About 4:30 PM at the start of Halloween Night, I received a phone call from my sister telling me that my Mom was gone. Mom had Breast Cancer. Mom got it 3 years ago and started having treatments of chemo and radiation. We thought she had it beat. She went 2 years with no sign of the disease, but it wasn't gone, just hiding. At our Bi yearly family reunion, mom started not feeling well. Well some test and we found out that that the cancer came back with a vengeance. It attacked her lungs, bones, and liver. Mom chose the option to fight. She knew that she would never be cured from the disease, but she was not going to lie down either. She started taking chemo again, even knowing how it made her feel weak and the pain it caused her physically. She hated needles. (Now I know where I got my aversion to needles from.) And she wouldn't let her weakness stop her from doing what she wanted to do. The last trip she made before she pasted, was to Portland to go to the wedding of a friends daughter that she help raised. Mom considered Erica a granddaughter, and she was not going to miss her wedding. The trip cost her two days in the hospital in Portland before she was well enough to travel home. Spending those days at the hospital at her bedside, I never heard her regret her going on the trip. She admitted that it probably was not the best idea, but if she had to make the choice again, it would have been the same.
On Friday 31 October 2008, while Mom was asleep in front of the television, she left else for greener pastures. She may be physically gone, but she will always be with us. We think of her with everyplace we look, because everything brings back a memory of her. As long as she is in our memories and we never forget her, Mom will always be with us and never really will be gone.
David
Mom
In Portland 10/17/2008
Mom's Family
Violet, Harold (Jr.) Harold, Donold, Beverly, Thomas (L-R, B-F)
Beverly's Songs
2 comments:
I have very fond memories of Aunt Beverly, she was a very special lady. I will always remember how she selflessly gave of herself to take care of our Grandparents and the first sentence out of her mouth when my Dad wasn't doing well was "Do you want me to come up?" The family reunion in Tahoe this year is extra special now, and we were glad we could get in a nice visit. You all are in our thoughts, and we cherish the memories we have of your mother. With Love, Cousin Tina and Family
I also have so many great memories of Aunt Beverly. When I think of her today, the first thing that comes to mind is her infectious and wonderful laugh! The family gatherings that we all got to enjoy together growing up were such happy times and great memories and I am happy to be blessed enough to be part of them. She will be missed, but never forgotten. Keep all of the fun memories or your mom handy as they will make the tough days a little easier. With Much Love, Kathi and Mike VanEtten
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