light from your beautiful spirit. "thank you"
Love to you Texas
Gail
peace and hope.......
I pray for your mom and for Damian. I smile at the sentence she wrote...and I say, "Good on ya' " when she told that she could recite the alphabet backwards!!
Hugs to you, Gail.
Jackie
HI JACKIE-
She is amazing and the surgery is over and it was a success. Thank you God! :-)
SO nice to have you visit.
love to you
Gail
peace and hope.....
I am leaving this comment with much trepidation because I realize that either I won't explain it well and/or it could easily be taken the wrong way (i.e., at first blush, it may sound insensitive).
While I agree that life is worth living, we all reach the point in which death is worth dying.
Life is a precious gift and it would behoove each individual to use every last ounce of it, to embrace it with both arms.
Though we often don't recognize it, death too is a precious gift. It comes when we've used up the last ounce of the gift of life. It liberates us from the pain (physical and emotional) of trying to hang on to something that has been used up and spent.
I hope I explained my point without causing undue upset.
HI R T
Oh yes, you explained your point well and no upset was caused. I agree with you, totally. And so does my Mom. In fact, when she had the episode on Monday, when she was filled with fluid and unable to breathe without great difficulty she was very ready to let go if nothing could be done. Once that was resolved she was ready to fight for life again. She is very much a realist and a woman of great courage, strength and wisdom.
Your comment was very well stated.
Love to you
Gail
peace and hope.....
Sounds like all of you have created a serene environment where you can all be who you are and be received with love and acceptance.
Your mother's zest for life is heart-warming. May it see her through her surgery.
Light and love to you and yours Gail.
I will be praying for your mom and Damian Gail.
Reciting the alphabet backwards? That to me is amazing, my memory is horrible!
Your mom sounds so awesome, just like her faith. Please keep us informed. I will be waiting. Love Di ♥
Oh my precious Gail, your Mom is such a gem. I have been reading lots about legacies today. your Mom has you loving and standing by her side, that is the most precious gift you can give her now. I am glad the operation went well. think of you always, hugs to you, may we laugh together soon.
Glad to read the surgery was a success, Gail. Life is worth living especially when one has such a caring and appreciative daughter as you, Gail!
Positive thoughts for you mom!
♥...Wanda
I know I don't comment often, Gail. But I do read. My thoughts are with you and your whole family, near and far. I know this must be a difficult time but your writing shows a strength - similar to that you so admire in your Mum.
Take care. I hope that all is well in the end.
Hi Gail,
It was so touching to read about your time with your mother. Those are the times that you will always remember and cherish.
Take care.
Smile.
So much is here - about the gift of life for one who's been through a good part of it and then the little PS about one who is only beginning a treacherous journey.
Prayers and good energy is all I have for you. Life is worth living...
Amen to that!
So glad your mom made it through surgery okay......she is a fighter isn't she an Damian doing so well is wonderful news.....Life is good again for a while my friend.
Continuing to keep everone in my heart and prayers...I am only an e-mail away Gail......:-) Hugs
Gail, I am praying for your mother and you and your entire family. Thank you for dropping by and leaving your comment.
Life is worth living! Thank you for sharing!
Jackie - jackiesmagic
HI JACKIE
So nice to see you. And thank you for your prayers and concern. It means a lot. :-)
HI BERNIE-
I love that you are with me on this journey. Your love and prayers and wisdom are such a comfort and strength. :-)
HI SHEN-
Thank you so much for your understanding and support. I am so glad we met and are sharing our life's journeys. :-)
HI CHOICES-ANNE
Oh yes, that moment, that one sentence is imprinted on our hearts and in our good memory place forever. Thank you for sharing in these life-changing moments with me. :-)
HI ANDY_
I know you are here. I feel you. :-) ANd thank you somuch for seeing my strength in all this - I do have a source of power upon which I rely. I really appreciate your words to me. :-)
HI WANDA-
Thank you so much for the wonderful compliment to me. Wow!
