Thank You for all of your prayers. She is now in Heaven.
JadeRareCoin
Posts: 2,768 ✭
Several weeks ago I started this thread to ask for your prayers for my Mom, who had leukemia. The response was overwhelming, both publicly and privately. For that I thank you so much. There are some amazing people on this forum.
Many of the prayers were prayers for her comfort. I know those prayers were answered during her last few hours on Friday, August 27, 2004.
I spent the night in the hospital with my Mom on the Tuesday before her passing. I had been requested to attend a coin show in Dalton, Georgia, but did not feel comfortable leaving town, even though she was doing very well with her chemotherapy. She convinced me to go and so I left for the coin show on Wednesday evening. My wife and sibblings visited with her on Thursday and she was doing great. I was told that she actually got up from her bed and danced to show everyone how well she felt. She also sang for everyone. On Friday morning, I received a gut-wrenching call from my sister that my Mom had taken an sudden, unexpected turn for the worst. It seems that a Doctor had accidentally missed specific instructions in her charts regarding a procedure. That event, we assume, led to a sudden change in her condition and she was rushed to ICU. My brother lives in Georgia about an hour from where the coin show was (too coincidental, imho). I called him and told him that we had to leave for Michigan immediately, which we did.
Unfortunately, we did not make it back in time to say our final farewells.
I knew the moment that she had passed and that was later confirmed when we finally arrived in Michigan. At about 7 PM, I looked to the sky and saw the most beautiful sky that I had even seen. I could here her talking to me and she told me that she was now in heaven and that it would be okay. Next, a cross appeared in the sky in the form of a thin cloud. I followed the sky for an hour or so and, finally, decided to take a picture of the cross, which was nearly faded by now. I used the image as the final picture in the DVD slide show we made to honor her life at her funeral. I told my brother that she was gone, but he did not want to accept that reality. I, however, found comfort in the fact that she was okay now. At about 10 PM, we drove through the most violent storm that I have been through in years. It rained so hard that we had to pull over. I told my brother that it was Mom crying for us, telling us that she missed us. Call me crazy....I guess, but I am a believer.She had a beautiful service. Through our conversations over the years, I knew what she wanted and I made sure her wishes were met.
I miss my Mom so much. I am having trouble doing any work whatsoever, hence my absence from this forum for the past couple of weeks. I know that some of you were wondering why I was not answering pm's or emails......now you know. I am back at work now and will start posting more as each day goes on. I know that she wants us to continue with our lives and prosper to the best of our abilities, which is what we will do. Again, thanks to all for your kind words, thoughts and prayers. Please say one more prayer for her. Also, be sure to kiss your loved ones and tell them just how you feel about them.
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Very sorry to hear of your loss - I'm sure you and your family will miss her and I for one will say a little prayer for your mother. Deepest sympathy for you and your family
Ron
“It ain't what you don't know that gets you into trouble. It's what you know for sure that just ain't so.” Mark Twain
Newmismatist
******
I can only hope there's a nice little italian cafe in Heaven and your Mom and my Dad are enjoying a great plate of macaroni together.
God Bless them and your family.
Michael Fattorosi
Ken
Very sorry to hear.
Robert
So sorry to hear of your loss. From what I've read she has left a wonderful memorial to her life and influence as a great Mom...You!
Please know that you and your family are in our thoughts and prayers.
I too believe, that those we love leave us signs after they are gone.
Camelot
Marty
my sincerest condolences.
The Ludlow Brilliant Collection (1938-64)
Joe.
Take it one day at a time. It's the only way the pain heals. I'm not a religious person, but I do believe that there is a life force that doesn't disappear. Case in point, I now have an 8 year old daughter and I swear that she is my mother down to the tiniest peccadillo!
Remember her everyday and find strength and comfort in knowing that you probably enjoyed more from your mom that anyone on earth, (siblings as well) and be grateful for having her for the wonderful time that you did. Mom's leave good memories...
Sincerely,
Jay Brahin
I can only imagine
What it will be like
When I walk
By Your side
I can only imagine
What my eyes will see
When Your face
Is before me
I can only imagine
{Chorus}:
Surrounded by Your glory, what will my heart feel
Will I dance for You Jesus or in awe of You be still
Will I stand in Your presence or to my knees will I fall
Will I sing hallelujah, will I be able to speak at all
I can only imagine
I can only imagine
When that day comes
And I find myself
Standing in the Son
I can only imagine
When all I will do
Is forever
Forever worship You
I can only imagine
42/92
My deepest sympathies for you and your family.
