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Dallas, Texas, United States

Monday, May 12, 2008

The Steel Magnolia

Hi folks. Well, 24 hours after my last entry, my mother passed away very peacefully, softly, sweetly. She was indeed a fighter until the end.

My brother absolutely had to be out of town from last Wednesday until Friday night, which left me feeling quite alone. Mom had time and time again asked that he & I be at her side when the time came, so you can figure that I was nervous that he would not be there.

That day, I had been with her a good portion of the day, however a very good friend of mine had flown into town that afternoon. I figured I could grab a bite of dinner and get back to Mom's pretty quickly.

We had a great time at dinner - and a couple of cocktails, which would come in handy later on. After dinner, my brother called to say he'd made it back into town and was wanting a report on Mom's condition. We decided to meet at her place as soon as possible, just in case.

He got there a few minutes before I did and got to have a few minutes of private time with her, before he tended to some of her mail in the kitchen. I got there and had a few minutes of private time myself, before I joined my brother in the kitchen to iron out some "what if's" with him. Not 3 minutes later, the hospice nurse called us into the room. Mom was gone. She absolutely had waited for her children to come back before she left for a much better place. According to the hospice nurse, Mom suddenly turned her head up towards the ceiling, her eyes making contact with something or someone who made her smile sweetly, and then she just stopped breathing...the slight smile still on her face.

Even in her frail condition, she had held on strong. That's what I mean by "steel magnolia." A beautiful southern woman with the unbelievable strength of steel. Funny thing is: her favorite flower was the magnolia.

Fly with the angels, Mom, surrounded by lovely scented magnolias. I love you.

8 comments:

MrRyanO said...

Sorry for your loss :(

Sassy Blondie said...

Dear Cruiser,

My deepest condolences for the loss of your mom. How wonderful that you and your brother were able to have some time with her before her passing. After reading your May 8th post, I lit a candle at the church and wished for peace for your family. I hope there will be peace despite this devastating loss. Be good to yourself now, dear.

Love,
Sassy

CruiserMel said...

Sassy - ya know...that candle did work. If memory serves me, about that time, I felt a serenity come over me. No one has to tell me there isn't someone up "there" listening. Big hugs to you.

And, to you, too - RockDog - You are a sweetie, no matter what you say! This isn't a fun thing to blog about, but such is life. And life does go on. Many happy things to report here in the future. I'm BAAACK!

D-HOR said...

Oh Cruiser Cruiser, I'm sorry, yet so happy you were all there and she went the way the nurse said. You're sounding so strong in all of this, you're being amazing, I do hope you're as ok or at least half as ok as you sound. We're here you know, gone a lot, but still here for ya.

Big ole internets HUGGG!!!

xoxo's
- Lindy

tdawg said...

Mel,

What a blessing that all three of you were able to be there together during this time. Hopefully the peaceful way that it happened that evening was somewhat of a comfort to you. I hope you have felt all of the hugs being sent your way across the miles from your friends. I am thinking that many of your Mom's attributes will continue to live on through the person that you are.

Take Care,
T

Anonymous said...

I'm sorry to hear about your loss. Yes that is a blessing that you were able to have that time together. Mucho e-hugs.

Thatgirl7278 said...

I am so very sorry for your loss. I wish you all the e-strength I can share during this time.

CruiserMel said...

You people rock. ((internet hugs))