My mom passed away last Thursday. It was not unexpected and yet...in some ways it's never expected. I was home last summer to help out as my two sisters who live nearby had been caring for mom 24/7 for about 6 months. I stayed with her about 10 days, with Paul there for part of the time. We talked about what the future might hold and that we were quite certain this would be the last time we saw each other in person on this earth.
As I reflect on that time, I'm thankful that I could be there to help her, cook for her (at least some...) and share her bedtime devotions. I'm thankful Paul could be there because she always enjoyed talking with him - and he and I were able to get her out in the car one night for a trip to the Dairy Queen. That was in late June and, by early August, she decided along with my sisters that she needed to move into an assisted care situation. That was a hard decision for all of them, but it's what needed to happen.
For a variety of reasons, she moved into a home in Beresford, SD where one sister lives. She still was able to have lots of visitors and the family who lived close was there virtually every day. She seemed to do okay until the last few days when she pretty much stopped eating and communicating.
It's hard to be far away when you lose a loved one. You wish you could have had that one more time just to look on their face, hold their hand or say "I love you." But it's also hard to be close by - to be needed at inconvenient times, to have your loved one forget who you are or be cranky when you visit...to watch someone you love drift away physically and mentally....
I am so thankful for my sisters who cared for mom so faithfully when I was far away. And I'm thankful we will be able to go home and celebrate her life with friends and other family. Paul will officiate at the service as that was one very specific request mom left. We leave here tomorrow morning (Thursday) and arrive into Minneapolis just before 1pm (thanks to the time change - it's really a 14+ hour trip.) Sarah will drive us to Sioux Falls where we'll stay in the house I grew up in and that mom lived in for almost 70 years. I'm sure it will feel different....
While we grieve, we also celebrate because mom had the hope of a life forever with Jesus. While we mourn, she is rejoicing and free from pain.
For those of you who'd like to read more about mom (Marion Roos) and/or remember her from some contacts through the years, here is the link to the obituary and service information https://www.millerfh.com/obituary/marion-roos
Thank you for your prayers for and encouragement to us and our family at this time!
With love, Kathy
If you are interested in giving to our work in Bulgaria, and Paul's consulting in Africa and beyond, gifts can be given online at Global Horizons/Emmaus Assoc or mailed to Global Horizons, P.O. Box 856678, Minneapolis, MN 55485-6678. Please attach a note indicating Emmaus. Thank you!
