My father, brother, nephew and I were able to call Maggie and tell her good-bye today while she was still aware and understood us. I told her I love her, I forgave her for anything for which she needed forgiveness and asked for her to forgive me for anything for which I needed forgiveness. I told her we were grateful for her in our lives and grateful that she was a part of our family, and that she had lived a life she could be proud of.
Around 6:45 pm this evening Maggie slipped into a coma. I don’t know when she began Cheyne-Stokes breathing — it is the struggle to breathe alternating with quieter breathing and silences that is frightening and painful to witness in a loved one. A few minutes ago, around 11:30 pm, Maggie’s brother told her it was all right, she could let go … and she did. Surrounded by her family, Maggie has gone home.
The best thing that any of us can hope is that we leave the planet better for our having been here. She sure did that. *hug*
Peter and Janis,
Thank you. I’m happy that learning about Maggie’s life is being helpful for you — she would love that!
It is a consolation to me that Maggie got to see my first post about her. She liked it when I told her that she was famous on the Internet and had many people she didn’t know praying for her and being inspired by her life. This morning her sister told me that Maggie told one of her nurses last week that she was a movie star! It took her sister a moment to realize that Maggie was joyful about being famous on the Internet — she was famous, movie stars are famous, so she was a movie star!
Cynthia
Her pain is over and she has the peace that she deserves, nay, has earned. The world is a better place because she lived. For every Mother Theresa there are hundreds of Maggies.
You, with your care of your beautiful Margaret, walked in Maggie’s footsteps, some. Working with your father you are fast filling those shoes. I suspect you do not believe you will ever do the work she did. I say you will do more, for you are standing on her shoulders.
Just hearing your stories, Cyn, is making me work a little more with not only my Linda Lou, but with our neighbor, who is still getting used to the loss of her husband. So, thank you and thank you, Maggie. I’ll look you up when I get there.
I pray that Maggie is welcomed into God’s presence. Your choice of music for this post is perfect, Cynthia. Dolly Parton has long been one of my favorite musical artists, and how appropriate this song is! My thoughts and prayers are with you and family and all who knew Maggie and now miss her. I hope to meet her some day too.
*Big Hugs*
Mark,
Thank you.
Cynthia