Yesterday, I said I was going to write about my Mother’s passing. Well, here goes…
As you can imagine, it was a difficult time, although not unexpected. My mother had been in failing health for some time, due to a weak heart. She was on oxygen for 2 years, and her quality of life was just not very good.
So I expected it. She never went into a nursing home and died in the hospital in fairly good spirits. It’s the way I would want to go.
I had some grieving time where I felt my “roots” had been taken away…as my Dad died in 1996. Living in Ecuador disconnects one from family, and I had to deal with the possibility that I would not be seeing my siblings much in the future.
I had this overwhelming feeling of “I don’t know.” It was like everything that I valued was being questioned. It was very traumatic. Did you ever get that sick feeling in the pit of your stomach, when you don’t know what is going to happen? Well, this one was much bigger than I ever felt before.
I went through a couple of days of when people asked me how I was doing…all I could say was, “I don’t know.” It was very unsettling.
Then things began to get better. It helped when my sister said she really wanted to keep the family together by meeting once a year. Then my brother said we were all invited to his place for Christmas. We talked about other places we could meet too. It was very reassuring.
So I guess I am over the worst of the grieving process. I learned that family is very important, and that being connected is crucial.
So if you are going through the same thing right now…or will be… keep the connection you have with your family.
If there are any further insights that I get through this process, I will be sure to let you know…so you can be better prepared for the inevitable.
Thanks for listening!!!
