Loss

Jan. 3rd, 2008 08:11 pm
orikes: (fairy)
[personal profile] orikes
Even when you know it's coming sooner rather than later, losing someone is hard to face.

I found out on my way into work tonight (I was literally walking in the building when my phone rang) that my mother passed away today. She had a massive coronary and even though the paramedics and the doctors tried their hardest, she was gone.

She was 65, due to be 66 in August. She smoked and drank most of her life and only quit smoking when she had to have open heart surgery a couple years ago. Because of the drinking, she also had neurological damage that caused her to have Parkinsons-like symptoms. Ultimately, she never really put much effort into taking care of herself, so we knew that this day was coming.

But honestly, I thought I'd have a little more time with her. I thought there'd be a couple more years at least. I saw her on Christmas and told her I loved her, but I forgot to call her and wish her a Happy New Year on Tuesday. I loved her, but she drove me insane on so many levels. Now it's just.. over.

I'm glad of a few things. First, that she went quickly. We watched my maternal grandmother whither away into nothing, spending months in the hospital on machines that were artificially keeping her alive. My mother never wanted that after watching her mother go through it. The second thing I'm glad of is that my mother and father talked on Christmas Eve for the first time in five years. I think I'm almost more grateful for that for my father than for my mother. He has held such guilt for the divorce eight years ago, especially since her health declined so rapidly. But either way, they talked and it was a good conversation.

I'm sitting home tonight, cuddling with my cats. I've made a few calls and took a few calls. Tomorrow I go with my uncle to make the arrangements at the funeral home. Just three hours ago, it was a normal day and I was rushing around the house getting ready to go to work.

It's strange how life is.

(no subject)

Date: 2008-01-04 01:24 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] elsewhere7.livejournal.com
*hugs* As...someone who lost his mom to prolonged illness, I understand. I'm so sorry.

(no subject)

Date: 2008-01-04 01:26 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] orikes13.livejournal.com
*hug* Thanks. I was thinking of you and your loss when I had a few moments to slow down earlier tonight.

(no subject)

Date: 2008-01-04 01:28 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] tnp.livejournal.com
Sorry to hear that. Losing a parent is always hard even when you know it's coming.

(no subject)

Date: 2008-01-04 01:50 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] ndainye.livejournal.com
*hugs* I'm really sorry to hear this. I lost my mother about five years ago after a long bout with cancer. Even when you know it's coming the actual event is much more difficult that can be anticipated. I'll be thinking about you.

(no subject)

Date: 2008-01-04 01:57 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] robinoli.livejournal.com
Oh, I'm so sorry. <3 I'm not going to pretend I know what it's like to lose a parent because obviously I have no idea, but... I don't know. My family and I had to watch my grandpa's health slowly deteriorate for two years in the hospital and it just caused so much pain for everyone who knew him. I'm happy your mom didn't have to spend a long time wired up to machines or anything.

I hope you and your family are coping well.

(no subject)

Date: 2008-01-04 02:03 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] smoothiesims.livejournal.com
Oh, Ori *hugs* I'm so sorry. You and your dad will be in my thoughts.

(no subject)

Date: 2008-01-04 02:48 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] goweli.livejournal.com
Oh hon. I am so, so sorry.

(no subject)

Date: 2008-01-04 03:16 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] fireflowersims.livejournal.com
*hugs* I'm so sorry, Orikes. I'll be thinking of you.

(no subject)

Date: 2008-01-04 04:52 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] thisnthat.livejournal.com
Good thoughts and prayers to you and your family.

(no subject)

Date: 2008-01-04 05:26 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] cori-chronicles.livejournal.com
Shocking. My thoughts are with you. I never did have the privilege of meeting her, but I feel like I know her through you. I was hoping you'd have more time with her too. The fact that she and your dad talked at Christmas is amazing! Just wow!

Please let us know about the arrangements and so forth, and as I said, if there's anything I can do to help out.

Love you! Be good to yourself!

(no subject)

Date: 2008-01-04 08:58 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] ms-shalimar.livejournal.com
*sends lots of hugs*

(no subject)

Date: 2008-01-04 01:31 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] avidreader7.livejournal.com
I'm so sorry, Orikes. I lost my mother (who was only 62 at the time) seven years ago. It was the hardest thing I've ever gone through in my life. My thoughts are with you, not just in this hard week, but in the months ahead, as you deal with her loss.

(no subject)

Date: 2008-01-04 02:30 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] ahrubyblue.livejournal.com
I'm so very sorry, Ori! It's never easy to lose someone you love even if you know it may be coming. My heart goes out to you and my throughts and prayers are with you and your family.

(no subject)

Date: 2008-01-04 05:18 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] writeraissa.livejournal.com
I'm so sorry for your loss. Both Chris and I will be keeping you in our thoughts. *hugs*

(no subject)

Date: 2008-01-07 09:00 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] profbutters.livejournal.com
DANG IT. I feel like SUCH a jerk. Somehow you weren't on my friends list, so I missed this.

There's never anything useful to say about loss, except that I'm sorry for what you're going through right now. Hugs, and take care--

PB

(no subject)

Date: 2008-01-08 07:56 am (UTC)
From: (Anonymous)
Oh I am so sorry Ang. My heart goes out to you. I'll be thinking of you, take care of yourself.

~Teenuh aka Xabs

(no subject)

Date: 2008-01-13 02:37 pm (UTC)
From: (Anonymous)
Belatedly, but... I'm very sorry. Somehow I missed this post originally (saw your newer one) :/. 65 is pretty young to die, and losing a parent, however "expected", is hard to cope with at any age.

(no subject)

Date: 2008-01-13 02:38 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] wtsims.livejournal.com
-- er that was me, forgot to log in.