At 10:58 PM last night (October 28, 2008), my mother, June, took her last breath and went “Home” to her waiting loved ones in the arms of an angel.

My mother held on until my brother and family came up from Miami to see her yesterday afternoon. She was on morphine but she saw his face and managed to say: “Well. . .well. . .well!” Then she said she loved him. He told her it was time for her to let go. He was in tears – this big burley bald headed man at the age of 67! After everyone left, I was alone with my mother and was planning on staying the night. I had been composing a letter to read to her when everyone arrived. Her breathing became louder with a sigh at the end of each struggled breath. So, I spoke to her while holding her in my arms. I said: Mom, you have been a wonderful, loving mother and my heroine! Thank you for everything you have done for me. For keeping our family together through all the tests of life! You have been so strong your entire life. But I don’t want you to suffer any more. Mom, . . .Daddy, your mother, your father, Aunt Emma and your sister Myra are all standing at the foot of your bed. They are waiting to take you home with them. It’s OK to let go, Mom! I’ll be alright! I will miss you and love you with all my heart. . . Forever. . . .Forever. . .and Forever!” Then I sang Mom’s song to her:

“Oh what a beautiful baby
“Oh what a beautiful girl
“I’ve got a wonderful feeling. . .
“Everything’s going my way. . .my way
“Everything’s going my way.

I then prayed to my father to come guide her home. I hugged her and kissed her all over her face and hands and couldn’t fight back the tears. It looked as if there were tears in her eyes too as I wiped away the corners of her eyes. She was no longer squeezing my hand as she did before. . . .I finished her letter on my laptop. Then the sounds stopped from each breath and she was breathing very slowly. . . .until she stopped. I broke down sobbing and called the nurse. I asked her if she was gone and she said yes. She hugged me as I cried in her arms. I called my husband and he came to get me. We had to wait an hour with my mother until the doctor (in the ER) could come to pronounce her dead. It was the longest hour in my life!

Mom came from a wealthy family from Cleveland, Ohio. She went to Vassar College, met my father (from Cornell University) fell in love and when they graduated, they married and moved to Ecuador where my father was from. That took courage back then! They had three children and then moved to Venezuela where my brother and I were born. When I was four years old, my mother moved to Lakeland, FL so my older siblings could attend college and we could establish our citizenship. We traveled back and forth between the US and Venezuela and my father would fly up in his airplane to visit us. When I was 11, she found out my father was having an affair with his secretary and had 4 illegitimate children. They got a divorce. She then married my ESF 6 months later because she needed someone to help support her and her two children. It was a mistake that she later regretted. Nonetheless, she did the best she could raising my brother and I with all her love. . .all her heart. Everyone would tell you what a sweet person she was. Always so gracious. . .always so grateful for even the littlest thing! I am glad that God granted me the courage to never give up in my fight to rescue her from the abuse of my ESF! And I am SO grateful that I have had this past year to be with my mother and bring her some happiness. She no longer has to feel like a prisoner (as she would tell me she thought she was in jail!) in where she was physically or as a prisoner to this dreaded disease called “Alzheimer’s Disease”. I am grateful that she didn’t have a long lingering death.

I couldn’t sleep last night as the pain of losing her was so fresh . . like an open wound. I miss her so badly! But I know she is happier now. I will always - ALWAYS miss her.

Thank you ALL . . .my dearest friends for ALL your help in helping me rescue my mother. For all your continued support, love and prayers for me and my mother. I don’t know what I would have done without you ALL. . .my dearest sisters and comrades/soldiers, together, fighting for our Loved ones!

From my mother and I with love. Thank You and God Bless!

Dearest Connie,

With deepest sympathy to you and your family. I know this is such a difficult, painful time. Do all the things you have to do but also take those special moments for yourself when you can continue feeling the presence of your beloved Mother. She will always be with you.

May God bless each of you and continue walking your journey with you.