And for all your shared love and wisdom. :-)
HI CINNER-
To laugh with you would be so wonderful. I so appreciate your kindness and wisdom and love and friendship. I need you girl :-)
HI DIANA-
Isn't that amazing about my Mom and her ability to recite the alphabet backwards? She is just the best. Thanks so much for all your prayers and yor loving friendship. :-)
HI BONNIE-
thank you so much for ALL your shared gifts and talents and wisdom. Your creative bvlog-space is so often a refuge in the storm and your visits here always are so reassuring and comforting. :-)
I LOVE YOU ALL
Gail
peace and hope.....
What a beautiful song! What an amazing and inspiring mom!!! You are soooo blessed! Will keep your mom and Damian in my prayers!!! You are such a lovely lady, and this post shows such strength...Now I know where you get that...you are obviously much like your beautiful mom! Love, Janine XO
So glad to read that your Mom came through the surgery okay. I hope she'll be more comfortable.
Thanks so much for sharing her story, she's an inspiration.
And thanks for keeping us up to date on your grandson's progress too.
And I do agree with The Rambling Taoist, that death too is a gift. Bernie and I just exchanged thoughts on that very subject as she wrote about it in a recent post.
And I also agree with you that it's so easy to waiver on your very own convictions at times. Just when you think you see the clearing in the forest everything becomes all muddled and the spirit gets weighed down.
Praying that you always see there's a clearing up ahead.
Love to you,
Eileen
Gail, thank you for your openness. Appreciate the post very much. Lifting you and your family up to the Lord as well. Blessings dear one.
HI JANINE-
Thank you for all the love and prayers and for appreciating, with me, this part of my Mom's life's journey and mine. It is a powerful time.
HI JBR-
I so appreciate your loving words and prayers at this life-changing time.
HI EILEEN-
I so love how 'in tune' you ar with me, my heart and my thoughts. I find such comfort in that. And yes, I always have faith that I will find my way in to the clearing - the light. My Mom taught me that. :-)
Love to you all
Gail
peace and hope.....
.
You are a wonderful person! I am glad I have gotten to know you even if it is through blogging. Peace to you as well.
HI CWOV
Thank you so much for visiting and for your kind words. And also, I hope you know how much I value and respect the necessary service you are providing through your very informative and honest blog.
Love to you
Gail
peace and hope for us all.....
Having been kind of "missing in blogland" for a bit, this posts, Gail, awaken some memories of what i went through, even though i was not "old". I guess brain surgery can mess with cognitive abilities also. Best wishes for your mom. Lots of Prayers for all of you. I actually understand very, very well.
HI JOEY-
"thank you" so much for your prayers and well wishes. And I know you understand SO much SO well. You are a miracle.
Love you man
Gail
peace and hope for us all.....
Just wanted you to know that you've been in my thoughts!!! Love, Janine xo
HI JANINE-
"thank you" SO much. I feel you close to me.
Love Gail
peace and hope.....
Hi Gail,
I'm glad the surgery went well.
warmest hugs to you and your precious mamma :)
Hugs to you and your family as you wait on your mom to come out of surgery! This was such a beautiful touching post.
Hi Gail,
I'm glad everything went well.
My thoughts are with & your strong mom
:)
HI LOLA
thank you so much for sharing in this part of our family's journey with my Mom. Se is a brave soul -
Love to you
Gail
peace and hope.....
HI Together We Save
thankl you so much for taking the time to visit and comment. :-) I am so glad you enjoyed this post.
Love Gail
peace and hope.....
Just to say you continue to be in my thoughts and prayers! Love, Janine Xo
HI JANINE-
You stopping by and letting me know I am in your thoughts and prayers means more than this writing can covey. "thank you SO much"
Love to you
Gail
peace and hope.....
How inspiring. Your mother continues to be in my prayers. Yes, Life is worth living!
HI CORDIEB
So nice to see you -) ANd yes, my om continues to insoire and teach and amaze us all.
Love to you
Gail
peace and hope.....
Wow!! I love your Mom! Thank-you for sharing!
HI MAR-
She is amazing, huh? SO glad you happened by to share in the moment.
Love you
Gail
peace and hope.....
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