Wednesday, July 18, 2012

In Loving Memory - My Mommy

Franciene - My Mommy
April 12, 1942 - July 13, 2012
This is the most difficult post to write to you. Yet I am because you have been with me this whole journey from the very beginning. You have prayed for mom, me and my family and you have truly helped me every step of the way. Your comments, you leave for me, I have clung on to and have cherished. Why? because I didn't feel alone and you gave me and my family strength through your prayers. I heart-fully Thank You. My last post was at 2:47AM in the morning. Mom passed away later that day at 1:45PM. My mommy Franciene was an amazing loving and giving women to the VERY END.
I'm so sorry. When I started this blog I only intended it to be for Cross stitching projects and needleworks, just fun stuff. Nothing so deep. But then we learned mom was ill. I have never been so scared in my life. I reached out and shared with you. And you prayed for us and helped ME and my family. My mom was such a fun fun loving women. And talented with needleworks, crafts and arts. So much so that anyone who knows me or Nicole knows we are the house of crafts. Even my son Nicholas is going to Academy of Art University in San Francisco. And all because of my mom who passed on her love of arts to me, and I to him. Also I want to share that I could of have never had cared for mom at home if it wasn't for my remarkable and amazing sister Nicole. We worked beautifully as a team. I took the shifts till 4AM and then she took over so I could get some sleep. Yes we had hospice at home but a nurse only came once a week, a Chaplin and a social worker. I must of have made 17 phone calls of moms last 48 hours here on earth. Why? Because that's how fast her pain was increasing and Nicole and I stayed right on top of it. It was hard but we kept going. I'm not complaining - only sharing. With the grace of God and prayers we able to always be there for mom. The last week caring for mom my sister and I got maybe 3 hours sleep per 48 hours. We did our best to make mom comfortable, and we were told we did beautifully. How to confirm? Mom remained peaceful while sleeping. Nicole and I really haven't slept much in the last month. Now we are felling it every moment of the day. I think it will take a long time till we get back to normal sleeping and functioning day to day. Of course we still push on and remain as strong as we can each day, one day at a time.
I've learned so much through this whole experience. I know there are many of us who are the main caregiver for our parent or parents. It's been my honor to have gotten to be there for mom. I know now that mom is with my dad in heaven.
I'm so tired I have to stop writing. I hope I didn't ramble on. So much yet to do. I miss you all. I peaked at a few blogs and it felt so very foreign to me yet it was so nice to see pretties. I will need to ground myself back but not just yet. Little by little. To much of business stuff to do, planning & working on mom's Memorial (no date set yet). And I want to thank every one of you for your prayers and leaving me comments. I've read everyone of them. So sorry I did not reply back, but I've not had the strength or clarity to do so. I pray you understand.
With much Love Annette

28 comments:

Rowyn said...

My thoughts are with you and your family at this very sad time.

It sounds like you and your sister did an amazing job looking after your Mum. Thanks for sharing your story.

Sending big hugs your way.

Emma/Itzy said...

How sad. At least she had family around her to the very end and that will have meant so much to her.

My thoughts are with you and your family.

Em x

Chris said...

Your Mom sounds like she was a wonderful woman.
My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family at this time.

Lianne said...

Annette,

Thank you for sharing with us.

I am so very sorry.

You have been in my thoughts, hoping you and your family are coping and that you mom was comfortable. Please take care of yourself and one another.

Lianne

Vickie said...

Dear Annette. I am so very sorry.We can of course rejoice also. And I know this gives you comfort and peace. I have thought of you and prayed for you daily. What special, loving, wonderful daughters you two are. Oh, I hope my children love and care for me someday, just as you two have done for your mom. Take care Annette.♥

Melissa said...

I'm terribly sorry to hear of you loss. Sending my thoughts and prayers.

Melissa

Julie said...

So sorry for your loss Annette.
Your mum sounds like a great lady.Both you and your sister done a brilliant job that by no means would have been easy.Take care.

CalamityJr said...

What a wonderful gift you and your sister gave your mother, caring for her so well and lovingly even when it was most difficult. My thoughts and prayers are with you now.

Terri said...

So sorry for your loss!

Hugs and prayers!

Terri

Carol said...

Although I knew this day was coming, I still read your post with tears in my eyes, Annette. You were certainly blessed with a special mother and sister. How wonderful that you and Nicole were able to devote all your time to helping your mother pass in peace.

