Our family has taken a vacation to Florida every year since Mom & Dad's 50th Wedding anniversary about 16 years ago. This year was no different...it had been planned for the week of July 9-16 since last year. All of the siblings, spouses, most of our kids and grandkids stay for a week. We knew going into this year that Mom may not make it through the week but we all agreed she would want us to finish our vacation.
On Friday, July 8th, my sister and I went to visit her and coax her to eat some lunch. She had just eaten a few bites over the last week and barely had taken in any liquids. On Friday she would not swallow the food or water, her eyes had a far away look in them. She offered no recognition to either of us. My husband and I went back after supper and there was no change...she had not eaten any supper nor taken any liquids. I felt in my heart that she would not live until we returned in 7 days. I told her I loved her, kissed her forehead and told her if she wanted to go to heaven while we were gone we understood.....she had fought this disease for so long. The last 3+months had been pure hell for the family....seizures, not eating or drinking for days, then she would eat a carton of yogurt and then back to not eating or drinking. It was a roller coaster ride that we had to endure and could not stop and get off. We are thankful that mom did not know how bad the disease had taken over her body and she had no physical pain.
On Monday morning at 6:05 am my cell phone rang......I knew it was about mom. Erica asked if I could come to Northlake Gardens right now and I said no remember we are on vacation in Florida. She said oh I forgot, and there was a long silence on her end. I asked her if mom passed away and she said yes......it was between the 4am and 6am bed check. She had died peacefully in her sleep....just like we had hoped it would be....a peaceful ending to this long struggle. Mom had had many opportunities to pass away with the family in town or by her side but she did not want that. She did it when we were gone and she died alone. That makes me sad thinking there was no one with her at the last breath but she did not want that. The Lord has His own perfect timing......when our dad passed away all 3 of the children were in the room with him. Mom wanted to do it by herself. When she took her last breath here, her next was in Glory.
We all had heavy hearts at the beach but were thankful....we knew she was in heaven with Jesus and was with her husband of nearly 67 years. Their 67th anniversary will be July 22nd. She got to see her parents, her in-laws, grandparents, and friends who had gone before her. She knew our names and I am guessing she ran into the arms of dad....her beloved Billy. Mom was in a glorious new body that was perfect. For that we were all thankful.
We had funeral arrangements to handle while we were at the beach and we got it handled without any problems. Some things had been taken care of in advance....we just did not know when the event would happen. We spent days on the beach or by the pool and ate great seafood every night. We had done this as a family for many years with mom and dad attending but it has been 3 years since they were able to make the trip because of their health. It was bittersweet but it is a trip we will never forget.
We arrived home Saturday afternoon and had visitation set up for Sunday afternoon and evening.....we had an out pouring of love on all of us from friends. Mom and dad were loved by many and we felt that love and are thankful for every visit, card and text we have received. On Monday we had a glorious celebration for mom's home going service......two favorite songs were sung. One was a Guy Penrod song...Knowing what I know about Heaven and the other was When I get up to heaven. Great service by Dr Troy Bush.
Many of you are still going through your journey and it may last another day, a week or longer. There is no way to know when it will end with Alzheimer's disease...it is ugly and cruel and our family knows what you have been through, are going through or will go through in the future. Not every person is the same but the end results are the same. Your loved one will be healed once their final breath has been taken on this earth.
This will be my last post about our family's journey.....it has helped me by sharing. I hope that you have been blessed and hope that someone was helped through our experiences that I have shared.
God Bless you as your continue on your journey.
We Love you mom and dad, until we meet again in heaven.
Betty Patrick Smith
Wife, Mom, Meme
June 20, 1930-July 11, 2016
Diane & Jim Chadwick-daughter
Nancy & Jim Love-daughter
Tim & Dana Smith-son
Susan Holdrich-granddaughter
Scott Magnus-grandson
Nicki Waits-granddaughter
Andy Love-grandson
Preston Smith-grandson
Patrick Smith-grandson
Chris Holdrich-great grandson
Madison Magnus-great granddaughter
Macy Holdrich-great granddaughter
Chesney Magnus-great granddaughter
Parker Waits-great grandson
Caden Love-great grandson
Hudson Waits-great grandson
Kensington Love-great granddaughter
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