The Most Dedicated Woman I've Known...

A week ago today, we lost the most dedicated woman I've ever known...My Mom. It was very sudden almost a blink of an eye. She had been sick over the last year, but was on the mend. She had been in the hospital two weeks prior to her passing due to some severe disorientation and confusion. She was on steroids because she'd had an over-active thyroid problem. We believe the steroids contributed to some memory lapses which caused her to misuse her medication and take more than what she remembered taking. But they were trying to fix that.

Last Monday she appeared to be fine the entire day, but that night when my Dad was trying to help her to bed she said she needed to rest when she was only a few steps from the bed. He tried to get her to continue to the bed but he ended up having to help her to the floor. I went in to try to help him get her back on her feet and into bed, but we just couldn't. She became unresponsive and we immediately called 911. They got her to the hospital but it was too late. The doctor said that if it hadn't been for the CPR and breathing tube, she wouldn't have made it to the hospital, but we think the doctor was trying to be gentle. We don't believe she made it there.

My Mom had the same genetic disorder that I and my brother have, Vitamin D Resistant Rickets. When she was 6 months old she went into Shirners Hospital for a solid 18 month stay. She was 2 years old when she finally got to go home. The first time she touched grass she cried.

My brother and I both spent our share of time in Shriners and she was always there by our side. Long hours of sitting and waiting for us to get out of our various surgeries just so she knew we were alright and we could see her before she left to go home and get some rest. Taking care of us when we were sporting body casts and couldn't take care of our basic needs. She was our Superhero.

We will miss her dearly. Our lives will never be the same without her or her infectious giggle.

I took this shot 6 years ago, it is the view from the cemetery where, at the time, my grandparents are buried and now my Mom shares this view with them.



We love you, Mom! And we miss you so much!