Thursday, February 11, 2010

Blackbird singing in the dead of night

It's hard to find the words, or even to think of what to say. Deep breath.

Yesterday morning, my mom passed away. This was not what any of us was expecting. She'd been in the hospital because she'd been having difficulty breathing, but the doctors were delighted with the progress she was making. (We learned, once she was admitted to the hospital, that she had COPD -- none of us, including her, realized that.) I had mentioned how difficult January was -- my brother and I had moved her from Seattle back to Chicago (where my brother lives, where we are from) because she'd been left just completely alone and unable to care for herself. But it all seemed to be working out -- she was now living with family who loved her and doted on her, she was able to be with her great-grandchildren, and we were all working together on plans for visits. My brother called an ambulance one morning because she just wasn't breathing well at all.

She was scheduled to be released from the hospital yesterday to an interim care facility, to help her transition from the breathing support/therapy she'd been receiving in the hospital to the level of care that could/should happen in a home setting. My brother had been asking the doctors from the beginning if I needed to fly out right away at any time, and he'd been told there was absolutely no need and that she'd be back home again soon. But in the early morning hours yesterday she had difficulty breathing, and as they were working to set her up to receive oxygen, her heart failed.

I spoke with her on Monday. I had just no idea that it would be our last conversation. I told her I loved her -- I always told her that, and she told me she loved me too, as always. The hole in my heart is unfathomably deep. I feel utterly adrift. My brother has so wisely been talking with me about all the hidden blessings -- that we got her out of her apartment in Seattle where, without care, she would have died alone, that she didn't have a long, drawn-out period of suffering, that she knew how very much she was loved and that she did have her last 20 days on earth surrounded by family.

But I didn't get to say goodbye, and I know how hard that's going to be to have to live with. I'm glad that I did call her every single week, that I'd send her pictures and packages, that I never missed a birthday or holiday. But it's hard not to think of how much more I could have done, and to regret not simply going out to Chicago just because she was in the hospital.

In my dream, we are going to spend the day together at the Art Institute. We'll wander the galleries, we'll have lunch, we'll browse in the gift shop before heading outside to hold on to the lion's tail for a moment to feel the vibration from the traffic on Michigan Avenue (which we know is REALLY the spirit of the lion). We'll remember how many times we walked up and down this particular stretch of the city, back and forth to ballet classes, to Christmas shopping at Marshall Field's, and that time I first got glasses in 7th grade and was so overjoyed and amazed to see that you could ACTUALLY see all the branches in the trees on the street. We'd have years ahead of us.

14 comments:

Sam I Am said...

oh my gosh.. i am soooo terribly sorry. i wish i had the right words..
i wish this never happened..
i wish for your heart to be happy again..
i wish i could send real hugs thru the internet..
please know you are in my thoughts and prayers.. xoxoxoxox

Unknown said...

My thoughts are with you. I don't know what else to say.
with love,
Helen

Julie said...

I'm so, so sorry, Jennifer. I read this post with tears running down my face.

Praying for comfort....

KristenMary said...

Oh Jennifer, I'm so sorry. What a frustrating situation. You seem to have a wonderful family and I hope that they are a comfort to you in this time. I'll be sending you positivity from Minneapolis.

Garnered Stitches said...

My thoughts are with you Jennifer.
best wishes
Alison

Natalie, the Chickenblogger said...

I am sorry.
_________________
__________________
____________________
My heart is heavy. My words are tied.
This is a sad time.

Diana said...

I'm so sorry, Jennifer. My thoughts are with you and your family. Take care.

Gina said...

Jennifer my dear friend I cannot tell you any words that will make you feel better. Just know that you are in my thoughts at this difficult time.

Love and hugs Gina xxx

Lynn said...

Oh, Jennifer, I am so sad for you and yours, and so sorry for your loss.

Laura Jane said...

Such a sudden loss, with goodbyes unsaid. Your brother is wise, but I know you would give anything to have made that last trip.

Thinking of you all

Katie said...

I am so sorry for your loss of your mother. The suddenness is just breath-taking. I know how hard it is. My thoughts are with you today.

You can call me Betty, or Bethany, or Beth ...Just don't call me late for dinner. said...

I had gone out of tow and just found this post today. My deep condolences for your loss. My love and thoughts fly to you.

Gwen said...

I don't know you, but I was in the Valentine exchange with Bethany Mann, and found your blog there.

I am so, so sorry for your loss. I lost my mother this summer, with a some what similar experience and I know what you are going through.

Know that your mom knew she was loved, and she wouldn't want you to feel any sadness or guilt that you weren't there to say goodbye.

I will always miss my mother, as you will, but it does get a little easier to bear.

My thoughts and prayers are with you.

Mama Spark said...

I went through the same guilt of not having said that final goodbye. It's been 9 years now. It's hard but it gets easier. I miss her but she is in a better place now. My heart breaks for you and your family. May God bless you and keep you well.