Dancing in Heaven

Quite the day yesterday and today the family will start to gather here to begin planning the celebration of her (mother-in-law) life.

Something new developed in my grief.  I started thinking of how this death seemed somehow more "natural" as in "she lived a good life", "she is at peace with the people she loved and had gone before her", etc., how is this gathering made different from Bill's where it was "unnatural" as in "he was so young", and "he still had so much life to live"?

I have no pearls of wisdom to share on the differences; both bring you to peace.  Peace in Heaven where age, illness and natural order of things no longer factor into happiness.

Dying is part of living.  We gather and celebrate the birth of a child and so too should we gather and celebrate the death of a person, recognizing that they have been all they can be, in sickness and in health, here on Earth.  As we gather together to celebrate one's life, we are all recognizing that dying is part of living.

In the case of the elderly who have been "tucked away" until their death, there is greater need to recognize and celebrate their life.  I have roamed the halls of the Manor for quite a few years now and watched as the elderly thirst for something as simple as eye contact, or a simple, "Hello, how are you."   For these "forgotten" people, the least we can do is celebrate that they have been delivered from this "abandonment"; to recognize that although they were defined by their illness for so long , they mattered.

To the staff and nurses of these Manors, we celebrate and thank you for your dedication and more for your caring hearts.  These elderly people really do become yours.  Many staff yesterday morning shared in my tears, pouring their own in recognition of her life.  You are truly our elderly's angels on earth.

So dearest mother, go "cut a rug" in heaven!  You have been delivered of your illness and are happy with your husband, son and parents!  Until we meet again where Widowhood will no longer be.