Our dear precious mother has gone to be with Jesus. How ironic it is that today is my 67th birthday and our mom is gone. She just passed away early this afternoon, after I had written this earlier update for today. We are heart broken and sad, but also relieved that she is out of pain and no longer suffering. The last few days have been so agonizing to watch her fade more and more from life. Yes, it’s sad, but also we are rejoicing that we know where she is. She is meeting Jesus face to face and that is the best gift of all.
It’s been so hard to watch her decline, but we are glad she is out of pain now and with her heavenly Father. We prayed that she would not have to suffer long and God honored those requests. As much as it hurts to lose her, she is no longer in a failing body.
She went peacefully after eating a bit of lunch today. I had just been there to see her about an hour before and a nurse care giver was with her when she passed. She went back to sleep and passed away. I knew she was getting bad, but even the hospice nurses were surprised she went this fast. I felt it in my heart that she was bad after I saw her this morning, but had no idea she would be going today on my birthday.
I will cry and grieve, but most of all I will rejoice in celebrating the best mother I could possibly have been gifted. She was an angel on earth and she loved her family so very much. My sister, Renee and niece, Lauren, will be home very soon and we’ll be planning a memorial service for her. I had to go and tell my daddy that she had passed and he took it well, in his state of dementia. I know he understood that she was sick and her body was failing and he was sad to hear she was gone. She was such a wonderful wife, mother and grandmother.
Thank you so much for loving our mom as much as you did! She was every bit the sweet and precious lady you thought she was and we will miss her dearly.
It’s a day of mixed feelings and loss is journey, as I’m sure you already know. Ups and downs and sudden tears months later when it feels fresh all over again. Thank you for sharing your parents with so many. Keeping you and your family in my thoughts and prayers.
May your memories of your sweet mom bring you comfort during this time.
I am crying with you because I know how you feel. Our beloved Mom went to heaven 5 months ago. I am so thankful like you, that we do not grieve without hope because someday we will be with our loved ones again and Jesus. 💜 We are 💔, but are thankful that our Mom like yours is no longer in pain. She would have been 92 in 20 days. Praying for you and your family in the days and weeks to come.
So very sorry! What a wonderful lady she must have been.
Heaven just got even more beautiful with the arrival of your mother.
Rhoda,
I am thinking of you and your family during this difficult time. I appreciate you being so open and sharing all the precious times with your Mom. I enjoyed seeing the pictures of the meals she prepared. You have so many good memories of her to cherish. I am so sorry for your loss.
My heart breaks for all of you💔 Love hugs and prayers Rhonda. And to the grandchildren too. You and your family have done an amazing job with both your parents. ❤️
I’m so sorry for your loss but rejoice with you in knowing your precious mother is with her Savior. My condolences to you, your father and the rest of your family.
So sorry for your loss. Prayers for you, your Dad, and all your family.
I’m so very sorry to hear such sad news. You and your family will be in my thoughts. I feel like I knew your sweet mom and daddy from the wonderful stories you have told .
Oh Rhoda, I am so very sorry! I am so glad you saw her today. I read your update this morning and thought it might be a while, yet. I have followed you and your family stories probably since 2009 or 2010. I really enjoyed watching the family gatherings and the trips and the recipe sharing. Most of all, how sweet she was to read devotionals to everyone and share Jesus. I know she must have been the most precious Mother.
Thank you for sharing your parents journey. Our family has walked this path also and it has been a pleasure to join your family online. I am praying for peace and comfort that HE grants to us when we need it most; especially for your Dad.
Blessings to you and your family,
Paula White
so sorrty. I just finished reading your latest update and thought i must not cimment until I can see through the tears to eliminate so many typos, I scrolled up and saw a new comment i was dreading opening. It is usually callous to just comment that the person is in a much better place while the one you are saying it to is suffering, Prayers for your family as you go throuh this. It is so wonderful that she could have the visit with her true love.
Oh Rhoda, I’m so sorry for the loss of your dear sweet mother and on your birthday too! I feel like I know her and am experiencing a loss too after all these years of reading about her in your updates. I always wanted to pull up a chair and join you guys for one of her home cooked meals. Thanks for inviting us in and letting us come along for the ride with your dearly loved family and precious mother. How wonderful it is to know that you will be reunited one day. Love you friend!
Deepest sympathy to you and your family on this day and many days to come. The grief of losing a mother is deep even as your rejoice in her entry into heaven.
Rhoda,
I am so very sorry for your loss. Praying for you and your family during this time of sorrow. May God give you comfort.
I am so sorry to read this post. I was heartbroken for all of you reading your morning post and very surprised to read this most recent one. I have enjoyed all your family posts and felt a special connection to your parents. It’s such a blessing to have faith in the Lord and know that your mom is with her Savior. May God bless all of you at this very sad time.
Beverly
My heart is sad but glad that your mom is out of pain and living with the Lord. Prayers for your entire family as you mourn her passing.
So sorry Rhoda, prayers for you and your family!
I don’t normally comment to people I follow, but you make us feel like close friends. My heart aches for you and your family. Just know you are surrounded by people who are holding you in their hearts. No words can take away the pain of losing your mother. ❤️
In honor of your birthday and in honor of your mother, I read the poems “Gone From My Sight” and “Ode: Intimations of Immortality” just now. What a deep connection between the two of you. In birth. In death. What a very tender time for you and your family. Wishing you and your family the peace that passeth all understanding…
“Our birth is but a sleep and a forgetting:
The Soul that rises with us, our life’s Star,
Hath had elsewhere its setting,
And cometh from afar:
Not in entire forgetfulness,
And not in utter nakedness,
But trailing clouds of glory do we come
From God, who is our home:
Heaven lies about us in our infancy!” (Ode, excerpt)
“And just at that moment when someone at my side says: “There! She’s gone!” there are other eyes that are watching for her coming; and other voices ready to take up the glad shout: “There she comes!” (Gone From My Sight, excerpt)
Thank you, Jane, I love this! It is bittersweet for sure.
I know the mixed emotions of great relief and sadness we felt when our daddy passed away. We were thankful also that he was gone to a wonderful place that God had prepared for him. Prayers for your sweet daddy, you and your family as you celebrate your precious mom’s life. Thank you for sharing her through the years. She was a blessing to watch.
Oh, Rhoda, I am so sorry for your loss, and on this day particularly. it is such a sorrowful loss when pir mother leaves us. God bless your family as you navigate this turn in life’s path. 💔