Mom died in her sleep during the night.
It's sad for those of us that loved her but she was more than ready, was totally at peace with it, and was looking forward to seeing my father, her parents and her good friends. And I know she isn't suffering anymore.
She was frustrated in later years by neuropathy that robbed her of feeling in her hands, by hearing loss, and eventually by diminishing eyesight.
It's difficult, of course, because I've spent the last eight years or so taking care of her needs. It will take some time to get used to not going by every day to check on her.
It will be okay, though. She and I spent a lot of time talking about this; she wanted to be sure I was ready and so she had everything organized and lined out ages ago. I've even found a little notebook where she wrote down every little piece of cut crystal or vase, every wedding gift and piece of silver, every piece of furniture, jewelry, and every item of importance to her in her house; she wrote down where it came from, who gave it to her, or from whom it was inherited. She wrote down which child she wants to have it after she's gone.
In that notebook she also left me a list of things to do: "Call the Social Security office so they don't send anymore checks!" "Get plenty of death certificates! EVERYone needs one!"
She had been through this with her parents and was trying to make it easy for me.
I still bungled things though. I did the obituary for the paper but I should have done it ahead of time rather than after they called me. I left out a couple of things, like that she was a graduate of Centenary College and a Chi Omega. She was proud of that.
She'll forgive me for that, though.
Mary Earle Texada Phillips
Shreveport, LA - Mrs. Mary Earle Phillips passed away on Tuesday, March 19, 2013. A graveside service will begin at 1:00 p.m. on Friday, March 22, at Forest Park Cemetery, St. Vincent Ave. Officiating will be The Rev. Paul Martin, Rector of St. Paul's Episcopal Church.
Mrs. Phillips was a native of Coushatta, LA and a resident of Shreveport, LA for most of her life. She was a member of St. Paul's Episcopal Church and a graduate of C. E. Byrd High School.
Mrs. Phillips was preceded in death by her parents, Florence and John Pintard Texada; her husband, William H. Phillips, Jr.; and granddaughter, Melissa Renee Phillips. She is survived by her daughters, Mary Margaret Grayson and husband, Gordon and Patricia P. Becker and husband, Steve; son, William Hutch Phillips and wife, Laura; grandchildren, Mary Francis Archer, Patricia Nicole Sumrow and John P. Austin; and great-grandchildren, Alex Archer and Benjamin Sumrow
The family requests that memorials be made to the Byrd High School Alumni Association.
The family would like to express their sincere appreciation the The Glen and Harmony Life for their compassionate care.
"Well, she really liked Frank Sinatra, but...", and he laughed.
"I'll tell you what," he said. "I can do 'What a Wonderful World' by Louis Armstrong. How would that be?"
Perfect! Mom loved that. I just couldn't have planned it better.
Bill Allen will never know what a wonderful gesture that was and how much it meant to me.
I have a strong support system, a great husband, and good friends, so I'll be okay.
It'll take some time, but I'll be okay. Mom would insist on it!
17 comments:
Prayers for your dear mother, Pat.
Prayers for you and your family.
I am sorry for your loss. Your mom sounds like a wonderful lady and I bet she's really proud of how strong you are. May God bless your entire family.
A very nice looking lady.
You were lucky to have the time together to prepare.
My deepest condolences, Pat. My prayers for you and your family.
Prayers for you and your family, as well as your mother's spirit.
Prayers for you and your family, Pat.
I will ask God to send you a special blessing Pat.
I am so sorry for your loss, Pat. Thoughts and prayers.
I am, as police say, sorry for your loss. She sounds like a lovely person, even accounting for the fact that you may be a bit prejudiced.
A story, which may or may not be appropriate. My mother had a close friend in Tuscon, an eldery lady whom I was quite fond of. She had a niece who she viewed as a daughter and several times expressed a wish that I could meet the niece, which never happened. She had made none of the preparations your mother had when she passed away, and straightening it all out fell on her neice, who lived in California.
I took it upon myself to assist as best I could, taking care of the car while she was “back home,” meeting her at the airport, taking her to dinner occasionally… My friends said that while I am a nice guy I’m not that nice and that something was going on, but I denied it. I was just being decent to a lady that was going through a difficult time.
That lady is my wife today. Like birth, death is part of God’s plan.
Prayers for you and your family, Pat.
My husband's mother left us last week - thank you for such a lovely post about your own mother.
oh... what a pretty lady she was. And I always loved her spunk in your posts! Thank you for sharing about her with all of us out here in the world. I know you will miss her, and my prayers are with you and your family.
Ouch. Just no easy or simple way to handle to death of a loved one, even knowing their relief and, likely, delight. All is well. I empathize.
Just found out today about your mother (I've been battling a lingering stomach virus). Hugs and prayers for all of you.
I didn't realize. You and all her loved ones have my sympathy.
I hope you are doing better. I stink at keeping up with the older blogs these days. My best to you and your family. I understand your Mother was ready and that she did her best to prepare you but the truth is it is always harder than we realized it would be.God's blessings to you for comfort and for peace to be with you. ::HUGSfromTX::
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