We took turns watching over Mom throughout the night in two-hour shifts. Her breathing relaxed around 3 am after sitting her more upright. It didn\u2019t look particularly comfortable, but after over 24 hours of labored breathing it was probably a relief. Her easy breathing has continued throughout the day, which was a great relief to us after last evening’s scare. Rebecca arrived a little after 6 am, when Dad was just getting up to replace Rachel. We must have been sleeping lightly because several of us heard her arrival and joined the watchers in the living room to welcome her.<\/p>\n
Becka brought Mom a fresh lei from Hawai\u2019i of plumerias and orchids. Mom didn\u2019t respond much when it was placed around her neck and we held it up for her to smell. A couple of minutes later however, her left hand moved slowly up to touch the flowers and she rested it there on the lei. It was such a small thing, but knowing how difficult it is for her to initiate movement in her muscles, we knew that meant she cherished the gift. Its beautiful fragrance has filled the home all day.<\/p>\n
Maybe it was finding the perfect position for her breathing or having all of her children together again, or maybe it was the calming magic of the lei, but in any case Mom has been very peaceful all day. Late this afternoon we gathered around as a family and sang to Mom and had a family prayer. Dad spoke to Mom to comfort her and tell her that if she needs to leave, she can go. It was hard, but we don\u2019t want her to linger because she\u2019s worried about us.<\/p>\n
Since she can\u2019t swallow anymore without frequent (and distressing) coughing fits, we’re no longer able to give her much to drink. We swab her mouth and give her tiny sips of water to try and keep her comfortable. But she often closes her mouth tight after one sip, indicating that she just doesn’t want it. Her temperature fluctuates a great deal and today the hospice nurse recorded a slight fever, so we have been using a cool, damp cloth on her face and neck throughout the day. Luckily, her lungs have remained clear of the pneumonia that so often comes as a complication to this disease.<\/p>\n
Rebecca\u2019s oldest child, Amber, called today, which Mom seemed to perk up for. She is away at college, so she wasn\u2019t with her siblings when they called the other day. Mom also showed some wide-eyed interest when I sat with her and reminisced about her coming out to California to help us move and paint when Jim and I bought our house four years ago. She continues to enjoy music and memories when all other forms of entertainment have paled.<\/p>\n
This evening Joseph read from The Good Master<\/em>, which is one of Mom\u2019s favorite books. It tells the story of two young cousins in Hungary, Mom\u2019s ancestral home. There is one particular chapter that we read out loud each year as part of our Christmas traditions. I have listened to her read it so many times over the years that I could hear her voice in my mind, with all the little inflections she would use. Toward the end of the chapter, a father is explaining to his child who St. Nikolas really is (in this book, his name is Mikulas). He says, “He’s always the one who loves you best in the world.” Joseph stopped and added, “You’re our Mikulas, Mom.” It was a very tender moment.<\/p>\n Tonight when I said goodnight to Mom, I was inspired by the lei still around her neck, and I started to sing the chorus of Aloha Oe<\/em> to her. I forgot the words half-way through, so Rebecca sang it from the beginning:<\/p>\n Ha`aheo e ka ua i n\u00e2 pali Translation:
\nKe nihi a`ela i ka nahele
\nE uhai ana paha i ka liko
\nPua `\u00e2hihi lehua o uka
\nHui:
\nAloha `oe, aloha `oe
\nE ke onaona noho i ka lipo
\nOne fond embrace,
\nA ho`i a`e au
\nUntil we meet again<\/p>\n
\n\u201cProudly the rain sweeps over the cliffs of the Pali
\nThe clouds glide through the trees
\nAlways following the buds,
\nthe fragrant lehua blossoms
\nA loving farewell,
\nMy dearest who walks among the bowers
\nOne fond embrace before I depart,
\nUntil we meet again.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\t\t