Jackie just called and asked me to let everyone know that her mother passed away peacefully today. She will post when she can. I know all of us will hold her close in our hearts today and in the days to come. Rest in peace Yolanda.

Thanks Lori.

I'm sorry for your loss Jackie. my prayers are with you and your family.

Dearest Jackie, I am sorry for your loss. Freed from the prison of her body and mind, your mom now soars with the angels. You are in my thoughts and prayers.

My dearest Jackie,

My heart cries for you and your family.

I send you my prayers. In the midst of your deepest sorrow, know that God is with you as your precious Mother stands beside Him. As much as it hurts, may knowing that your Mom now walks among God's angels bring you perhaps a moment of comfort.

With my love and tears,

Joyce

Dearest Jackie,

You and your family have my most heartfelt sympathies.

Know we are surrounding you with thought and prayer. Peace be with you.

Dear friends,
Thank you all for all the wonderful words of sympathy.

Mom passed away last night around 9:30pm surround by us all. She had been in so much pain the last three to four days that it was unbearable for her. Thank God for Morphine and hospice. I don't think the pain was from AD, but think there may have been something else going on in her body. She had had a few mini strokes, and also a few seizures.

On early Sunday morning, she was flowing BM like a river, and throwing up bile. She continued the BM most of the day, and finally stopped. Every time we had to change her it was horrible for her. She just screamed at pain at even the slighted touch.

Most times she was out from the morphine as we were giving it every 2 hours. But in between she was eyes wide open, and staring into space. Just touch her arm made her in pain.

Around 7:30pm last night, three of us changed her and there was no pain, no movement, nothing. We knew that this was the end. Two hours later she took her last breath and peacefully died.

I'm doing ok for now. I only have one problem and that's that we are going to wait until Sunday and Monday for wake and funeral. The only other option was tomorrow and funeral on Christmas Eve and I feel that I can't do that for people that will be attending. I hate that she'll be there for six days, I just hate it, but I can't just think of myself, others have to be considered.

The house is so quite right now that its almost unbearable, but I'm keeping busy with things. I still plan on having Christmas Day at my house with the kids. My oldest daughter wanted to have it at hers, but I want to have it here. It will keep me busier and my mine occupied with preparation of food and celebration for my children and grandchildren. Funny how that is what keeps you going.

Thank you all again. I'll be back, and I'm here when you need me. I can only pray that all you that have loved ones still with this disease can see them go as peacefully as Mom did.

love to you all,
Jackie

Thanks Lori for letting everyone know. And your right, Mom does have her wings, and I bet she asked for blue ones, her favorite color!!!

Jackie, just wanted to let you know I am thinking about you and keeping you close in my heart. I'm glad you are having Christmas at your house. I agree it will be good to have family around and keep busy.

You done good, hun. I don't know how you did it, but you did. I admire you and your strength. That stubbornness and determination really got you through some tough spots. Your love for Yo showed in every action, every thought, every word. You were so very good to her and I think she knew she was safe in your home and being taken care of.

Yo was a hoot and I really enjoyed meeting her. What a neat sense of humor she had and I admired that.

Take care, my friend. These coming days will be full of emotions for you. I am here for you. We all are. And don't forget to give that wonderful husband of yours a big hug from us. My thoughts are with you both.

Oh Jackie, What a long haul this has been and you've done well, you've been such an inspiration to me and to so many others. Your mom was loved and cared for and she knew it. I'm so thankful that she was able to stay home with you even through such trying times, you and your husband are amazing. I pray that you will be comforted now with your family around, hug them all lots and rest, rest, rest. Sunday/Monday will come soon enough. You are very loved and appreciated Jackie, take care and big hugs to you, ~Kelly~

Dear Jackie,

My most sincere condolences to you and your family. It is never easy to come up with the words that will stop your heart from breaking when it is your loved one who has 'graduated' to a better place. I sit here, remembering how it was with Old Navy. I knew it was coming... that he wasn't going to survive his broken hip... yet, when that moment came, it took us by surprise. Like you, we were with him when he took his last breath. He was in peace and at eternal rest.

