I can't thank you enough for all the kind words and emails I've had during the last week. I have just returned home last night after Uncle Doug's funeral yesterday. It was an incredibly hot day in Napier and very appropriate for his farewell. I managed to speak about his love for everyone and why I loved him so very much. I have so many precious memories of the last few days
- when he reached out and gave Diane and myself a big hug and kiss and said we were "Good Girls".
- when he couldn't stop laughing.. for what reason I will never know but he really put a smile on my face. The radiation caused cerebal swelling and this caused a lot of strange behaviours during the last few days.
- when he woke and told me I looked like his mother-in-law and if I had her temperament I would be ok!
- when he told Diane and me that he was sorry we were having a bad day (when his health deteriorated)
- when he could no longer speak or open his eyes but squeezed our hands tight to acknowledge us.
- when he grabbed his son's hand tight and said his name only to fall back asleep.
- and then when he slipped away unnoticed while Diane and I were eating toast and marmalade. Just as he would have wanted.
It was so worth the 36 hour days without sleep because the staffing levels were so low in hospital.
And it was worth the stress levels when I saw in the rear vision mirror the ambulance driver falling asleep (I was so busy trying to pacify Uncle who was trying to climb off the stretcher). No wonder she kept driving onto the judder strips and staying on them.. I'd thought she was letting cars past!!! I had to shout to her over the noise of the ambulance to keep her awake and poor Uncle thought I was shouting at him and wagged his finger at me. It was not funny
Anyway thank you all again for listening and caring about your blogger friend. I really appreciate it especially now I am home alone again. However, I think I might settle into Wellington now that I don't have to worry about dear Uncle now. I think this is the start of the rest of my life.
6 comments:
You were a good niece to him, you were a comfort to him and the memories will always be a comfort to you.
Glad you are home safe... and more settled there now.
Glad you are home safe and more settled there now.
I think you're onto something there my love, settling down will do wonders for your... everythingness! And we are happy to have you settle among us xoxo
Aw, I still feel your loss...But life goes on and the stress of the past few months will leave and as you said, life does go on.
Hi Karen,
So very hard for you the past few months, and in a way as much as it is sad to say goodbye, at least now you know that he is no longer suffering.
Sending you my love and hugs and I think that is a good way making this the start of the rest of your life.
Hope that you are having a lovely weekend
Hugs
Carolyn
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