Yesterday was a beautiful day at Sunset Hospice Cottage.  Mom slept through the night but started feeling some pain and agitation around 5am.  With the expertise and advice of the nurses there, we were able to help her be calm and pain free.  She was no longer awake and communicating, and throughout the day she was less and less responsive to her environment, but we knew she could probably still hear us.  My dad, Jordan, Sophia, Levi, Courtney and I spent the day talking and reminiscing, catching up with a few visitors, holding Mom's hand and telling her everything we wanted her to know about how special she is to us and how much she has influenced us.  When Scot, Simon and Keegan arrived early evening after a swim meet, we spent time singing hymns and worship songs together, accompanied by Courtney's ukulele.  We all lingered around her into the night, and then each of us slowly headed off to bed.  After the others had gone, I updated her on the people who had been there and reminded her that I love her but I also knew she would have to be going soon, that I would stay with her the entire time, and that when it is time for her to go we all understand and want the peace of Jesus for her more than anything.  I settled on the couch to sleep at about 11:45.  At about 12:30 this morning, in the first hour of my daughter Sophia's 26th birthday, the nurse woke me for me to see that she had died.  She seems to have stayed for all the company and worship and sweet nothings we whispered to her, and then when we were quiet and settled for the night, she gave herself her well deserved rest and let Jesus carry her home. Our hearts are rejoicing for her and breaking for ourselves.  She leaves a giant wife/mom/grandma sized hole in our hearts and lives that we will need to trust God to fill and mend.  What a privilege it has been to be her daughter.  She has loved me more completely than can ever be expressed in words and I will miss her in my life until my own dying breath.