Hold close the good memories of your Mother, Jackie. Although the road was a very difficult one to travel with your Mom, you were there to help her to the end of her journey.

May God be with you, and grant you peace of mind.

{{{{HUGS}}}} my dear friend.

Oh Jackie, I am so glad I checked in tonight. You sound good, and I am so glad your Mom was surrounded by all her loved ones, and left peacefully. What more can we ask for? You were, and are, an exceptionally good & loyal daughter, your Mom was lucky to have you!

I hope Christmas is not to hard on you. Love & Prayers to you & your family!

Dear Jackie- I'm so very sorry for your loss. I'm sure there is something to be said about your mother's passing so close to Christmas. May the warmth of your family and friends console you during your time of grieving. We are all here for you if you need us!

Love,
Aitan

Dear Jackie ,
I'm so sorry for your loss. You did all that was humanly possible for your Mom. You are amazing!
She's one of the stars shining down on us now.
Having Christmas will fill the house with love and laughter - what a wonderful way to celebrate her too.
Be gentle with yourself.
Peace
Eileen

Jackie,

If you want and still have the number you can call me. I am right there with you. Remember we all love you.

Just checking in on you, Jackie. How are you holding up with all the holiday activities? Just know that we are all thinking of you at this time, and we know just how rough it can be. You are still in my prayers, dear!

Hello all,
Well, I got through Christmas and New Years Eve (Mom's birthday) and New Years Day. I've had a few breakdowns, and instead of holding them in, I've been finally going with them.

The wake and funeral services were really nice. Mom looked beautiful. She long ago always said she wanted a closed casket for viewing, but we just couldn't do it. And I'm so glad we didn't. I guess I take after her (don't go to the mailbox without makeup done ) (ok Lori, stop laughing) as she may have been worried she wouldn't look her best, but I have to tell you, she did.

Her hair was all gray as it was too hard to tint her hair the last few months. So we had the hairdresser at the funeral home tint it and also give her a haircut. The color was perfect, just as she liked it. Her face was wonderfully smooth as always (she always contributed that to Ponds cold cream) She really looked like a beautiful Angel. She is up there I know thanking me for that.

The hardest part was the day of the funeral. Knowing that that casket was going to close was the worse. I have to say, I really lost it then. If any of you request not to have services or have a closed casket to your kids or family, don't. It really is important to have that closure, for me it was anyhow.

The church service was beautiful. The singer at the church sang the Ave Maria like an Angel. And we had the hospice deacon assist the priest. He gave a wonderful homily which is like a eulogy but scripture related, and said some wonderful things.

Our ending song exiting from church was Angels among us by Alabama. Mom loved Angels so it was so very appropriate. If you get a chance, listen to it. We cut out the first few minutes as it is talking, and used both chorus'.

We had a luncheon afterwards with 80 people, and what comfort that brings to have all that support. The first thing I did was ask for a Manhattan. Figured I deserved one that day!!!

I look in the corner of the family room, the hospice recliner is gone, and replaced with the one she used to sit at. It's hard not to see her there. Regrets? Yep, I have a few. (oh my God, Frank Sinatra sang that!) Guilt sets in when I remember the times I got so impatient with her. And times when instead of me sitting there with her I had the caregivers sit there while I washed clothes, or made dinner or cleaned up when I could have left it for later. So many things. But I have to try to keep thinking what someone, or two, have told me. Only God is perfect. I can't go back, but I can sure try to make it right to the rest of the human race.

Well my friends, thats about it. I need to start a new life here, and I don't know where the heck to start. I walk around this house feeling lost, and have alot of time on my hands it seems. Have to learn how to budget it wisely now I guess. Maybe I can start seeing the kids and grandchildren more often now and start attending some of their sports games. And start on those diets that hubby and I have been talking about for over 3 years huh??

love you all,
Jackie