My mother-in-law passed away yesterday and with her went a gentle, sweet soul. She knew that she was going and asked my father-in-law to sit by her side during the night. (They were in a nursing home.) He got up in the morning to briefly visit the bathroom and she said, "Don't be gone too long, I won't be here much longer..." He promised her that he wouldn't but when he returned, she had already passed. They were married for 70 years, -had married as teens, and this will be so very hard for him. I saw her last on Saturday and even then, she had a smile on her face.
Life goes so quickly...I remember first meeting her when I was in nursing school and it seems like yesterday. She was always kind to me and I appreciated how nice she was. It's easy to set someone on a pedestal after they are gone but she was quite ill for the last few years and yet that smile seldom left her face.
One of the things that brought the biggest smile to her face was the love of family. She would share pictures that she got in the mail from her children of the great-grands. She loved hearing stories about the new ones in our family and would always finish them with "Isn't that something?"
Somehow, despite the saddest of days, life does go on. We came home to find that Chelsea had taken Bryden to a Halloween party and he was dressed as a puppy. He didn't want to be held and realized he had a treasure in that candy bag!
He was thrilled with the whole thing and was wagging his literal and figurative tail!
When sitting with my father-in-law today, the only time he smiled was when asking about Bryden. When I told him how he enjoyed Trick or Treating, he smiled and then asked again.
The circle of life seems not to stop even in the seconds that make your heart stop for a while.
Good Night, Irene....you will be missed!
26 comments:
What a beautiful love note to your mother-in-law. And I love the title, which brings back wonderful memories of a gentler time.
=)
Donna, I have a feeling that your mother-in-law...is smiling from above. Such a beautiful tribute to her yet how very sad for you all. The fact that they were married for seventy years is a marvelous accomplishment. Irene was loved and will always be..it is plain to see. Sending you my deepest sympathy to you and your family.
Jeanne xx
A wonderful tribute.
... I'll see you in my dreams.
Bless you all, and lots of love. X
so sorry for your loss...that is nice you got to share time with her...you will all see her again...I'll be praying for your father in law. Jennifer
What a beautiful tribute. I'm so sorry for the loss of your Mother in Law. I hope you and your family find peace and comfort in your memories and in one another.
So sorry for your loss. She sounds like a wonderful woman.
She sounds like she was a wonderful lady. 70 years, that is amazing.
Your puppy is sure cute.
My condolences with the passing of your mother-in-law. It's always hard to say goodbye.
Your little sweeties are just the most ADORABLE, you lucky duck! Enjoy those moments to the fullest.
She will be missed, and your children will need to be filled in on what a terrific person their grandma was. So very sorry for your entire family.
So sorry for your loss...and yes, life does go on, whether it's life, death, or trick or treating.
Sorry for you loss Donna. Give my regards to your husband.
It's always amazing the circle of life. I remember my young cousins when Grandma passed away...they were playing tag in the cemetery after the ceremony. It brought comfort to a lot of the adults. As a teen I didn't understand the comfort yet, but little ones always bring the light and brightness to tough situations. Cute costumes BTW.
Life goes on, yes; but with a gaping hole. I think it helps if we keep plenty of photos around, and continue to talk about the deceased in as normal a way as possible.
My most sincere condolences.
So sorry for your famlies loss Donna. It sounds like you were blessed with a wonderful mother in law. And 70 years...wow, that is amazing.
Bryden looks so cute in his costume!
My hand in yours sweet friend xo
A sad time for your family. My thoughts and prayers are with your father-in-law and all of you at this time. Little Bryden looks so sweet in his costume, I sure just looking at him and loving him will help to heal Great Grand dad's aching heart.
Oh Donna Sweetie...
I write through tear stained eyes as I read about your precious MIL Irene. She was a Mother-in-Love truly. She will be missed but as you said she left so many wonderful memories for each of you to carry with you along lifes many roads we travel.
Seventy years, how beautiful that is. (I am at half that much, and wish for that much longer.) Loved her picture Donna.
Please give your DH and FIL my love. You will all be in my prayers, as I know this is a difficult time for the family.
Loved seeing the little guy. He is just precious. A puppy is a great costume for that age.
Many hugs to you sweet friend and so much love, Sherry
Donna - Your mother-in-law was truly a blessing to you and you were fortunate to have her in your life.
Praying for God's peace and comfort for you and your family.
...Marsha
I'm so sorry for your loss. This is a gorgeous tribute to a woman whose life clearly left a huge imprint on the lives of those left behind. Love the puppy!
What a beautiful tribute--what a love story that is--70 years!
So very sad. I think it is very interesting that she knew she was going. Too bad her husband had to go to the bathroom. I'll bet he was sorry. I think one can definitely have a premonition that they are going to die. My mom was visiting me from Idaho and the night before she left, she told me that if she were to die quickly,that I wasn't to mourn her too much because it was the way she wanted to go....quickly. She also told me that I shouldn't worry about visiting her grave(she was buried in an old family plot in the cemetary in an old farming community that she and my dad lived in before moving to the big town of Pocatelly Idaho. That cemetary was really off the beaten path and not an easy place to get to. She also told me how much she loved me and how much she had enjoyed living with me and my children as they were growing up. It really was as if she were saying goodbye. They got home the very next day and the day after that my sister called and said she had died of a heart attack. I was the baby of the family and my mom and I were so close. I am a very emotional person and my sis really hated to call and tell me because she just knew I would fall to pieces. She was so surprised when I didn't. Of course I cried, but I guess I really wasn't surprised and I was so grateful that we had been able to say our goodbyes. She was 82 years old and I always said I would be satisfied if I could live to be as old as Mom was. Well I will be 85 in April and I'm not saying goodbye to anyone!!! I still have a lot of livin' to do.
I am so sorry for your loss. It's difficult to lose someone with whom you are close, but there is always a happy ending and new beginnings to celebrate. My thoughts are with you.
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A lovely "Goodnight Irene" story. Isn't it a blessing when a loved one can pass so gently into that good night? A lovely post today, Donna. And I hope your grief is softened by the presence of the little ones...
I'm so sorry for your loss. Such a lovely tribute to that pretty lady with a beautiful smile.
Donna, that was so beautiful and heartfelt. How lucky to have had that wonderful relationship with her for all these years. I know you will miss her, as will her sweet husband. Your tribute makes me wish I had known her.
Your grandson is adorable - the little ones have a way of healing our pain for a moment or two, don't they? Sending you lots of love -
Oh my...I 've lost both my parents and my inlaws in the last five years. It is hearbreaking and yet it is sometimes reassuring how the circle of life is always spinning anew.
Prayers to you and yours...
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