With love, thoughts and prayers,

Joyce

OH Connie, I am so sorry. I am in tears reading this. My heart just breaks for you. I wish there were words that could take away your pain but I know this is a very personal thing that you have to go through. I'm glad you were with her when she went. God bless you my friend.

Dearest Connie,

My thoughts and prayers continue to be with you.
I am so, so sorry.

May you find peace and comfort knowing there are no more struggles for June. She is at peace.
You gave her her life back, and she knew how very much you loved her.

Vaya con Dios, dear Connie.

Connie:
my deepest sympathies! Your post brought tears to my eyes....my mom passed 8-11 and it still is a fresh wound...It amazes me that thru out the disease its so hard and there were the times I hoped prayed God would call mom home due to all the demands, fears and emotions her dementia brought---it still has been hard! Take time to heal and know that you are in my prayers as with others!
I still feel blessed by having my mom tell me that she loved me and that me and my ladies (my daugters) were there when she took her last breath and I was able to hold her! take care!
xxoo
karen

Connie, your mother's life was so touching. I have no doubt she is resting peacefully now. I know she'll continue to be there with you in spirit. My condolences to you and your family.

Oh dear Connie,
I just now came on and read about June. Oh honey, I am so very sorry. The pain that you went through with your mothers passing last night had to be so very painful for you, yet so very comforting that you got the chance to hold her in your arms, and sing that beautiful song to her.

It sounds like she went peacefully, and with much joy in her heart knowing that her wonderful daughter was with her in her final hours. Please know that my heart and prayers are with you as you finish this final journey with her. She is now at peace, and I so wish that for all our loved ones.

We will be with you in spirit the next few days, as you guide your mother to her final resting place. Be proud dear friend for the happiness you brought your Mom in her short time with you. That is what she always remembered the most, and not the horrible time with that man.

God be with you

Jackie

I'm sorry Connie . I'm praying for you and your loved ones through this!

Kat

Connie, may your heart be at peace knowing you did all you could humanly do for your mom. You never quit trying and you succeeded in rescuing her from a truly horrendous ordeal. In the end, she passed in your loving arms, surrounded in your love. She would have never wanted it any other way.

Dear God, rest your hands on Connie now and hold her dear to you as she grieves for her mother. Bring her family together now to hold each other up in love and understanding. Amen.

Rest easy June. You and Connie done good. Real good.

Oh Connie, I knew in my heart, the time was near. I think that God shared his grace with your Mother & Yourself. No one would have wanted to live long like that. What beautiful timing he had, with letting everyone say there good-byes. I grieve with you Connie, tears streaming. Although I never met her, I loved her too.

I shared a picture of her recently with a friend, and she said she doesn't look terminal, she looks lovely. My Dad is missing, and so it goes. I get to go down that horrible road that you did. APS, Police, the D.A's Office.

But right now is for you sweetie. Stay strong.

{{{HUGS}}}

Dear, dear Connie,

I think often of your lovely mom, her picture is imbedded in my memory as she looked so sweet and happy and not at all ADish. She was blessed to have you as her daughter and you were blessed with her as your mother. I have prayed for you through the past several days and will continue to as you heal. God's timing is perfect.

Take care and many hugs to you,

~Kelly~

Connie,

I am sorry for the loss of your mother. May you feel the loving arms of God and the love of this community surrounding you and holding you upright in this difficult time.

Every blessing,
Ann

Tearfully dear Connie, my heart goes out to you this morning, may you take strength from feeling the love and arms around you from many places near and far. God Bless you my dear and my thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.

Dearest Connie & Family,
My deepest sympathy on the loss of June, in this world,
my deepest gratitude for sharing your stories and your strength.
Carol

Dearest Connie,

It was difficult for a lot of us when our LO's graduated to Heaven. But always remember that, because of you, she died free from the abuse of her past life. Because of you, she was cared for right up to her dying breath. Because of you, she died knowing that you were there by her side and that your love was guiding her.

May God be with all of your family near and far, and when it becomes too much to bear, lean on His arms and tell him all that is on your heart.