One Year in Heaven

a three-minute (2 today?) lesson from The Practical Prof®, Dr. Santo D. Marabella

This letter honors my mother on the first anniversary of her passing! I hope you find solace and peace in the losses you may have experienced over the past year!

February 13, 2021

Dear Mom,

It was one year ago yesterday that your suffering stopped.

The cancer that returned with a vengeance, made it impossible for you to tolerate the thrice-weekly dialysis treatments. You said “that’s it,” and we heard and respected you. The hardest decision I ever had to make, was the easiest decision. Hard because we knew what ending your dialysis treatments meant for us — we’d lose your presence here; easy because we knew what ending your treatments meant for you — you were ready to go.

But, as you did with everything, you did it your way and with dignity. You stayed with us for 16 more days, 14 of which were great, fun days — eating your favorite foods, drinking your favorite drinks, and seeing your favorite people. It was only the last 2 days that we were brutally reminded how much your physical body was ravaged by disease. But, not your spirit — never your spirit!

Your final day here was filled with love for you and support for Dad and me. Then, at 10:10pm, after everyone was gone and Dad was asleep, I held your hand and Rafaelle lie by your side, and you took your last breath. Raffi knew immediately and barked 3 times.

Through my sadness, I saw a peace in you that I hadn’t seen in years. A life well-lived ended here, with a quiet passing at home to your eternal life that you so wanted and deserved!

Over the past year, we have spoken of you often, mostly laughing about how you would react to situations like COVID, or what unfiltered comment you would make about this or that.

Today, I think of you with a little sadness that we haven’t had you here for an entire year! Tomorrow, I will feel less sad as I focus on how happy you must be, free from mortal pain and suffering, yet still with us in our memory and hearts.

Requiescat in pace!

Ti voglio bene, Mom,

Sandy

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