In late December, my mother-in-law who was already suffering late stage liver disease and awaiting a transplant, fell and broke her hip as she walked up the steps to her doctor's office. This was follwed by much pain as she already had a couple of broken ribs and vertebra from previous falls. This trauma likely caused the liver to fail and it was downhill, very slowly, from there. Eventually Mary won a bed in UAB's ICU and we had great hope that they could help her but finally the family was called into that room where the doctors ask the family to make a life support decision. It was time and Mary had suffered way more than anyone ever should. Saturday January 6, 2007 the choice was made to remove the respirator and let Mary rest. And she did, in a room filled with her children and grandchildren fluffing her pillows and holding her hands, just as she would have wanted it to be.
The folowing Monday my new son-in-law left to join the Army. We were so busy with funeral arrangements and stuff that I didn't get to see him that weekend before he left. I didn't get to tell him how proud I was of him. I hope he knows. My husband was not crazy about the idea when Sarah first told us that Ricky was thinking about the Army and I think Ricky knew that. I had to convince Rick that Ricky and Sarah had to make their own life now even if it meant moving away, probably a long way away. I'm so glad we never had to tell Mary. This news would have broken her heart (and likely done her in if the fall had not). Sarah and her grandmother were so very close and Mary adored her greatgrandson. Thank goodness for small blessings.
Tuesday night visitation was held. All of Mary's brothers and sisters, and there were 6, from all over the country were there. The funeral home scheduled 2 hours from 6:00-8:00pm but it was well after 9:00 before the line out the door tapered off. Mary was well loved in our home, in her church, and in this community.
Wednesday the funeral was held early in the afternoon. Though Mary and I were never really close, she was a loving everpresence in our family and I knew better than to where mascara today. At the graveside service doves were released. I haven't ever seen that before, not that I go to a lot of funerals. This was neat. One dove lingered and had to be shewed in order to get it to fly off. Richard, my father-in-law remarked, "That was Mary! She always wanted to stay just a little longer to visit." That indeed was Mary.
Bye Mary. I'll miss you.
