After reflecting on the events of the last three months I want to take the time to truly thank all of my siblings for all of the amazing care we gave to mom. In November 2018, doctors gave us the guestimation of having possibly one year to spend with mom before cancer took her. In January they said less than two and a half months. Mom lasted two and a half weeks. She had a grand exit plan that spared her pain and suffering. Mom stressed that she did not want to be in pain, but understood that sometimes that was unavoidable. It was a blessing that she passed away before the pain truly set in.

Growing up our parents take care of us, give us unconditional love, spend wakeless hours worrying about us, and do everything in their power to prepare us to be the best human beings we can be. Well, mom and dad did that very thing. We came together without hesitation to give mom the best last months of her life by honoring her every wish. 

Mom was fortunate enough to help plan her own wake and funeral from the songs that were sung to the sweater and scarf she wore. Never wanting to be cold she always had the warmest blankets tucked up to her chin always wanting to be "snuggly warm". Mom we made sure you were tucked in and cozy for eternity.

Mom, we love you and miss you every day. It is surreal that you are actually gone. We are all in different places in our grief and trying to figure out how to deal with our new reality. Don't worry, our whole lives you taught us that death was not scary and you faced it braver than anyone I have known. To the end, you appreciated everything everyone did for you. My favorite memory was the Thursday before you passed when the Leanne the hospice music therapist played her guitar and sang your favorite songs. We thought you were sleeping but when she was done singing you lifted your head up, opened your eyes, and whispered: "Thank you". Who knew those were the last words you would be able to say that we could hear your voice. 

We were comforted by the family and friends that turned out and filled the church. The priest jokingly said that your funeral may have beaten the attendance of Easter Mass. Only you with your kind, accepting and loving ways could draw a crowd like that. Dad was so moved by the people that came to celebrate you. People we have not seen in years to decades to the relatives that got on a plane to pay their respects did not go unnoticed.   

Mom, thank you for making us the humans we are today and don't worry we are taking fantastic care of dad. We've got this.