Thursday, April 16, 2015

April 16, 2015

It is with a heavy heart and tears in my eyes that I write the words that I hoped to never have to write... Mom passed away in her sleep this morning.

She had been doing well, and had improved enough that we were able to transition her from nursing care to assisted living. We moved her things and signed all the paperwork on Monday; she was really looking forward to having her own private room and we set up a little twin bed with plans to get a loveseat, bedside stand and other furniture on Saturday. She was very tired after the move, but we talked about what art supplies she wanted me to bring and what she could use as an art table. She had already decided it would go along the window that looked out onto the garden.

She was so excited when she heard that she could have an electric fireplace, and I threatened to take her credit card away from her if she went crazy shopping online before we had a chance to check out the Restore furniture place in Glenwood. :-)

I called her on Tuesday, and she said she was tired and having some problems breathing but that they put her back on oxygen and that helped. The doctor checked her lungs Wednesday and said they had improved and sounded clear. This morning the nurse brought her morning medications around 5:45, and said Mom was bright and alert and joked about dropping one of her pills. Before the nurse left, Mom said she was tired and would sleep a while longer before breakfast. When she didn't show up by the time breakfast was over, they went to check on her and found she was gone.

At her request, there will be no formal service. She has directed that she be cremated and her ashes scattered at Fremont Lake, which we will probably do later this summer.

The last eight months were hard on her body, but her mind and her spirit never failed, in part to the love and prayers you sent her way. Thank you to everyone who called and sent her cards and emails; it meant a lot to her that you all cared.

Best personal regards,
Tracy