LETTING GO

This subject might be a little tough to have to think about but as you get into the subject matter you realize it is a part of life we all have to deal with. The reason for this story comes on the heels of the passing away of the mother-in-law of one of my best friends. She was 87 and like most elderly parents who suffer from cancer, Alzheimer’s or other diseases, her quality of life was so poor for the last two years that it is was a blessing when she passed away.

With the phrase “You can’t keep it unless you give it away” I have always been willing to share my life experiences in this case the loss of my Mother in 1992. As Mom lingered in a coma for the last two weeks of her life we were fortunate to have a Hospice nurse working with us. She explained to me during one of the times of crisis that we had so many people in the room that loved her and she being only one person, she would not let go and pass on. Believe me, she said, she can hear you and knows you are here. With that only two of us stayed in the room at one time.

As she labored to stay alive the following day the Hospice nurse came into the room directing all her attention to Mom she said, “Mary, let go…let go and go with God…it is time to let go.” With that and with me holding her hand she took one breathe and passed away. I could feel her spirit leave and I have never looked at death the same way again. She was in a better place with no pain or suffering.

My ex-wife and here sister having shared that experience with me helped her Grandmother to pass away a few years later. I told a close friend about the experience and when a long time friend of hers was dying of cancer last week she talked to him over the phone. She told him to let go…it was alright and they would all miss him. He hung up the phone and died her voice being the last he heard.

The story holds true for my best friend. I shared the story with him and his wife and each story being a bit different his mother-in-law “waited” in a coma until all the family, especially her grandchildren had gotten home to visit her. Always being a private person she quietly passed away one hour after everyone had gone home for the night. Many of us have experienced the above for those of you who have not I hope this story helps you in the future.