I knew it was her last Thanksgiving. As I helped her unwrap the handmade heart I gave her, I knew it was her last Chanukah. I knew she wouldn’t get any more birthday wishes. And yet, the end came unexpectedly.
I didn’t think our last conversation would be our last, although when I think about it now, I believe that she did. I thought I would have more warning. Maybe I did, and I just didn’t see it.
Betty’s last days reminded me that we never know when it is the last time. It reminded me not to take tomorrow for granted – not my tomorrow, and not yours. As I feel the earth spinning the days away, I recognize my mortality.
My experience of Betty’s illness and passing also showed me that you could know a person for forty years, and not know them at all. I learned that there is treasure right in front of me, if I take the time to notice. I am choosing to notice.
Betty came into my life as my sister’s boyfriend’s mother. Then she became my sister’s mother-in-law. But, she left my life as my dear and treasured friend.
The circumstances around her last seven months provided us with a considerable amount of time spent alone together. We came to realize that we had never really seen each other. Although we had shared holidays and special events as family for many years, we had been mostly strangers.
This experience reminded me that there is always a treasure in the darkness. Every injury leaves a gift. Sometimes the cost of the gift is too high, and given the choice, we would turn it down, but there is always a gift. I am grateful for the gift, and I miss my friend.
May we always find our gift in the darkness…
I didn’t think our last conversation would be our last, although when I think about it now, I believe that she did. I thought I would have more warning. Maybe I did, and I just didn’t see it.
Betty’s last days reminded me that we never know when it is the last time. It reminded me not to take tomorrow for granted – not my tomorrow, and not yours. As I feel the earth spinning the days away, I recognize my mortality.
My experience of Betty’s illness and passing also showed me that you could know a person for forty years, and not know them at all. I learned that there is treasure right in front of me, if I take the time to notice. I am choosing to notice.
Betty came into my life as my sister’s boyfriend’s mother. Then she became my sister’s mother-in-law. But, she left my life as my dear and treasured friend.
The circumstances around her last seven months provided us with a considerable amount of time spent alone together. We came to realize that we had never really seen each other. Although we had shared holidays and special events as family for many years, we had been mostly strangers.
This experience reminded me that there is always a treasure in the darkness. Every injury leaves a gift. Sometimes the cost of the gift is too high, and given the choice, we would turn it down, but there is always a gift. I am grateful for the gift, and I miss my friend.
May we always find our gift in the darkness…