Hello, my friends.
I wanted you to know that Joe's mother passed away at 4:30 this afternoon. There is grief, there is anger, and there is some peace in my soul, knowing that the horrible pain she suffered for the last few years is finally over.
I was the only family member there when she died. The Good Sister, who has been caring for her for the last six years, was at work. The other Good Sister, who flew in from California on Friday, the RN, was out getting Mom's medications. Another sister was in Florida, because she didn't want to cut her prepaid vacation short. Two others were just so terribly busy. Joe, of course, would have been with her night and day if only he could. But it was just me and the Aide when she stopped breathing, blessedly in her sleep after not being able to sleep for days.
Grief: Because she accepted me as her son when my own parents could not accept Joe.
Anger: Because the vacationing sister and husband were yelling at me on the phone that they now want the funeral put off until Monday so they can drive up.
And because our neighbors, the Macbeths... well, if they had a potted plant on the deck of their boat, I'd throw it overboard, if you get my drift, Mr. Roberts.
I went to pick up my niece from high school, while the police were there with her mother, the Steel Magnolia, doing all the paperwork. I stayed until the funeral parlor came to get her.
Joe has on his "teflon suit", as he says, and only asked me not to cry when I visit him tomorrow. "I'll have my break-down when I get home, not before," he says.
I know you all send good wishes, but please don't feel you have to break up the conversation here for this, as I am a fan of M*A*S*H* and know that laughter is the best medicine. Oh, a Readers Digest reference!
Example:
Me: Now she's finally with your Dad again.
Good Sister: No, Bill. She went up.
Carry on, crows.
