Wednesday, September 10, 2008

waiting


Here is a picture of Mom's flower garden...this is from this summer.

ok, well I am sure as time gets close there will be more and more posts like this one. That is ok right?

I really don't know how to handle my mom leaving me.

Yesterday it hit me really hard. I thought I was being so brave all along...I guess not.

I kind of had a hard week last week...just that everyday life kind of stuff we all deal with from time to time. Julia hasn't been sleeping at all at night and my health seemed a little jeopardized from the lack of sleep. I felt worn out and really just wanted a good conversation with Mom.

Now most of you know that my relationship with my mom is a little surreal...my roommates in college could never quite get it why I wanted to talk to my mom so often- until they met her. It is true I have always been very close to my mom. She is my friend. I can share every feeling and it is ok with her. She is understanding yet wise with her council. She never makes me feel bad when I make a poor choice- she only bears her testimony often and reminds me how much Heavenly Father loves me...I just always feel like she cares about me- and she listens to me...

Yesterday I called my mom...

It didn't seem like it was her on the other line. She was distant and her words were kind of scattered. She wasn't making sense. I instantly became a little upset. I don't know why I got upset but I became defensive and angry that she wasn't being "mom". After only 5 minutes she started to slur her words and she forgot what she was saying. My eyes filled up with tears. I finally said, "Mom, you're acting really tired, why don't I let you go so you can sleep" she replied, "Yes I am tired..." I tried to crack a joke about how Dad and her should try to sleep on her hospice bed together... and she didn't laugh...I can always make my mom laugh. She just remained serious. My heart ached a little as I longed to hear her contagious giggle...but it was gone. The tears were now coming down hard (kind of like right now) and I knew...I just knew my mom will never be the same again.

come back Mom....please...I need to talk to you. I need to tell you about my day. I need you to be proud of me...you are so good at being proud of me. No one really cares as much as you do about the little things- you always get so sincerely excited when I tell you about Mckenzie and Julia. I miss you. I miss you for all the selfish reasons right now. I love how confident I get when I am around you. You have always supported my talents...thank you for always believing in me. I miss our talks the most. It has been awhile since I have really talked to you...I better get used to the wait. I love you Mom.

5 comments:

Joell said...

I'm so sorry, April! I used to think that maybe it would be nice to have some advance notice of death so that one could tie up loose ends and say, "goodbye." I don't think that anymore. I can see that it's soooo hard to say "goodbye" and to watch goodbye. I wish I could get her back for you--for at least one good phone conversation.

Stephani said...

My heart goes out to you and your family April... I'm so sorry for the way life must ache for you as you see your mom fading...
I also remember her contagious laugh. I remember going to your house on Sunday mornings way back in good ol' 17th ward when my mom convinced me to be in choir with her, and practice was at your house in the mornings before church. I remember how cheerful your mom always was, what a great personality she had, and I still remember the sound of her voice singing...I remember how she would smile at me in the halls at church when my family fell apart and I felt like a ward outcast...and when we lost Jarom I remember her coming over with a meal and a wonderful painting she had made for our family, and sharing her love for us during that time...What a sweet and special lady...
It is so wonderful to have the gospel and to know we will get to see those we love so much again...Sometimes I wish I could have the perspective of time that the Lord has though...the way years here are mere moments there. It would certainly help the wait to be more bearable to think of seeing those we've lost, sharing talks and hugs again in just a few minutes...

Marne said...

I am totally crying right now April....I can't even imagine how it must feel. Someday when I am going through the same thing I will be calling you. I hope that you can at least have a few more "mom moments."

Stacy said...

April - you are so inspiring - I too am crying while reading this. It makes my heart ache for you. This week has also been a really tough one for me. Lots of contention in my home. As I read your words I am sure that my own children would never say all these nice things about me (I've been a bear). I want to be the kind of mom your mom has been to you. I can only imagine the highs and lows that you have as the days tick by. Please know that you have inspired me to try and be a better more patient mom to my own children. Someday - I can only hope I have this same wonderful relationship with my own kids! Thank You!

The Checks Mix said...

What an amazing flower garden! It should be from a movie. April, how much heartache you have to go through. You are such an amazing spirit. I love the way you can talk about things so openly--it is SO healthy--even though it really hurts. I miss your mom too though I only met her once for a few minutes I feel like I know her so well through you and the blog she used to write. I have really been praying for you and your family. I pray that you WILL have some sweet moments with her before saying goodbye to fill some of that intense ache. I wish I could hug you right now.