MOVarazzi

Tuesday, October 30, 2012

869. Sad News

Dear Friends,

I have some very sad news to share with you:  my mother died yesterday.  She had battled breast cancer for two and a half years and finally her frail body succumbed to the disease.  She was 70.

My sister had called me on Wednesday to tell me to fly out because my mom had taken a turn for the worse.  I flew out to California immediately.  Thank God I was able to be with her for her last five days on this planet.  

My brother, sister, and I were extremely blessed and privileged to be in the room with our mom and holding her hands as she took her last breaths after a tough few days with round-the-clock Hospice care.

I doubt I will be writing in this space for a few weeks.  I hope to be back writing before Christmas.  Thank you for your thoughts and well wishes.

Julie (MOV)
ps-- if you feel so inclined, it would be lovely of you to make a small donation to Hospice or Cancer Society.

48 comments:

  1. Oh, I am so sorry to hear about your loss :( It must be heartbreaking but I'm glad you were able to spend some time with her. Much love to you and your family. xxx

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  2. Julie, I send you my deepest condolences. So sorry for your loss.
    Take care of yourself and I will watch for your return to blogging when you are ready. (hugs)

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  3. I'm so sorry to hear of your loss, Julie. May your mom rest in peace, and may you find strength in your faith. Smile and remember the good times. God bless.

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  4. oh, that's so sad! i'm so sorry to hear that. hang on to your siblings right now.

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  5. Sorry to hear about this! I'm glad you got to spend some time with her before it happened.

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  6. So sorry to hear, MOV. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.

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  7. My heart and prayers go out to your family. Big hugs.

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  8. Sorry to hear. My mother's been battling it for the last few years, too.

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  9. I'm so glad you were able to be there. A million hugs your way, MOV.

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  10. I am so very sorry.

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  11. What a great loss to all of you--not fair! I am so very sorry.

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  12. So sorry for your lost. I lost my mother 16 years ago and the thing I regret the most was not being there with her when she passed. Instead I find comfort in the fact that my brother held her as she drew her last breath.
    It's hard now but cherish those moments you had with her. Wish I could say it gets easier, it hasn't yet for me.
    Thoughts, prayers and good wishes are headed your way during this time.

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  13. Oh, Julie - I'm so sorry for your loss.

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  14. Sending condelences and prayers to you and yours.

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  15. I am so sorry. Take care of yourself in this terrible time. *hugs*

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  16. I am sorry for your loss. I am glad you and your siblings were able to say goodbye and to be with her in the end. <3

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  17. so sorry to hear this news. my mom died when i was 40, and i know it's so hard. wishing you peace and breath in these next days and weeks, will be thinking of you.

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  18. Friends, your kind words give me strength and comfort. Thank you.
    Julie (MOV)

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  19. Terrible news, sorry to hear about the loss of your Mom. You were really lucky to be there for her at the end. I and almost 30 members of my family had the same experience with my Grandfather. It was perhaps the most spritually powerful few hours in my life, and I will never ever forget it... or him. Keep Mom close to your inner ear, listen to her snarky comments and smile... just smile.

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  20. Oh MOV, I'm so sorry. Death is a hard thing to witness. Much love to you and your family.

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  21. So sad to hear your news, but so glad you were able to be with her. Wishing you peace and hoping this difficult time passes quickly.

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  22. I'm so happy you were able to spend her last five days with her. Our very deepest condolences.

    Susan

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  23. Oh MOV!! I am so sorry to hear this news. I will be keeping you and yours in my thoughts and prayers. I know it's heart breaking to lose a parent, (24 years for me at Christmas); you have the greatest gift of being there while she made the transition. Hold your family close.

    be blessed,

    t

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  24. MOV, I am so sorry for your loss. I lost my Dad last year and it was heartbreaking. My husband is a cancer survivor (3+ years). But it was a blessing for you to be with her at the end. Best wishes to you and your family.

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  25. MOV- I am so sorry your mother had to deal with the awfulness of cancer. Please know there are many people out here thinking of your and the loss of your mom. Always remember her and think of her with "the diamond glints on snow...."
    Do not stand at my grave and weep,
    I am not there; I do not sleep.
    I am a thousand winds that blow,
    I am the diamond glints on snow,
    I am the sun on ripened grain,
    I am the gentle autumn rain.
    When you awaken in the morning’s hush
    I am the swift uplifting rush
    Of quiet birds in circling flight.
    I am the soft star-shine at night.
    Do not stand at my grave and cry,
    I am not there; I did not die.
    Mary Elizabeth Frye (November 13, 1905 - September 15, 2004)
    This poem has comforted me since the death from Leukemia of my 15 year old niece, 26 years ago. It reminds me to think of her every day.
    I feel very lucky to be a 5 year breast cancer survivor. I wish you well and I wish you peace.

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  26. I'm so sorry for your loss. I lost my mom 3 years ago. She was 75. It seems too young. I'm so glad you were there with her.

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  27. Hello again Friends,
    I just wanted to say that I read and re-read your comments every day and it really gives me comfort and peace. One thing I have not divulged before is that my mom and I had a rocky relationship at times, but we were able to 100% reconcile at the end and I have let go of any frustrations I may have had at her.
    Her death was very sad, but I am very lucky that I got to spend her last moments on Earth with her (along with my brother and sister).
    Thank you all for your beautiful words.
    Julie (MOV)

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  28. Julie,
    I am so sorry for your loss. My mother passed away suddenly after a cardiac cath when I was only 21 y/o. I am so glad you were able to obtain some closure in your relationship before she left this earth. That is one thing I truly regret. I wish I could go back in time and tell my mother how right she was, and how wrong I was as a teenager and young adult. I have made peace with the fact that she already knew, and I can only hope she knew how much I loved and respected her. With time, the pain fades, but it never really goes away completely. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
    -Heidi

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  29. I'm so sorry to hear this! Please forgive me for e-mailing you when I didn't have power, I didn't get a chance to read this first. You'll be in my prayers, hang in there.

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  30. I just dropped by and heard your bad news. Condolences.

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  31. So sorry to hear your sad news but I'm glad you were able to make it in time to spend her last days together.

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  32. sorry to hear that, my prayers are for you and your family

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  33. Wishing you and your loved ones peace and comfort in the days ahead.

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  34. I'm so sorry you've lost your mom.

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  35. Julie, I am so sorry to hear this, and sorry I'm only now reading this. My mother died in March, also of cancer and was also on hospice. I do know how hard this must be, in so many ways. Hoping you can feel so comfort and find peace and strength amidst it all. So very sorry...

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  36. Sending warm thoughts your way as what I'm sure will be a difficult season arrives. I lost my Mom to cancer three years ago. Hoping happy memories help you through.

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  37. So sorry for your loss. It's painful. I remember, as a teen, when my grandmother died, my mother looked at me, so sad, and said 'now I'm an orphan.' It hit so hard and the sense of loss was so deep.
    Now, I've been caretaker to both parents and lost them to cancer. Now I'm an orphan.
    I'm so blessed with siblings, cousins and extended family that keep the memories alive and happy.
    Wishing you the same.

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  38. Oh my gosh, I haven't been checking your blog and had no idea. I am so completely and utterly saddened for you and your family. My mom passed away on Thanksgiving three years ago. The grief will never leave, but it will lessen over time. Big hugs to you.
    Dawn

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When you write a comment, it makes me feel like I won the lottery or at the very least like I ate an ice-cream sundae. (This has nothing to do with the fact that I did just eat an ice-cream sundae.)