My husband’s Mom passed away early this morning. She was a special and loving mother-in-law. She gave me my husband of 39 years. If it were not for her, I also would not have my three sons and their wives and my seven grandchildren.
She was a woman who was always in good health until her mid 80s when she was diagnosed with ovarian cancer. She went through chemo treatments and the accompanying loss of her hair. In the end, however, her numbers begin to rise again; and the cancer once more reared its ugly head. She has been under Hospice care since Spring and in bed continually since early June.
She is with her Lord right now in heaven, and we are happy for her. We are sad in our loss, however.
We all knew that a funeral was in the not so distant future. I had been thinking about Wayne’s attendance at the funeral for awhile, but I really started thinking and worrying about this recently.
Wayne’s tendency for extreme fatigue and need for an exorbitant amount of sleep is very high. If he has an event one day, he will often “crash” the next day and sleep all day. If he gets really tired, he really can not function the next day. Hence, Wayne and I had just talked; and we he had decided that he could not attend BOTH the viewing and the funeral. He just would not be able to handle that. Since he would prefer to go the funeral, he will not be able to go to the viewing.
I will try to go to both. The only problem with that is that I can leave Wayne for a couple hours, maybe three hours or so, but he will have to use the bathroom at some point, and I might have to leave also at some point to go home to help him to the bathroom. I will try to get something in place so I can be there the whole time for both the viewing and the funeral.
I am feeling very emotional right now. On Tuesday night I attended the funeral of a friend from our church, and now we will be having a funeral for my mother-in-law. The emotions all seem to blend together with the feelings of grief I sometimes have because of Wayne’s declining condition.
It is not a grief without hope and joy, however. I am glad that my faith and God’s Word gives me that hope and faith. Without it I could not function. With it I can persevere.
Hi Sharon–Oh, gosh, I’m so sorry! Your mother-in-law sounds like she was much loved by all of you. It’s a very sad loss.
You are already implementing your “saves”–you’re making good decisions about the wake and funeral. That’s important, especially given you both will be emotionally tired.
It’s always in times like these that we are grateful for our ability to stay connected while yearning for that face-to-face connection. Know we are here for you.
Keep us posted…
Hi Sharon,
I am so sorry. It sounds like your mother-in-law was very special to each of you.
You always have so much to think about. Thank you for your example of perseverance.
You are all in our thoughts and prayers.
His grace is sufficient…His strength is made perfect in our weakness…
United with you in your grief…hope….and faith..
much love in Him…
Sharon, I am so sorry to hear about your family’s loss. You are in my prayers.
Sharon, greatful for the joy and hope that you have, praying for your continued strength and your family’s comfort during these times.
Sharon,
I am sorry for your loss. Even when we know it’s really best for those we love, we can’t help but cry for ourselves because we no longer have them with us. You have really had a lot to deal with lately. I know that the Lord walks with us through our hard times and carries us through those times when we could not make it on our own. And I know that we have angels watching over us; they hold us in the dark times of life. Both you and Wayne are in my prayers tonight.
Sharon, I am so sorry to hear about your family’s loss. Like the Apostle Paul said, ‘we weep but not as those who have no hope’. You and Wayne will be in my prayers today.