July 1999

July1999

Oppressive heat and humidity

Beautiful narrow road flanked by brilliant green leaves as I wind along the gravel

Modern artsy looking home, it’s now a hospice, surrounded by woods

Dad walking down the driveway, intent on his cigarette, sees me.

Mom’s inside.

We open the door to enter a large and airy vestibule, turn down a hallway

I glance in a room that holds a large jetted tub. Above it a swing-like harness hovers. That’s how she gets her bath. I shudder

Mom’s room, comfortable chairs, a wall of windows to look outside. Her hospital bed covered in quilts.

She’s tired. Weary, really, but she smiles when we walk in.

We talk. Dad goes outside for another smoke. Mom decides some pudding would taste good

I open the cup, dip in the spoon, and feed her. “You used to do this for me,” I say. I stifle my tears. She tastes the pudding, barely, but says it’s good.

Later, some women come in and ask if they can do healing touch for Mom

Mom nods, smiles, they move their hands and I think I should see the energy they try to give her

She’s tired. I move to the other side of her bed and sit, while she sleeps.

9/13/15

I’ve been thinking about my mom, after sending an email to her sister Mary Alyce. Annie was in Phoenix a couple of weeks ago and on a whim, I suggested she call Mary Alyce and maybe visit her. Annie, always willing, did just that. Since then I’ve been thinking a lot about Mom and what I knew of her relationship with Mary Alyce. Mary Alyce visited Mom at Seasons Hospice a few days before she died, then returned to Arizona. That was the last time I saw her, so I am especially glad that Annie went to visit her and found her healthy and happy.