Winter of Life

I always love the winter holidays.  From the candy dispensing of Halloween, on to the feasting in November, followed by the National Day of Shopping.  By the first week of December, I'm filled with spirit and joy and ready to hang the garlands and drape the tree.  Addressing Christmas cards by hand and including little personal missives makes me feel like I'm visiting with friends and relatives not seen in years.  Oh yes, this is a joyful time of year and I'm not anxious to see it over.  We'll soon celebrate Christmas, plan to ring in the  New Year, then love a little Valentine treat.  I'll be ready to start looking forward to spring!

Throughout the year, we remember birthdays that arrive during all seasons.  Just before we arrived at winter, Ol' Abner's mother marked her 85th birthday.  She was in "Memory Lane", the Alzheimer's unit of a nursing home.  We tried to have flowers delivered to her, but were told that leaving them in the room was not allowed as some of her "guests" often ate anything colorful.  A telephone conversation was very unsatisfying as she had difficulty talking.  Her breath was ragged and I could barely hear her whispered words.  She seemed to be in pain.  This would be her last birthday.  Our niece notified us that it was time to move her to hospice when she was hospitalized in respiratory distress.  We visited on Saturday, and said our goodbyes.  It was clear that life was slipping from her.  On Sunday, with two of her granddaughters and her eldest grandson present, she quietly passed away.

Ol' Abner was her firstborn and by law is responsible for final decisions.  Unwilling to make decisions alone, he proceeded to try to reach his three younger brothers.  The oldest granddaughter had been the primary caretaker for the last three years and he was so grateful for her input as he completed paperwork and gave necessary permissions.  She and the oldest grandson took charge of planning the memorial service. I helped with calls to other family members.

Memories of many years have been revisited by telephone these last few days.  We will honor her life with a celebration this weekend.  I will rearrange the results of the Christmas decorating to dig through some boxes and albums to find pictures of the feisty little woman who gave birth to the love of my life.