OT: Thank You!!!

There are two events that I would like to share with you regarding our final journey with my mom.

The first you may have read on my mom’s Caring Bridge site, but I’ll repeat it here. An ex-girlfriend of my brothers, Linda, whom he is still great friends with, is part Native American. She was working with her tribe’s spiritual leader for intercessions for my mom. Tuesday morning, the spiritual leader called Linda, Linda called my brother, my brother called my dad, then my dad relayed the message from the spiritual leader to two of my sisters and my uncle, which was, “Tell the family their mom’s okay, she’s at check-in." After relaying the message, my dad turned around to face my mom and she had just stopped breathing. This serious of conversations took place within a matter of minutes prior to my mom’s passing. I’ve always believed in the after-life, but of course, at times I’ve doubted it. Not anymore!

The second involves my sweet little Alfie, (for those that don’t know him, it’s my 4.5 pound Chihuahua, a.k.a., The Granddog).  With my dad’s blessing, I brought him with to the wake on Thursday evening. As the priest was giving the prayer service that evening, Alfie started barking in the direction of my dad. Alfie really isn’t the type of dog who barks at just anything, he could care less about squirrels, rabbits or birds, rather he mostly only barks when he wants me to pick him up, when someone comes to the door and when he sees big dogs at the dog park. So the only conclusion I can come to is that my sweet Alfie saw (or sensed) my mom sitting in the empty chair next to my dad. Some may call me crazy, but I do believe that animals are equipped with much more sensitive senses that we humans are, but even if it’s not true, the thought that it could be gives me much comfort!

So thank you all for the thoughts, prayers and notes that you have sent me. I really appreciate everyone of your thoughtful acts. I’m not really convinced that it ha**** me yet that she is gone. I’m still numb thinking about the fact that she isn’t coming back, but I know time will ease the pain. If I could be so bold to ask for one more favor…please pray for my dad and my family on June 13^th. That is my parents 50^th wedding anniversary and also the day we will lay my mother to rest and start to go through my mom’s things. Please pray for strength for all of us and the ability for each of us to continue to cope with how each other must sort through this difficult time.

Each of you has a special place in my heart for your thoughtfulness! For that reason, I feel I must tell those of you that smoke that SMOKING WILL KILL YOU!!! I pray that you and your family never have to go through what my family has gone through due to something that is completely optional. More importantly, I pray that you have the strength and courage to quit - if not for yourself, than do it for your family - their journey could be a lot longer than the 5 days my family endured.