I stood in the hallway where there were a few couches and chairs because the dark, cramped up waiting room was too much to bear at that point. I texted my boss at work, keeping the office up-to-date. I saw countless tweets come through, strangers reaching out to me. I texted my best friends with updates. I sat down, stood up, leaned against the couch, and leaned on the shoulders of my family.
We all took turns. While some of us waited there at those couches, others went upstairs to visit. Then, my phone started to ring. It was my brother who was upstairs at the time while I waited.
"We need you to come up here," he said.
"What's wrong?!" I asked in a panic.
"She keeps trying to tell us something but we don't know what she's saying and you're the only one who can understand her."
Before I could even hang up the phone in time, I rushed to the elevator, pushed the button, and ran into the room where I saw my brother, his fiancee, and my dad all distraught, in tears. I looked at my mom and back at my family, standing around her hospital bed. This wasn't good.
I took her hand as I knelt down close to her side.
"Mom? What are you trying to say?"
She was frustrated, exhausted, as she tried again to communicate with what little oxygen she had left.
She kept trying to tell us that my dad needed to go get something that was green. Something particular. Her words were muffled, twisted, and didn't make much sense.
It was at that moment that I started to see her go.
It was the first instance I could really see the life in her dissipate, rapidly.
With concerned eyes, I looked over at my brother who was at my mom's left side.
He looked at me, nodded, and said:
"It's time to say your goodbyes."
After that short moment that we shared, my mom said a few more things that I'll never forget. They were very spiritual moments for me. They were symbolic to me of her being ready to pass into the next life. I lost all control of my emotions. My heart sank deep into my chest and my knees buckled. It was happening. She was dying. Mere hours after receiving the prognosis.
Life stopped for me right there in those moments. Looking back, all I can see are flashes. I remember my mom telling us it was time to go. I remember walking back to the elevator with my brother and his fiancée. She wrapped her arms around me in the elevator as I cried the deepest cry my soul has felt. It was the moment of acceptance that my mom was really going to die soon. That I would soon be without a mother. That she was forever going to be gone from my life on Earth.
--
My mom lived for another twenty-four hours, enough time for her brother to fly in and for her best friends to visit to say their goodbyes. Enough time for her to tell me one last time,
"I love you."
9 comments:
Aw, post like these always make me cry. I can't imagine what it is like to face that. I don't want to imagine what it would be like to face that, because honestly, this is my biggest fear, of losing my mom. I hope everything is well for you :)!
I breathe heavy when I read these posts, but it is also evident in them just how special your mom was, and still is, and how great of a person she is in your life.
My mom has severe COPD and emphysema on top of that. Within the last year she has had two trips to the hospital, both lasting over 2 weeks. The first we were told to say our goodbyes and gathered around her bed. Prayerfully she has came through both! I am so sorry for your loss.
oh my god. I cannot even imagine =(
what a story. so special, really. I cannot image that feeling of that moment, but the fear - is probably the same to us. It's a mother. And always will be!
She will always love you, and will always be with you.
I wish you all the best. And be proud of yourself - you're so strong.. !
Ok, I just had a take a second and pull myself back together after reading this. So heart felt and emotional. Although I know it is different for everyone, I can totally empathize with you. Reading this I find myself remember very similar circumstances when my mom was passing. Hugs to you.
I love the vulnerability you share here, I cannot imagine how liberating, emotional, but yet comforting it is to share such personal feelings. I admire you!
I'm in tears. This was so beautifully written, Chelsea, and straight from your soul. I love you for sharing this. I know that heart-wrenching sadness and the feeling of loss. I know that deep cry from the soul. I'm always always here, if you ever just want to talk or cry or know that somebody else understands completely. Love you.
This is written so well it's like we were in the room with you, crying with you. I can't imagine how you felt that day. I get a lump in my throat & my eyes fill up with tears every time you blog about losing your mom.
She would be proud of you!
Post a Comment