I know you're feeling a huge hole in your heart right now, but, hopefully that will, over time, be filled with all of the good memories of special times you shared with her...

Sending hugs and love...
Carol

Akila said...

I am terribly sorry to hear about your mom Annette. I am glad that she did not have to suffer any more though. Am sure she passed on a happy woman, surrounded by so much love.
Take care

Hetti said...

Dear Annette,so sorry to read your mum is passed away and I wish you and your sister Nicole and family much love in this difficult time together.
I admire the strenght of you both to take care day and night for mum.
Hugs,
Hetti

P.J. said...

Bless you and your sister for being such angels for your mother. She now rests in peace and free of pain. May your prayers give you strength and your memories bring you joy and peace. Am so sorry for your loss Annette, my heart is with you, your sister and your families. Hugs.

Mindi said...

I'm so sorry for your loss, I just recently went through the same thing with my grandmother. I took comfort that the end was quick, and hospice made sure she was comfortable, hopefully you can do the same. Get the rest you need and know the stitching/blogging friends are thinking of you.

Chocolates4Breakfast (Terri Malinovich) said...

I am so very sorry for your loss, Annette. Your momma sound like a wonderful woman who was blessed to have you and your sister care for her. God bless.

marly said...

She was obviously a caring and wonderful woman to have raised children so selfless and loving. My sympathy to you and your family.

Sharon said...

Annette, I am so very sorry to hear of your loss. Your mom sounds pretty special and she certainly raised to two loving and exceptional daughters that were her best blessing in the end. God bless you and your family during this difficult time.

Beaj said...

Dear Annette,
I'm so sorry for the loss of your precious Mommy. How proud she was of her children and famlly. Please know that you did all you could to make her journey as comfortable as possable. Take Care dear friend of yourself and surround yourself with family and friends as you make your way through this sorrowful time one day at a time. Remember that our prayers continue and we're here for you whenever you need us.
God Bless.

~Narita said...

Oh Annette,

I am so sorry to hear about your mom. I can truly imagine how you feel.
My mom died 2 days before yours, also at my house. :(

My thoughts are with you.

Linda said...

Hi Annette. I just found your blog and became a follower. I am so sorry for your loss. I lost my mom in 1995 and it does get easier with time.
I would love for you to come visit my blog when you have a chance.

Linda

ddddddddddddddddddddddf my kitten is helping me type lol
http://bengalcatlover10.blogspot.com/

Lynn said...

I am so sorry for your loss Annette. My heart goes out to you and your family and I will keep all of you in my thoughts and prayers.

Stitching Cat said...

Annette, so sorry to hear of your loss. Cherish your memories!

Ruth said...

What an engaging smile. Here's to your mom and dad sharing the joy of keeping an eye on you through the coming years.

You do not need to ask our forbearance -- you need to just remember that there are a lot of people giving you hugs and warm wishes from a distance.

Karoline said...

I'm so sorry for your loss. I shall keep you and your family in my thoughts and prayers

Karyn said...

Oh Annette...I am so very sorry for your loss, know that I will continue to hold you in prayers and heart.
Hugs
Ma

Unknown said...

My DEAR precious Annette, and FAMILY. I just read this, and so sorry I did not know sooner. I KNOW WHAT YOU ARE GOING THRU. I took care of Kens mom until her passing of lung cancer. I will tell you to take it slow. And know that the deep love that you shared with your mother will never ever fade away. It will always stay with you and comfort you in times when needed most. It's the missing her that will be hard. A memory will warm your sou and fill your heart with love and peace. The one thing that keeps me going with the passing of so many of my loved ones lves is knowing that this is all in GODS plan, and we need to trust. Love e never Dies Annette.

Melissa said...

Hi Annette,

I'm so sorry I missed this post. What with all the stuff with my work I was just not blog visiting much.

I am very sorry for your loss. It's a month now and I hope things are easing up a bit at a time. That's a lovely photo of her and she seems like she was a lot of fun to be around. That she passed on her love of art & crafts to two generations was indeed a gift. I am sure she was very thankful that you and your sister were able to take care of her at home.

Belated hugs to you, my friend!

~Narita said...

Hi Annette,
Plz will you email me? I'm wondering which part of California you are in. We have a stitching group that gets together every month to hang out and stitch and maybe you're near us...