Tribute to Mom - Sweet Dreams Pretty Woman

The last three weeks have been incredibly happy, sad, challenging and at times extremely frustrating.  My sister and I rescued our mom  exactly three weeks ago from the Adult Family Home she has been living in for almost two years.  Mom was unhappy, she felt her boundaries weren't being respected and she wanted out of there.  My sister and I moved mom in with me and we had 8 glorious days seeing mom so incredibly happy.  Mom loves "water" and she was able to see Lake Washington every day as she sat in her recliner and looked out the living room window.  She smiled every day and had an appetite that made us smile.  Hercules loved spending time on his grandma's lap and she kept saying that "He is just to cute!" as she stroked his fur. 

What we weren't anticipating was having to move mom to a Hospice Center on the 9th day.  Fortunately we were able to stay in mom's room and we were with her until she passed away late Saturday night. I'm so thankful that my sister Denise was there with me.  Denise and I were like bookends - and we were each standing guard over mom each and every day.  It's so hard to watch someone you love slip away a little more every day.  It was gut wrenching at times but worth every single second. 

I really miss mom and my little home feels so empty without her.  I miss her smile!!  I miss her sparkling blue eyes!!  I miss her hugs, the touch of her hands in mine, I miss seeing the love in her eyes and now my heart has to learn to beat to a new rhythm in life.  I miss seeing her when I get up in the morning and tucking her into bed every night.  I will miss seeing her dance to "Pretty woman".  It was so cute - we would put that song on and she couldn't resist dancing to it - she loved it!!

Mom showed me how to be strong and to never give up!!