Update

     Just a few lines tonight to update you on my mom. She is still in the hospital and hanging on. They will keep her there a few more days and then we will have to move her to a nursing home/rehab center. It won't be the same one that she hated so much. It is a very nice place, but she wouldn't want to be there. She sleeps most of the time, but has been responsive since the massive stroke on Saturday morning. She has opened her eyes a few times, she can give a thumbs up and down, a smile, a pat on the cheek if we are lucky. She isn't in pain and doesn't seem to be afraid. My dad on the other hand is really struggling. We've had to make some very tough decisions, most resting on his shoulders. The four oldest grandchildren (2 mine, 2 my sister's) have been down to see her and she knew they were there. My daughter was the lucky one, she came before Saturday's stroke.
     My mom isn't going to recover. It is simply a matter of days or possibly weeks until she leaves us. I came home today. I had been down there a month and while leaving was the most difficult thing I've ever done, it was to the point that I was simply watching my dad watch my mom. I needed to be home with my husband, my dad needed some time alone with mom and to accept what has happened. It has been the worst month of my life, but also it has been the best. I don't have words for how sad I am, but I am at peace and I feel like the luckiest person alive to have had this time with both my mom and my dad. I am really trying to focus on just how lucky I am. 
     I want to tell you all about the woman my mother is, and I will in a day or two. Tonight I'm simply too tired to do her justice. Thank you so much for all the prayers and kind thoughts. I really could feel them.