Waking up at 10:45 a.m.
Oatmeal with Cinnamon, Blueberries, Maple Syrup, and Almond Milk. Irish Breakfast Tea.
Dad meets me at the house. We hop in mom’s truck and run some errands – grabbing water from Whole Foods and a few things at Trader Joe’s (saying hi to Ana). Mom’s been having a busy morning of visitors so we decide to take our time getting there. Stopping by the Sandler Center where the DEJA peeps are setting up for the big Wall show tomorrow. I need to transfer some movie files from Anne’s computer. Then, we grab a quick bite at Shake Shack.
At the hospice visiting mom. Ken, Austin, and Cindy are here. Ken plays The Beatles song, “In My Life”, and it just moves me. I’ve noticed certain lyrics or things people say trigger an emotional response that can’t be ignored. At some point Addy shows up with the violin. And of course we start playing beautiful music for mom, filling the room up with an energy that cannot be described. Pastor Rick and Diana show up and help guide us in a few hymns like “I’ll Fly Away” and “How Great Thou Art”. In between the nurses and other people show up. Ken points out it’s like a sitcom. I’m so grateful she gets the opportunity to feel all this love and support from people before she leaves us.
Mom tries to explain after a song or two that Wayne fell in love with her cause of her voice.
Dad laughs and responds, “Not just for that.”
“Oh it was the cookin’!” I add.
Pastor Rick, dad, and I go into the chapel room and discuss things regarding the memorial service. It’s important we take care of these things now before we have to concern ourselves with it during the grieving process. Pastor is always so comforting and assures me I have nothing to worry about and that the church will handle everything. He explains how he lost his mother back in 2003 – how it made him feel like a little boy again during that whole process but in the years to come afterwards he felt a sudden surge of strength and it made him a better man and a better pastor.
Back in mom’s hospice room. Aunt Pansy and Peter show up and mom’s longtime friend, Lynn. Then, Josiah and Bianca appear. Josiah is prepared to play a song for her, a hymn that George Harrison wrote. He even passes out lyric sheets to everyone to sing along. At the end mom raises her hands up as if she were in church surrendering.
At some point everyone departs. Lynn decides to spend the night and stay with her. Before I leave I give mom one last embrace (for the night). I can’t help but start weeping again in her arms. She immediately responds with the kind of crying only a mother can do.
Back home. Having some leftovers for dinner with Ana.
Figuring some slideshow problems for the show tomorrow.
Playing piano at the studio. It’s been a long day.
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