Wednesday, October 9, 2013

Death in the Family


We got the call late last week: they had both been hospitalized. My mother-in-laws prognosis was very grave and my father-in-law was in isolation with pneumonia.

Despite the seriousness of his illness, my father-in-law's spirits were good. We all thought he might rally, but his frail, ninety year old body had no fight left in it. Sadly, he passed on Monday night.

About the same time my father-in law took a turn for the worse, my mother-in-law made a surprise recovery. She was just well enough to be taken in a wheelchair to bedside of her husband of seventy years to say her goodbyes.

Yesterday my husband and I helped my mother-in-law eat her oatmeal and drink her morning tea through a straw. You could see in her tiny dark eyes the storm clouds drifting through her mind. "What are you thinking about Mom?"my husband asked.

She looked up at him and whispered a sentiment that I am sure was commonly used to express grief during the second world war, "We lost a really good boy."

I am going to take a blogging break to grieve our family's loss and to help with the round the clock care my mother-in-law requires.


33 comments:

  1. So sorry for your loss, Jennifer ... My sincere condolences !

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  2. I am so very sorry, Jennifer.
    Please know that my thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.

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  3. With deepest sympathy on the loss of your father-in-law, Jennifer. Hope good memories sustain you and your husband through this sad time.

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  4. How amazing to have been married seventy years. Hugs to you, Jennifer, and my thoughts are with your family.

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  5. Hi hon...so very sorry. You want to talk..you know where I am. Kind of overwhelming and know why you need the break. That's why I have not blogged much as you know, losing dad.

    Very hard this is. Such a handsome and 'really good boy'. Love the jaunty angle of the cap..it was 'the style' of the time. How far over you could get it and not have it fall off. Did you know that?

    God bless.

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  6. My sympathies to you and your dear mother in law. She sounds very brave. Tender loving care is the best thing for her.

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  7. I am so very sorry. There really aren't many "really good boys" left. You and your family will be in my prayers.

    xo

    Andie

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  8. So, so sorry for your loss. Sending lots of hugs.

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  9. Oh, this is so sad - I hope she´ll cope as good as she can without him. It must be hard. :-(

    http://tinajoathome.com/

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  10. What a terrible time for you and your family. I wish you all the best Jennifer
    Big hugs Marijke

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  11. I'm so sorry for your loss, Jennifer. Seventy years of marriage is amazing! I'm sure it will be hard for your mother-in-law to adjust; she is fortunate to have you by her side. Keeping you and your family in my thoughts and prayers.

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  12. My sympathies to you and your family Jennifer.

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  13. Jennifer, my thoughts and prayers are with your family. God bless them both. 70 years is something to be very proud of. Peace and strength be with you all.

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  14. I was so sorry to hear your sad news Jennifer, my thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.

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  15. I'm so sorry for your loss. My thoughts are with you all....

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  16. This post brought tears to my eyes. My condolences to you all. I hope your mother in law recovers quickly. Take all the time you need to be with your family. We will be here when you return.

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  17. Sending my deepest condolences to you and your family.

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  18. Sorry for your loss. Condolences to you and your family. Much love.

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  19. Oh, I'm so sorry to hear this and find myself sobbing reading it. Ahh....poor lady will miss him for sure.xxxx

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  20. Sending healing thoughts to you and your family during this time of grieving.

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  21. I am so very sorry for your loss, and send my heartfelt condolences to you and your family. With much love.

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  22. You're in my thoughts and prayers. I am so sorry for this. I know how hard it is.

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  23. It's so sad, Jennifer, when we loss somebody of our family, hugs, dear!

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  24. Oh Jennifer I am so sorry for your loss. It is so hard to fathom the loss of one who is so loved. Remember the love and memories and draw strength from that love.....sending hugs and prayers to you and your family.

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  25. So very sorry for your loss, Jennifer.
    Condolences to you and your family.

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  26. I am very sorry to hear of your loss. You are in my thoughts and prayers.

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  27. May I also offer from Myra and myself sincere condolences.

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  28. Jennifer, I'm so sorry to hear of your father in law's passing. My condolences to your family. Hugs and prayers from afar. Cat

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  29. Dear Friends,
    Thank you so much for your condolences, thoughts and prayers. Three generations of my husband's family are all mourning the loss of their beloved patriarch.
    I am glad to report that my mother-in-law is being released from the hospital today. She is still going to require lots of care, but is doing well.

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