October 23, 2009

My beautiful mother passed away today. She just turned 73 on the 5th of October. Mama suffered from Multiple Sclerosis for 30 years, but the last few years took a toll on her. She ended up battling severe pain in her mouth from trigeminal neuralgia, which is caused from the MS. You can see from her recent picture to the right, how it changed her face. We had to call in Hospice to get her comfortable, and she fought hard for 12 long days. I'm thankful I was able to be at her side for those twelve days, with my brother and my Dad, giving back to her just a tiny bit of all that she has given me throughout my life. She's a beautiful person, inside and out, and I miss her so much.

My colleagues at work gave my family the most beautiful gift.....a red oak tree to be planted in my Mama's name at the park I grew up in, Washington Park, down the street for my parents house. On November 12th, 2009, Dad, Rick and I witnessed the City of Sunnyvale planting the tree and they let us bury flowers and a picture of Mama with it.

Then, just 5 1/2 weeks after Mama died, my Yiayia (grandmother) passed away at 98 years old. She was my mother's mother, and I believe she just had it with the news of losing her second daughter. She had been ready to go for the past few years, and would get upset when she'd hear of someone passing and say "why am I still here?" Well, on December 8th, 2009. she died peacefully in her bed with all of us at her side. I was rubbing her chest after I noticed her breathing got more shallow and within minutes, she took her last two deepest breaths. Very, very peaceful, and there was such a presence in her room while we were waiting. It was truly unbelieveable!!! My Mama's family is all together now in heaven. They are all missed so VERY much!!

This picture was taken on Thanksgiving 2009. We had our last family dinner at her house, and she wanted to help, so she peeled apples for the crisp. Her mind was sharp up until the day before she passed. This is Yiayia at 17 years old in 1929.