Heartache

When thinking of what to title this post I thought of my good friend, Jenn, when she wrote me a sweet e-mail asking how David was doing with his heartache. That describes what has happened, perfectly. On Wednesday morning, August 18, 2010, my wonderful mother-in-law passed away, unexpectedly. I still can't believe it...well, I don't want to believe it. I don't want it to be true. But not wanting it to be true won't change anything. But of course we are just heartbroken and stunned by this great loss.

 She went to work like any other day (she worked for an internal medicine doctor as his nurse for the past 15 years) and came in having a "coughing spell"--she described it that way--and became short of breath and very weak, very quickly. Her loving co-workers tried to get her to the hospital and called an ambulance when they realized it was a very emergent situation. Paramedics happened to be right across the street and were there very quickly. En route to the hospital they lost her, but worked hard for 45 minutes to try and bring her back. They knew her and loved her because she worked with them for many years at the hospital they took her to. It was so quick! We believe it was probably a massive pulmonary embolism (clot in heart/lungs)...in which case honestly nothing could have remedied the situation.

It is so sad because it was so sudden and we miss her...but we have all received a feeling of peace in one way or another confirming that she is happy and probably with her dad and other family members who have passed on before. We really believe that we will see her again after this life...and that does bring some comfort...but it doesn't make it any easier. We still want to just pick up the phone and call her about whatever. David and his mom are especially close...and that's one of the things he says is most difficult...that he'll be going about his day and then think of something or have a question and want to call her up...but then realize he can't. :(

Some things I remember most about my mother-in-law is what a genuine and compassionate person she really was. She would seriously do anything for any of her family members or friends who needed her. She was just that type of person...always thinking of others and putting them before herself. She adored Preston and Aedan and really loved spending time with them. She would try and give us excuses to get out of the house so she could see them...and of course if we ever needed her to watch them she was there in a heartbeat and loved every minute of it. She had pictures of them all over the office at her work and regularly read our blog to see new pictures or anything she may have missed. I first met her almost 11 years ago now and I always admired how she would support David (and his sis) no matter what--even if she didn't agree with him. Also she had a great sense of humor and was so funny! We always had a lot of fun talking and joking.

Here are just a few random pictures I have of her to share...

We really, really love you and miss you, Mom!