The Hardest Decision

Tonight at the hospital, my mother’s doctor told us that there was no brain activity and that she would never be able to breathe on her own.  There is also no chance of her regaining consciousness.  We have been told that this was a possibility since she arrived at the hospital on Friday night but it was very difficult to believe.

My sister and I have been understanding and accepting this since the beginning.  My brothers and father could not let go of that glimmer of hope.   We did not argue about it, we just needed to deal with it in our own way.  Tonight though, we all gathered at my parent’s home and there was no longer disagreement, just harmony as we all came together.  We laughed and cried, shared stories and looked at pictures.  We read the hundreds of messages of support that we have gotten from friends and family.  I always knew what an amazing, generous and kind woman my mom was and these messages  have only confirmed what I already knew.

We have not decided when we will turn off the life support.  I know that she is ready to go, but we want to give family and friends who love her so much, the opportunity to say good bye and let her know just how special is to all of us.  She had the biggest heart of anyone I have ever known and she had a remarkable affect on everyone she met.

Tagged: death, grief, life support, mom