Your Mom was indeed a beautiful lady. It is wonderful to have pictures of her that you and your family can cherish.
Fairlaneman posted "A Mother is the Life and Soul of a son."
What also struck me was the date shown of your initial posting. Thursday September 09, 2004 2:49 AM inside your posting, not at the top of the thread.
Exactly 1 year ago and 2 months to the day my Mom passed away too. So I share some new tears with you.
"Senorita HepKitty"
"I want a real cool Kitty from Hepcat City, to stay in step with me" - Bill Carter
God Bless...
Tom
Mark
Brian
I know what you have gone through and are going through. Condolences to you and I wish you the best.
I didn't used to believe certain things surrounding the passing of loved ones until about 3-4 years ago when I lost my grandmother. I had a dream about her and memories as I grew. I found out the next day she had passed. 2 weeks ago, I had more dreams that were quite out of place and found out hours later that my father was gone.
Dennis, take care, and again, I wish you the best.
Ron
I've been told I tolerate fools poorly...that may explain things if I have a problem with you. Current ebay items - Nothing at the moment
Take heart in the fact that your beloved Mother is in far, FAR better place.
Forbid it, Almighty God!
I know not what course others may take; but as for me, give me liberty, or give me death!
~PATRICK HENRY~
Liberty: Parent of Science & Industry
Be consoled that she is watching from heaven
Pam
and it sets us apart from practitioners and consultants. Gregor
Very sorry to hear of your loss.
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Be well, and take good care. Mark.
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My heart goes out to you.
You and your family will be in our prayers.
RR
I'm so sorry for this great loss of your Mother. May the Almighty comfort you and your family at this time. In His time you will see her again. God Bless!
The Ludlow Brilliant Collection (1938-64)
Sorry to hear about the loss. She was a good mother and she will always be a great inspiration for you.
Bill
As always, I am amazed by the true nature of this forum. There are so many wonderful people here. Even though we may occassionally disagree about coins, when it comes down to truly important things, the true beauty of our forum members shines. Thank you to everyone who shared in this thread. Thank you for the words of inspiration, the kind thoughts and, especially, the prayers.
I have received some requests to post the image of the cross that I saw, so here it is. Keep in mind that the picture was taken quite some time after I first saw the beautiful sky and the cross, so it was pretty well faded by the time I took a picture. When it first appeared, it was solid, sharp and beautiful. Something told me to take a picture as a lasting reminder of what had happened. I struggled with the thought of taking the time to stop and snap a picture. In fact, I woke my brother up because I kept pulling off of the road and back onto the road, each time hitting the rumble strips on the shoulder. I really wanted to be in Michigan as quickly as possible, but then I reminded myself that she was already gone, even though we had not yet received word from the family.......only the message from above.
I hope that I am not sharing too much, but I thought that I would also post the eulogy that I wrote just hours before the funeral, after a sleepless night. I didn't think that I would have the strenght to get up and speak at the funeral, as I and my family were still in shock. Something came through me and I typed out a quick message. It really wasn't a typical eulogy, since it did not talk about my mom's life too much. We did that through a beautiful slide show comprised of many images of her life, along with her favorite Italian and American songs. It was really beautiful. I think that what I wrote was really a message from my Mom that she delivered through me. Here it is:
I know that I speak for my entire family when I say that I never thought that this day would come. The pain and the sorrow would be too powerful to possibly survive the death of my mom. ……..yet here we are. We knew within our hearts that we could never endure such grief. Even a fleeting thought of her passing brought unbearable pain. Her closest of family must admit (at least to themselves) that each of us have considered leaving this world with her, as the pain would be too much to bear without her.
So…why are we still here? Because we know that her main concern in life was the happiness and well being of her family, and we would do anything to make her happy. She sacrificed her entire life to make others more comfortable and happy. That IS our mom; Giving, caring, loving, sheltering, compassionate, understanding and nurturing.
