Monday, March 28, 2011

Life with Mum and Dad

I haven't been beading much. My mum and dad are getting close to the ends of their time here on this earth and I've been spending as much time as possible with them. Mum had a bad turn a few weeks back and was in a wheelchair for a few days, but she's graduated to a walker now. My sister came from South Africa to spend some time with them, and that has lit a fire under their failing health and they have both brightened considerably.

Mum has terminal lung cancer and COPD and Dad has COPD and Diabetes. We have been asking them endlessly for old family stories and writing them down. My niece brought a digital recorder and recorded some of the stories. The whole family has been gathering - supporting, loving and comforting. I will miss them when they are gone, and I relish this time I have with them now.
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10 comments:

  1. WOLMarch 28, 2011 at 11:23 AM

    You are so wise to hoard this time with them.

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  2. mermaidenMarch 28, 2011 at 12:37 PM

    special moments. what gifts you give one another.

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  3. KathMarch 28, 2011 at 12:42 PM

    A sad time, as you prepare to say Goodbye. How can we do this? it's so hard to know that your precious parents will not be in your life forever. We never think about this when we are growing up and suddenly we are faced with their mortality.
    Sending you much love and please know that people who have never met you, care about you and your family xx

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  4. Spirited EarthMarch 28, 2011 at 12:49 PM

    i've been doing much the same this month with a family member.
    you will never look back and regret time spent this way.

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  5. Pretty ThingsMarch 28, 2011 at 1:45 PM

    What a wonderful thing to do. The digital recorder is a great idea, too.

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  6. RebeccaMarch 28, 2011 at 2:32 PM

    My heart goes out to you and your family....so lovely that you are making the best of it and saving these precious moments and stories.

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  7. MelindaMarch 29, 2011 at 3:16 AM

    It sounds wonderful, all the family gathering around, stories of lives being shared, abundant love. Enjoy what time you have left here together. :)

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  8. KateMarch 29, 2011 at 9:05 AM

    It's such a hard process to go through Cenya, my heart goes out to you all. I was fortunate to do a lot of family research with my father before his death last year, and I now treasure the folder of information we collated together. Every page has a memory - not just of distant relatives I never knew, but also the time I spent with my father as he recalled his childhood and the very many East End relatives who played such a vital part in making him the man he eventually became. You really can't put a price on such things.

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  9. UnknownApril 2, 2011 at 9:13 AM

    Cenya, I've been thinking about you and your mum and dad since we last spoke at bead circle. I'm glad that your family is all together and listening to stories.

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  10. LeanneApril 5, 2011 at 1:06 PM

    sending a hug... Leanne x

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Please weave a web of words for all to see.

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