The calm after and before the storm

[susandennis]

Nancy said it was quiet and peaceful and she and Mary (Mom's favorite sitter) were there holding her hand and she just slipped away.

Oh and Nancy said that starting last night Mom kept kicking her blanket off so they finally just took it off and so her bare feet were showing. On Monday, she had gotten a pedicure and Nancy said her toenails looked Fabulous and everyone remarked about how cool that was. Mom would be delighted and proud.

But now the hard part... My brother and his wife and his two sons and their wives (or at least one wife) are going to descend on Nancy tomorrow. Oh how grateful I am to be here. On the upside, there will be lots of helpers to clear the stuff out of her room. And they (all of them) are the ones who want the stuff - I sure don't so they can duke it out together.

I did get into Mom's checking account and had a check sent to Nancy to cover incidentals of stuff for all of them. (Including a dinner fest at Juanita Greenberg's - our family's favorite Mexican restaurant.) Thought I'd better do this before I told Mom's bank she was gone and they put the big freeze on the cash.

The funeral home is all set up for cremation. There's a monument thingie there at the church where they used to go. Daddy's ashes are in it with a plaque and a spot next to him for Mom. Polly's on tap and in the loop.

I need to let the trust people and the bank and the accountant and the lawyers but I think I'll hold off until this afternoon. Right now I need to get a bit of work done.

And thank you all for all your kind words and wonderful thoughts and for sharing my Mom with me. I've read every single comment and they are all special. Thank you. Do NOT go away... it's going to be an interesting next few days and probably few weeks...

Comments

[laciann.livejournal.com]

Oh my. I'm going to miss her.

Don't be afraid to grieve - in whatever way works for you.

(hugs)

[melodysk.livejournal.com]

She left you on St Patrciks day Susan ..a day for celebration. What a wonderful woman she was and how proud she must have been of her wonderful daughter

[minimac.livejournal.com]

Your Mom will always live in your heart...and in your Live Journal. Thanks so much for sharing her with us. I will have a green beer after all today...and make a toast to a life no doubt fully lived.

[joyce.livejournal.com]

Your grace is handling this whole thing has been amazing.

[keelamonster.livejournal.com]

What a blessing to have people with her that she loved when she died. And to have children of whom she must have been so proud. Like everyone else has said, thank you for sharing your mother with us. We can't all have fiesty, strong women in our lives, sometimes we have to import them. And for those of us who do have strong women in our lives, it's nice to have one more.

[annenahaymus.livejournal.com]

What a good end to a good life. My thoughts are with you.

[mtgirl.livejournal.com]

I'm so sorry for the loss of your mom. I have so enjoyed reading about her. I lost my mom a few years ago. It's such a profound thing, and yet moms never really leave. Thank you so much for sharing your mom. I celebrated my mom's Birthday yesterday with a pedicure...being kind to yourself is the best memorial, I think.

She was very lucky to have you.

[katbyte.livejournal.com]

I am sorry for your loss, and mine. I will miss her.

Lots to do now, but later on, you will have time to remember all the good things.

[dizzdvl.livejournal.com]

Not going anywhere. Just holler if you need anything.

[frl.livejournal.com]

My condolances to you, dear Susan. Any strength I can give you, please don't hesitate to ask. Take care.

[shanynrose.livejournal.com]

I'm sorry for your loss.

We are all glad your mom went gently and with dignity. My Susan-fan daughter reminds me "dignity AND Fabulous toes." Since we must all go sometime, that's the ideal way. I know your mom would've had a hoot over the toes.

[dlanor.livejournal.com]

My thoughts are with you. I enjoyed reading of your mother.

She was quite a lady.

[roadskoller.livejournal.com]

I'm so sorry. I't seems so fast. The Carolinas are short one fine woman.