We all know that everyone dies. It’s a fact of life.
The fact.
It’s what makes us all human. Mortal. Real.
That doesn’t make its sting any less painful. Any less jarring. It doesn’t stop you from missing someone that you love. It doesn’t make knowing you will never see that joyous loving smile again any easier.
A week ago we went to visit Mike’s grandmother, she was near the end of her days. The entire family knew she would die soon. It was a deathbed visit and we all knew it. On our way to visit her we stopped for flowers. We thought it would be right. The right thing to do to bring her something but anything permanent seemed silly. We let K pick out the flowers. Something for her to do, to be in charge of. She looked at pink roses, peach ones, yellow ones and couldn’t decide between them…
During our visit Mike sat by her bedside holding her hand, K sang and danced for her, I kissed her hand and cheek and told her I loved her. She slept as much as she was awake so we did most of the talking. We thought of the day we were married and talked about my boots. I wore a beautiful white gown but underneath I had huge black boots. Irmgard laughed and clapped her hands when she saw them…
We went back a few days later to visit her and I saw that the flowers were still there, I worried then that the roses would outlast her. I immediately felt guilty for thinking it, for considering her death. For knowing it was almost time. I watched her body strain as it took long hard breaths.
Around 4 in the morning on August 11th Irmgard died in a hospital bed in her daughter’s house. Though I wasn’t there, I can’t help but think that on the dresser sat a vase of roses, pink, peach and yellow.
CamiKaos 
So true, just because it’s a ‘fact’ doesn’t make it any easier to accept. Everyday I still miss Stu’s mom and hate that she’s gone.
I’m sorry for you & your man & your girl; I’m glad you were able to visit and offer her some heartfelt beauty in the last hours.
<3
Ohhhh, I’m so sorry – my thoughts are with all of you.
I’m sorry to hear this. Beautiful words.
So sorry.
I love you and the family and I am thinking of you all.
xoxoxo
I am sorry for your loss, my thoughts are with you, too…
Very well put, we love you.
I’m so sorry. My thoughts are with you all. Her love will live on in you. May her memory be a blessing.
We loved her too. I will miss her welcoming smiles and hugs, and teary ones when it was time to leave. I’ll also miss her “I love You”, when ever I visited her. The world will miss her spirit, I will miss that and the idea that she is just in the next room playing with her beloved grandchildren. My heart is with you, I wish we could be there to honor her, but that can’t be, but my arms are around you in spirit.
What a beautiful way to frame a heart breaking time. And now, whenever you see pink, peach, and yellow roses, you will think of her.
A beautiful and very touching post Cami. My heart goes out to you and yours.