My mother-in-law passed away at 10:25 p.m. last Saturday evening, January 16, 2010. We knew it was coming, but that doesn't lessen our sadness. She was too young and it was too quick and she belongs with us.I cried all day yesterday. I woke up OK, and then after a few minutes I just started crying. We went to church, and during Sacrament Meeting do you think we got to sing Put Your Shoulder to the Wheel, or Shall the Youth of Zion Falter? Nooo. We sang songs like Where Can I Turn for Peace? and Come, Follow Me. And we heard talks on Matthew 11:28-30: Come unto me all ye that labor and are heavy laden and I will give you rest.
Church was not the place to be to stop my crying; I should have gone to play tennis instead. [above left, Mom's obituary]
After Sacrament Meeting was over, Bruce taught the Gospel Doctrine class (on the creation) and then I taught Relief Society (on "our heavenly family"). Our ward members got to hear, and see, more than enough crying from the Norths yesterday.
We went to be with the family last night. Before this last illness, Mom often felt very tired and spent a lot of time in her room even when we went to visit. And for the past month, every time we visited the house she was in the hospital. But now, even with Dad still there, and Brad and his family living there, and John, too, the house feels kind of empty. Maybe it's just the heaviness of our hearts that makes it feel so.
I am surprised by how very sad I feel. I mean, I love Mom and I knew I'd be sad, but I am so very sad right now. I know she must feel better to be freed from a body that was so sick; I know she's with her family who have passed on, and I know we will see her again. She does belong with us; we will be with her again. I know this.
But we will miss her; I grieve for my loss—even if it is temporary—I grieve for Bruce, who has lost his mother; I grieve for our brother John, with no wife to console him; I grieve for little grandchildren who won't know this grandma; and I grieve for Dad's loneliness too.
We will miss her.
This is one of my favorite pictures of Margaret. She is holding
her first grandbaby, Michael, on the day he was born.
her first grandbaby, Michael, on the day he was born.
5 comments:
I'm so sorry! We will keep you in our prayers! We love you!
We're so sorry.
Bruce,
I am so sorry to hear about your mother’s passing. I had no idea she had been so sick. Loralee sent me a link to her blog. Loralee obviously loved your mother very much and I wish I had known her better myself.
I feel like I am entering a new phase in life. My parents are starting to suffer the effects of old age and I know there will be many challenges for them (and for me) in the months and years to come. I feel like we are much too young to be dealing with ill parents. It sounds as if you are handling it with remarkable resilience and faith. I will keep those traits in mind as I no doubt am faced with similar challenges in the future.
Though I can’t relate to the heartache you are currently facing, please let me know if I can do anything to help. You, your father, and your entire family are in my thoughts and prayers.
David
Bruce and Loralee,
I am so sorry for your loss. She was indeed, too young. As you said, even when you know it's coming, it's never easy.
You have my deepest sympathy.
Kim
Bruce,
I too am sorry for your loss. Loralee's blog brought back a few memories of how kind your mother was. She was wonderful. Thanks for including those delightful picutures.
Like Dave said, we are now entering a new stage of life where we now take the responsibility of looking out for our parents as they grow a little older. Maybe we can pay them back a little.
Take care and may the Lord bless you in your time of need.
Robert
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