My mom passed away three years ago. To say we were close is a major understatement. We talked several times a day and were always doing things together. I miss her every day.
Her mother, who we called Nana, passed away 15 years before my mom. Nana and my mom had a very good relationship but geography limited their time spent together. I would have told you their bond was not as close as my mom’s and mine. Now I know different.
My mom passed away at home, under hospice care. I never left her side in her final days. We knew the end was near. I held her hand and stroked her head. She was unconscious but I believe she knew I was there. I was concerned that she didn’t want to leave me behind and so I assured her that I would be fine and that I understood she had to go.
In her final hours, the only word she uttered was “mom”. She kept saying it over and over. The hospice nurse was wonderful and had given me instruction and confidence so that I could ensure my mom’s comfort. She also provided information as to what I could expect as we got closer ro the end.
One of the things she told me was that loved ones on the other side may come for her and that my mom may begin speaking to them. I was taken aback by her matter-of-fact delivery of this possibility. I quickly tried to reconcile her words with what I believed. But all I kept thinking was this woman has seen a lot of things. Who am I to question what she said when she had seen it time and time again? And yet I thought, “What the . . . ?”.
In my mom’s final hours, the only word she uttered was “mom”. She kept saying it over and over. Although I had been told this could happen, I was shocked. What hit me immediately after the shock was that my mom used the word “mom” instead of “nana”. I had never heard my mom call her mom anything but nana. But now she wanted her mom. And based on what I experienced and what the seasoned hospice nurse told me, I have no doubt her mom came to get her.
Events of the last few years have challenged my beliefs and my faith. But I know when my time here is through, I will be welcomed by the ultimate Welcome Wagon. After all, my mom brought me into this world, why wouldn’t she be there to help me out of it and on to whatever comes next?
Happy Mother’s Day Mom and Nana.
