Saturday, January 23, 2010

She's With Him Again

Yesterday, we lost her. Well, actually, we lost her a long time ago. She hasn't been herself in many years. My mother-in-law, Sylvia, was once a small but vibrant woman who was quiet, fiercely independent, and was one of the most forward-looking and thinking people I ever met. Instead of focusing on and reminiscing about the past, she was always excited by new technology, new inventions, new fashions, new ideas, new places to travel and visit. She became a widow at a very young age, and finished raising two teenage sons all on her own in the 1970's.

After her boys were grown, she set out to Los Angeles for many years, making a life for herself and starting a career as a medical secretary. She returned to St. Louis after retirement and relished being a grandmother to Mark's daughter Jamie, and our daughter, Emily. She would often travel by train to visit us in Kansas City.

Throughout the last decade, though, she's gradually been losing herself as she slid deeper and deeper into Alzheimer's disease - and away from those she loves most. In the process, she's also given up her independence and had to rely on others in a way that she would have never preferred.

Yesterday, she finally let go of her life here, and returned nearly to the day of her wedding anniversary, to a dear husband she lost long ago. Finally, the two are together again.


We love you Mom. Goodbye for now.

7 comments:

Chery said...

It is truly a bittersweet time. Cherish the good memories.

Phyllis Bourne said...

I see so much of both Bob and Emily in her face. Sorry for your loss.

Rebecca said...

big hugs and warm thoughts to you and your husband and all of the rest of the family during this sorrowful time. your words are so touching and she sounds like she was quite a special woman.

Kim said...

Chelle, I'm so sorry for your loss. Your love and empathy for her are evident in your post. Hugs to you and your family.

P.S. That is a great photo!

Lisa said...

Writing with a lump in my throat to wish you and your family the best during this time. We went through this with my grandmother and it is a sad, sorrowful and confusing experience.

Elysbeth said...

Love and hugs.

Laura said...

I'm so sorry for your family's loss! She had to be a wonderful woman to have raised a great guy like Bob on nearly all her own. Love to you and yours.