jujube
SF VIP
We're moving toward the end of 2021 and my thoughts are turning to where I was and what I was doing "this time last year".
What were you doing? How has your life changed? For the better or for the worse?
"This time last year", My sisters and I were caring for my dying 95-year-old mother in the last months of her life (she died on November 22). I was facing the fact that for the first time in my life, I wouldn't have a mother to talk to, to turn to, to get advice from. She was going calmly, with a clear mind right up to the last couple of days, dying in her own home as she had wished. Thank goodness for the help of Hospice, which made this all possible.
"This time last year", we were in the heavy days of CoronaVirus, unable to have visitors or even a funeral at the time. We had people to call, to break the bad news to, to comfort. We needed comfort, too. Once again, Hospice was there with counseling and offers of help.
"This time last year", I was dealing with settling the estate, paperwork that seemed miles long, closing out accounts and switching billing for utilities, etc.
"This time last year", Thanksgiving came two days after she died. It was a quiet meal, only attendees.
"This year" there will be a "celebration of life" in a park near her house on the anniversary of her death. We are required to hold attendance down to 100 and have a waiting list of people who want to attend if there are any cancellations. Everyone coming is vaccinated and we will wear masks and observe distancing as much as possible. There will be some hugging, I know. There will be tears but there will also be laughter as people remember their interactions with my mother, who was a marvelous and unique person. There is an increased feeling that we are all going to get through this crisis and life will eventually return to at least as normal as it can get.
"This year", I am the "Matriarch" of the family, the oldest of those who are left. I'll never be able to fill my mother's shoes, but I will try.
What is your story of what your life has been since "this time last year"?
What were you doing? How has your life changed? For the better or for the worse?
"This time last year", My sisters and I were caring for my dying 95-year-old mother in the last months of her life (she died on November 22). I was facing the fact that for the first time in my life, I wouldn't have a mother to talk to, to turn to, to get advice from. She was going calmly, with a clear mind right up to the last couple of days, dying in her own home as she had wished. Thank goodness for the help of Hospice, which made this all possible.
"This time last year", we were in the heavy days of CoronaVirus, unable to have visitors or even a funeral at the time. We had people to call, to break the bad news to, to comfort. We needed comfort, too. Once again, Hospice was there with counseling and offers of help.
"This time last year", I was dealing with settling the estate, paperwork that seemed miles long, closing out accounts and switching billing for utilities, etc.
"This time last year", Thanksgiving came two days after she died. It was a quiet meal, only attendees.
"This year" there will be a "celebration of life" in a park near her house on the anniversary of her death. We are required to hold attendance down to 100 and have a waiting list of people who want to attend if there are any cancellations. Everyone coming is vaccinated and we will wear masks and observe distancing as much as possible. There will be some hugging, I know. There will be tears but there will also be laughter as people remember their interactions with my mother, who was a marvelous and unique person. There is an increased feeling that we are all going to get through this crisis and life will eventually return to at least as normal as it can get.
"This year", I am the "Matriarch" of the family, the oldest of those who are left. I'll never be able to fill my mother's shoes, but I will try.
What is your story of what your life has been since "this time last year"?
