The Laughing Wolf

Indeed, Someone You Should Know

Go here and read this. Could you make the decision to teach and lead as this man has?

Funny, but thoughts of my Mom have been in my head this weekend for some reason. Not the normal memories, but the ones that hurt: of her in the final stages of ovarian cancer. Of being able to pick her up in my arms -- so light even as dead weight -- so we could change the pads under her, and having her bladder empty as I did so. Of her throwing up coagulated blood and worse in the final hours, and having to rest her head on a TV tray to make both breathing and throwing up easier.

Mom was determined to do a few things in the time she had left. She fought the cancer, but at the same time she was determined to live. She did the normal things, she did some of the fun things she wanted to do. She was determined to make it to Christmas that year, to be at home for Christmas. On December 24, she did indeed go home for Christmas. I don't know what awoke those memories this weekend, other than the death of a friend. But, I choose now to rememer:

Mom, standing up to greet me, to hug me, as I got home, the last thing she did of concious mind in this world, and the thing no one thought she could do.

Of Dad, sitting beside her on the sofa, just touching her and letting her know he was there.

Of Dad getting thrown off the sofa later that night, when Mom's body decided to shift positions one final time. Of Dad staring in wonder at her, and commenting "She's still strong!" Of my fear at the huge thud turning to wonder, then laughter at the situation and the look on Dad's face.

The decision made by Blackfive's friend is a good and brave one. Do what you can to honor them, and to live up to the example being given.

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