Kickas.org Forums Ankylosing Spondylitis General Discussion #1 AS Web Support Group Mom is Dying

Beloved,
I held my mom’s hand last week. I had driven the 600 miles
in record / but safe time.
She did not know that I was coming, but even though her neck is twisted and her head down; she whispered, “Lonnie, Lonnie’s here”. There were two young nurse aids helping here get back in bed, as I got there.
Her body is twisted by Parkinson’s. Her hands and arms are bruised and black from needles and bruising. For a bit more than two days I was able to feed her, joke with her and pray for her. She is loved by all the staff, because she does not complain, and tells them, thank you and that she prays for their young babies and boy friends that are mean or… she just loves them. It was humbling for me to see them all drop to their knees and look into her eyes and say “sassy, I love you”. She would then call them by name and with great difficulty pat their face and say she loved them..
The morning I left, was holding her bruised hand in mine, my head touching hers and I found myself without words. In the middle of my prayer, I realized that I wanted to be like my mom. How did she win, such love from others? she expresses love. When these young girls go home, they know someone who takes care for them, loves them. They have been, call girls, bikers, and professional strippers. It does not matter where we come from, what is most important is that we are headed in the right direction. We all behave better when we are loved. Like my mom, I choose love.
As I was speechless in the middle of a prayer, and tears dripped off my nose, our heads touching she whispered, better go now Lon. I hope that my heart always feels love before anger or judgment. I can only imagine when I will see her again, or if I will in this life.
I felt like mom’s love reached beyond my presence into the heavens. She seemed to connect heaven to my very being. And though a sinner, I saw her connect to each of those young girls who needed to be encouraged, and help them as if she was a youth herself..
I have been blessed and have seen first hand how real love transcends age. It sure was worth the trip, to see how to love.
Your Brother
Lon

I'm so glad you had that time with your mom, Lon. What a wonderful person she is, a gift of love to the people around her.

Karen

Oh Lon, I too am happy that you had that special time with your Mother....it's a good thing...no regrets later...but I'm very sorry to hear this sad news, my thoughts and prayers are with you.

My Deepest Condolences,
Michelle

Lon,
So sorry to hear. I am glad you had a chance to spend some time with her..

Hi,

Thank you for your message. I'm sitting here at work and feel truly inspired my your mother's faith in the creator and the unjudgemental love she has for others. You say you want to be like her but it sounds as though you already are.
I don't know you or any of the other people here but I always am constantly suprised how caring people are about strangers on the other side of the world and how sharing you are all with your time and personal experiences. Thank you to you and your mother.

My thoughts are with you.

Regards,

Emily

Hi Lon,

I am sorry to hear of your mother. She sounds like quite a lady. I am thankful for your mother because you turned out to be a reflection of her love and all of us have benefited from it.

Bill

dear lon,

i am so glad you had this time with your mother.
she and you both sound like very special people.
it sounds like that trip did you a world of good.

sue

Lon,

I'm sorry to hear of your mother's condition. I hope she is not suffering and is comfortable. Your post touches the heart. Mothers are special people.

Dearest Lon:

My mother passed away in her sleep and I never had to watch her suffer in the hospital or retirement home. Unfortunately, I can not say the same about my father.
You are truely blessed to have her as an example of love even when trying to cope with the problems of the disease.
My mother always encouraged others who had many problems and troubles.

I am so sorry to hear how sick she is but you will never regret making the trip to see her. I actually saw my mom the day before she passed. It was mother's day and I know that my brother's most likely regret not making the trip to visit her.

I will pray for your mother and your family.

I have not been on this site for a long time and something told me to log on this evening. Glad it was to talk to you.

Love,

Mary Alicia in Maryland

Thank you for sharing this, and my thoughts are with you.
Janine