I speak as if she were still with us. That is because she is still with us through her spirit, which shall live forever. Our children’s children, and there children, and so on, will always recollect the stories of an amazing child of God that was our momma, wife, nonna and friend. A person so beautiful in mind, body and spirit, that an indescribable glow always surrounded her, and she made the birds sing, the sun shine, the kittens purr and the flowers bloom. She was a giver and never a taker; the epitome of selflessness; a true symbol of selfless humanity. She was not judgmental or prejudice. She had a special talent of understanding and responding to the feelings of all living creatures. And, although her physical beautiful was undeniable, her inner beauty was….and is…. unlike anything I have ever known.
A typical eulogy would recall stories of one’s childhood, education and career. But that would be too typical for someone who is so atypical. I believe that my mom was a gift from God whose sole purpose in life was to bring joy and happiness to others and to make this temporary place we call Earth more beautiful and comfortable.
She was a giver and even though she has left this temporary place she continues to give. She has given us the gift of a deeper understanding of life…..that our life on Earth is short and that we must make the most of every fleeting moment. To live a clean, pure life of worth and substance. To love ourselves and nurture our temporary bodies. To love our family, friends and strangers. To forgive. To share. To spend as much quality time with our families as possible. To not be idle, but rather to work hard and intelligently. To spread love, joy and peace to all whom we encounter. To make this temporary place more beautiful. To believe in and worship our Lord so that we shall one day join her in Heaven.
I know that this is my mom’s wish, as she spoke to me. I had left on a business trip the day before she passed, even though I could see in her eyes that the end was near. Ordinarily, I would never have left her side. I believe that Devine intervention took me away from Michigan on that fateful day. My job brought me to Georgia. I had never had business in Georgia until last weekend. Coincidentally, my brother Roger lives in Georgia. I received the call from my sister, Cyndi, on Friday morning, and was told that Mom had taken a turn for the worst. I called Roger and relayed the news and asked if he could travel with me to be with mom. It was only after Roger and I started our longest of journeys home that I realized that she put me in Georgia so that Roger and I could be together during this trying time. Half way through our journey, I received a powerful sign that mom had passed. I looked to my left and saw the most beautiful sky that I had ever seen. It was comprised of beautiful blues and pinks that were held together by the warmth of the setting sun. I looked to the sky and I heard mom’s voice and she said that she was now in heaven. I cried and said “no momma, please don’t go” and she said….in the voice that I knew as a child….”Denito, it’s okay, everything will be okay…don’t cry”. She asked me to put my hand up to the window and I felt the most beautiful warmth that I have ever felt. She gave me comfort and it was okay then. Roger was still sleeping and, although I very much wanted to, I didn’t tell him, since he loves mom so much and I was afraid to hurt him. I followed that beautiful image of mom in heaven for a couple of hours. As the sun finally set, a perfect cross appeared in the sky, confirming, at least to me, that mom was with God. I watched the bittersweet image start to fade and something told me to pull over to take a picture. We were in a great hurry as we wanted to say our final farewells to our mother, but at that point I knew that we need not rush. I pulled over and took a picture of the then faded cross, which was the final image on the slide show that we just watched. Within an hour after that, Roger and I entered into a fierce storm unlike any that I recall driving through. As the heavens poured upon us, I realized that the rain was really our mom’s tears as she was crying for our sadness and pain. It rained so hard that our car shook. I told Roger that the rain was mom’s tears. Then the rain stopped and a final bead slowly ran across my windshield…..her final tear.
My experience brought me the realization that mom is always with us; everywhere we go, everything that we do, every thought that we have. I weep for the sorrow that my siblings shall forever carry with them, and for the emptiness that our father shall feel for the rest of his life. However, we must accept her passing and realize that she is not gone, but rather she is with us always and for ever more.
Mom helped me find the following poem by anonymous:
Do not stand at my grave and forever 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 sunlight on ripened grain.
I am the gentle autumn’s rain.
When you awaken in the morning’s hush
I am the swift uplifting rush
Of quiet birds in circled flight.
I am the soft stars that shine at night.
Do not stand at my grave and forever cry.
I am not there. I did not die.
Today we do not lay to rest our mom, wife, nonna or friend……rather we bury the body that carried one of the most beautiful souls that ever lived. She shall live within us forever and we must live our lives in this temporary place as she would have wanted, until we are once again with her in Heaven.
Mom, I miss you….your smile, your consoling voice, your gentle touch, your warmth and even your mischievous sense of humor. I love you so much, and find comfort in the fact that we will one day be together again in Heaven.
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