Sorry ...I hit the wrong button...that's where my brain is.

As careful as we tried to be to keep mom safe, she fell anyway. Grandkids are starting to come for visits, but there is no guarantee she will know them. They waited too long. I hope others on this site with ailing family members will encourage visits before it is too late.

Anyway, God has been good to us and allowed opportunities to talk about the really important things of life and death with her. His peace and strength are evident and we are trying to serve Him and her in the time she has left.

Wow, you really have your hands full right now. It sounds as though you as doing everything you can do for her, to make her safe and comfortable. You are not in an easy spot right now, but you are being the best daughter you can possibly be. It's amazing and pretty scary how fast they can decline and how one thing going wrong can become six. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. Hang in there and keep us posted as much as you can.

Christmas, I just want to add my thoughts and prayers too. I know this is a difficult time for you, but you seem to be handling it with wonderful grace under pressure. I can certainly identify with your last sentence. My mom is in a memory care unit. Her mind is certainly not what it was, but I try to remind her of her strong faith. I keep a hymnal & Bible in her room so that I can sing to her and read portions of Scripture. I choose songs that I think she might remember. The same with the Bible verses. It's so encouraging to me when she joins in on a chorus or finishes the last few words of a Psalm. You're so right -- those are the really important things of life. May God be with you as you help your mom make her final journey here on earth.

I just wanted to say God bless you and your husband and your mother. I hope the last month(s) will serve to bring you all closure and closer. You are in my thoughts and prayers.

C.

Thanks for the kind words and thoughts and prayers. Mom is failing faster than was projected. We are probably looking at a weeks at most...unless she breaks out of this pattern of decline. The nurse comes this morning, so we will know more then. The terminal agitation is ramping up.

Several grandchildren were in this weekend. She went from actually having a good conversation with one on Thursday to blank stares at the ceiling and incoherent speech on Friday. The oldest and most faithful grandson flew in from Boston to experience Friday only to come Saturday morning, and after she got oriented, he was blessed with a real conversation with her. They said their "I love yous". By Sunday when we returned from church early afternoon, we saw the the huge decline. Two more grandkids came and had to say their tearful goodbyes without Mom being very aware. A married grandson and his wife, from 5 hours away, saw her Sunday morning and my brother thinks mom knew they were there.

Systems are starting to shut down more, but we are still feeling blessed to be able to have her here to care for. This is so hard, but still, the strength God gives us along with the peace and wisdom, is a joy to think about and experience.

Trusting God for His plan,
Terri

My heart goes out to you and your family during this time. I know how terribly hard it is to say good-bye to a mother. It is so nice that the grand children are coming to visit, and yes, she does know that they are there, and she knows that she is loved.

God bless,

Just sending those hugs and prayers to handle this time in her life and yours. Maybe just quietly reading a short soothing poem, soft music, or even pictures of birds, flowers, and scenes will help.
Occasionally a single picture will bring back a memory to both the person who is ill and those comforting them for a fleeting momement.
I send you the best.