Well, it's over.
This week, I mean. This has been the longest week of my life.
The visitation/viewing wasn't nearly so hard as I expected it to be. There were so many people, I really didn't get a chance to talk to anyone for terribly long. The funeral director originally was only giving us one room for the viewing, but after we told him how many people came up to the hospital (over 200, and that DOESN'T count any repeats or family!!), he decided to open up a second room. When we went in on Tuesday to see Mom, he told us that they were going to have to install more phone lines because of how many people were calling about her!! He decided to open up a third room, which is what we had, 3 rooms. Mom would have LOVED it.
The funeral was hard. I'm going to have a hard time singing any of those songs again for a while. But, as my cousin Bobbie put it, if my (future) kids give me a funeral like that, I promise not to come back to haunt them. Jim did a really good job. I think he had a hard time, since Mom was such a good friend to Kathy, and to him.
It really was nice to see all the extended family. Most of the cousins and aunts and uncles I haven't seen in a long time. Terrible circumstances, but really nice to see everyone. Also, side note to the family: Sorry about not coming to McDonalds, I was just completely wiped out. Next time, I will be there.
We are learning to adjust to our new life. We are all going back to work/school Monday. I'm planning on just jumping in head first and keeping myself as busy as they will let me. Pete and I are going to church with Dad tomorrow. We will be back at Lakeside soon, but we were warned about some of the stuff that will be on the videos tomorrow. I would really rather NOT run screaming from the church in the middle of service, so we are opting to go with Dad instead. Honestly, if he says he needs us to start going with him, we will do so, at least for a while.
Funny, the things that keep popping into my head. Random memories, like going shopping at Christmas, or our Friday lunches and pedicures. Lunch after hair appointments. Chatting on the phone on my way to work. Hugs, every time I walked in the door or left the house. That stuff is gone. I have a picture that Pete found, that I now have framed on my desk at home, of Mom giving me a hug right before I walked down the aisle at our wedding. I'm REALLY gonna miss that stuff. Already do.
Pray for us as we find our footing. I feel like the rug was just totally yanked out from underneath my feet, and I haven't hit the ground yet, I'm just falling. We are all learning to adjust right now.
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I wish I could of been there. But, I know she is in Heaven and she and my mom are plorbably playing bunco together...or they are making up cards to invite eveyone to bunco....either way, I know there are only smiles there..no more tears nor pain. THANK YOU! for keeping us always informed, even when I know the pain much of been unbelievable...you still updated us. Donna has a wonderful, strong daughter.
ReplyDeleteI felt it was a perfectly beautiful testimony to Donna's life. Anyone who met her did see Jesus shining through her.
ReplyDeleteMuch love & super big hus.
Nicole,
ReplyDeleteI am so so saddened by the loss of your mother. We were friends way back when. My daughter Ashley and Eric went to school together at castleberry and were in the band together. We also went to church together.
It is still hard for me to believe Donna had cancer let alone to have lost the battle. I always had so much respect and admiration for your mom. I cannot even phathom how much her children will miss her. She loved her kids more than life itself and it was very evident.
I am so sorry for your loss.
I will commit to pray for your family, through these next rough months.