Monday, September 01, 2008

She Could Not Blink Her Eyes

My mother passed away peacefully this evening, age 92. I was with her.

Five weeks ago, she was living independently in her own home. Whatever happened to her--- there are symptoms but no diagnosis--- happened fast. It was a relief that she didn't linger.

I have already written a tribute to her here.

I have a vast and angry rant about the American health care system, but this is neither the time nor the place.

24 Comments:

Blogger aprice2704 said...

"We die because we are born"

is the only comfort I can offer.

Best wishes
Andy

10:43 PM  
Blogger tcastleb said...

I'm glad you were able to be there. My condolences.

11:00 PM  
Blogger John D. said...

You have my deepest condolences, Walter.

11:57 PM  
Blogger John Joseph Adams said...

Very sorry to hear that, Walter. My condolences.

6:37 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

What sad news. You have my condolences.

Bonnie

6:45 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Much sympathy to you and yours, Walter.

7:07 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Walter, I'm so sorry. You wrote so movingly of your mother. My deepest condolences.

--Deborah Roggie

9:24 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

OH, Walter, I am very sorry to hear that. May she rest in peace.

1:11 PM  
Blogger Thai said...

I know how painful it is...

Fond thoughts of support from across the electonic ether

2:18 PM  
Blogger Kelly said...

I am sorry Walter, very sorry for your loss.

2:36 PM  
Blogger Laurie Mann said...

I'm sorry for your loss.

If ranting about the "healthcare" system helps you (and anyone else), I hope you'll do so.

4:01 PM  
Blogger halojones-fan said...

"It was a relief that she didn't linger."

In general, this is about the only comfort you can find in these situations. The only thing worse than being dead is being nearly dead.

Don't rant about the American health care system until you've experienced all the others--to the same extent that you experienced this one. What you'll find is that every system is awful, albeit unique in their awfulness.

5:18 PM  
Blogger Ken Houghton said...

Condolences on her death, and glory for her 92 years.

She survived (short list): a major flu epidemic, (most of) two "World Wars," two major floods that destroyed much of Louisiana, long enough to see a moon landing, long enough to see a generation that has never known a moon landing, and a multitude of other strange events, including Princess Grace, a Hungarian water polo team, Vaclav Havel and the Velvet Underground, and Kenyatta to Mandela to Desmond Tutu.

As the villain says in the first Indiana Jones history, "This, this is history."

8:54 PM  
Blogger Maureen McHugh said...

Thinking of you, Walter.

9:23 PM  
Blogger Zora said...

How wretched for you. I'm sorry.

2:34 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Please accept my sympathies.

5:09 AM  
Blogger Dave Bishop said...

My deepest condolences, Walter. the tribute to your mother, that you posted recently, was very moving.

1:06 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Walter, please accept my sympathies. I just re-read your post of August 1, and was again filled with admiration for a woman I never met.

3:50 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I want to reach out and extend my electronic sympathies to you and Kathy.

Losing your Mother is awfully painful, no matter how prepared you think you are for it.

If you need anything, please don't hesitate to ask.

HUGS,
Nan

8:33 PM  
Blogger Responsible Artist said...

I'm sorry, Walter.

You're a good son.

Les

8:55 PM  
Blogger Unknown said...

My condolences.

9:34 PM  
Blogger dubjay said...

Thank you all for your concern.

Now I am dealing with all the bureaucracy involved in the death of a loved one. It is enough to make one testy.

12:53 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I read your original post about your mother. Thank you for sharing.

My father passed away last October at age 64 from kidney cancer. This October will be the first anniversary of his passing.

Losing a parent is a horrible thing. If there is anything that I can do, please let me know.

1:12 PM  
Blogger Michael Bernstein said...

I wish I had seen this sooner. My condolences.

7:13 PM  

Post a Comment

<< Home