Dear all~
Christine's suffering ended tonight~She passed at about 10:25. Loved ones were all around her today and she was aware. She was amazing these last few days and I know she is blanketing us with her love and comfort.
With love,
Bridget and All
Monday, August 4, 2008
Goodbye Christine...
After over a year of fighting, my mother Christine lost the battle and peacefully passed on to the other side this evening. While this is a very sad occasion for all of us, I can find comfort knowing that Mom will no longer be suffering and is able to join her mother Joann, sister Mary, and niece Emily, along with many others who have gone before her. Please know that Mom truly and honestly did not want this to be a sad occasion, she wanted everyone to celebrate her life. We intend to do this. As we are still making arragement, the plans are: Friday evening a wake, and Saturday will be the funeral, more information to come later. As I know many people will want to help, please continue to check the blog as we will post information about what we will need. Mom also asked that instead of flowers, donations could be made to the Wellness Community, a place that brought her such great joy and comfort during her tough times over the past year.
Monday, August 4 1:56 pm
I was home during the afternoon and became increasingly crabby--shocker. I realized it was more than nicotine fits as my sneaky escapes to the side of the house did nothing to appease me. I left my family to prepare the first Sunday chicken this vegetarian house (self-excluding) has seen, without me. Chris was happy about the chicken, by the way. She told my husband it was good to let Liam choose, which Dave had already decided to do. Consequently, Liam did not eat the chicken...
A long time, dear friend of Bridge and I, Nate Clark had asked if he could come see Christine. I was surprised, but should not have been. As it turns out, he had developed his own friendship with her. He said she always went out of her way to talk to him. I met him there, but Chris was no longer responsive. However, I believe she is aware of the many people who have been touched by her and I was comforted that he'd come and held her hand.
Earlier in the evening, the nurse told us Chris wouldn't make it through the night. Kathy and I put out the many calls, again. Collen, Nina, Robert & Bridget filed in. I assume Pete was driving like a bat out of hell to get there, but arrived safely later in the evening. His boys were already with us (Nino, peacefully snoring in quarantine.) Danny was already there and Chuck comes in tomorrow. Being continuously full of surprises, Christine held through the night. The doctors and nurses say her heart and lungs are just so strong--they are amazed she has held on this long. Elizabeth said, 'Is anyone surprised that Mom's heart is so strong?' To which Laura O'Sullivan replied, 'Her lungs, too, if you think about it...' Touche, from an O'Sullivan!
It seems there is always an O'Sullivan on the way in or out. They have been an amazing family to Christine, another family to her. We are all grateful for their support of our sister through the years, especially now.
Auntie M (Aunt Margaret) is another, constantly present (whether we see her or not) and suffering the tortures of the damned facing the loss of the incredible bond they have shared.
A long time, dear friend of Bridge and I, Nate Clark had asked if he could come see Christine. I was surprised, but should not have been. As it turns out, he had developed his own friendship with her. He said she always went out of her way to talk to him. I met him there, but Chris was no longer responsive. However, I believe she is aware of the many people who have been touched by her and I was comforted that he'd come and held her hand.
Earlier in the evening, the nurse told us Chris wouldn't make it through the night. Kathy and I put out the many calls, again. Collen, Nina, Robert & Bridget filed in. I assume Pete was driving like a bat out of hell to get there, but arrived safely later in the evening. His boys were already with us (Nino, peacefully snoring in quarantine.) Danny was already there and Chuck comes in tomorrow. Being continuously full of surprises, Christine held through the night. The doctors and nurses say her heart and lungs are just so strong--they are amazed she has held on this long. Elizabeth said, 'Is anyone surprised that Mom's heart is so strong?' To which Laura O'Sullivan replied, 'Her lungs, too, if you think about it...' Touche, from an O'Sullivan!
It seems there is always an O'Sullivan on the way in or out. They have been an amazing family to Christine, another family to her. We are all grateful for their support of our sister through the years, especially now.
Auntie M (Aunt Margaret) is another, constantly present (whether we see her or not) and suffering the tortures of the damned facing the loss of the incredible bond they have shared.
Monday, August 4th
10:20am
Chris was peaceful overnight for the most part. Robbie slept in the room. Mags and I, Pete and his boys~Nino and Giussepie~ all slept in the lounge. (Nino snores like an elephant...I think Pete does too, but I sleep heavily....) Kathleen sat bedside throughout the night and broke her promise to wake us so we could each do one hour shifts. Chris has felt very comforted by all of us of course, but she seems to be particularly comforted by Kathleen's presence and command~as am I.
We believe and hope that she will join Mary, Mother and Lil' Emily soon. According to the staff around here, she is in her final phase. It is time for her suffering to end and every once in awhile we tell her it's okay and she should let go and not worry about us.
Love to all,
Bridget
Chris was peaceful overnight for the most part. Robbie slept in the room. Mags and I, Pete and his boys~Nino and Giussepie~ all slept in the lounge. (Nino snores like an elephant...I think Pete does too, but I sleep heavily....) Kathleen sat bedside throughout the night and broke her promise to wake us so we could each do one hour shifts. Chris has felt very comforted by all of us of course, but she seems to be particularly comforted by Kathleen's presence and command~as am I.
We believe and hope that she will join Mary, Mother and Lil' Emily soon. According to the staff around here, she is in her final phase. It is time for her suffering to end and every once in awhile we tell her it's okay and she should let go and not worry about us.
Love to all,
Bridget
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