After a battle with cancer, my Aunt Shirley Ann passed away surrounded by her three children, her husband and one grandaughter. I know this because I was there until 10 minutes before she died.
Wednesday night after much agony with my own problems, I felt like I needed to go to visit my Aunt one last time. She lived about 2 hours from my home and I had wanted to go for months, but hadn't for various reasons. One of which had to do with my ongoing war with my parents. Hubby and I went the two hours north to find my aunt much worse than I really expected. I sat with her and told her about my children. With her daughter, Cheryl, I recounted the numerous stories and events that made her my Favorite Aunt. She couldn't speak and much to my dismay she had the rattle that I am all too familiar with in my line of work. We sat there for 45 minutes and when I started to get up she raised her arm as if she wanted me to stay. I stayed a while longer until the hospice nurse gave her liquid morphine and she drifted off to sleep.
I visited with my first cousins and hubby got to know a different side of my family. I hate it was under this circumstance. At 4:00 p.m. we decided it was time to leave and say goodbye. I walked up to her bed and took her hand and told her that I loved her and that I was going and for her to be at peace.
As hubby and I left holding hands, I told him that she wasn't going to last long maybe 24 hours or so. He agreed and we drove off in tears. Ten minutes later she went to see her Lord. I know that her heaven is surrounded by rich purple colors, diamonds and gold that shines so bright. She has a large grand piano and a pipe organ that she can play at and sing. Flowers will be fragrant and rich with color.
My memories will consist of the many crazy, loud, happy events like shopping for prom dresses, picking on my father, watching her play the piano and hold her grandchildren and my children. Her amazing laugh and how she entered a room with laughter and much sound. Always wearing purple and colors that made Ma and her siblings grimace. And my absolute favorite memory, wrapping herself in Gold Lame fabric in Misouri Mills and spinning happily around the store, while my mother stood there in horror. I however laughed because it is something that I would also do.
Be at Peace, Aunt Shirley Ann.
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2 comments:
Melinda - I am so sorry to hear of your loss. I know all of your happy memories of your aunt will be a comfort to you. You and your family will be in my prayers.
Kris, Thank you so much. It means so much.
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