Her Last Wish, My Final Goodbye

Hello Friends,

It’s been a challenging time since my last post, and I wanted to share something deeply personal with you. I recently brought my mom home from the hospice facility. It was her heartfelt wish to pass away at home, surrounded by the comfort of her space and family. Although we didn’t know how much time we had left, we honored her request.

We set up a hospital bed in her living room so she could enjoy the big TV and have plenty of space for family to gather. She seemed so happy to be home, even in that hospital bed. Sometimes, she’d tell me she went to her own bed and slept like a baby. The truth is, she couldn’t roll over on her own, much less get up and walk to her bed—but I didn’t correct her. I just went along with it.

One afternoon, my cousin visited to spend time with her and give me a much-needed break. I had been feeling under the weather with fever and heavy congestion, and despite trying to keep up with my self-care, I was completely worn down.

The next morning, I walked down to her house to check on her, only to find her with dried residue all over her chin, neck, and shoulders. My heart sank. I had no idea what had happened. Was it a stroke? Had she been sick in the night? I was scared and overwhelmed. She was different.

After cleaning her up, I sat with her, asking gently if she was in pain, if she was comfortable. She smiled at me — a beautiful, content smile — and her eyes were filled with so much love. For a moment, everything felt okay. We had a good day together.

The hospice nurse arrived in the early afternoon, and as we got to know each other, Mom seemed more at ease and happier than I had seen her in a long time. Even after throwing up again, she smiled and seemed happy. We decided to clean her up and change her gown, but as we started, her condition suddenly declined.

I stopped everything and held her close—one arm around her, stroking her head and neck, while my other hand held a towel under her chin and mouth. At 2:23 PM, she took her last breath in my arms.

I was beyond devastated, yet I felt an odd sense of peace knowing she got her wish. She passed away at home, just as she wanted, surrounded by love. I’ll never forget the warmth of her smiles that day or the love in her eyes.

Now, I find myself cycling between waves of sadness and a surreal sense of disbelief. It’s hard to comprehend that she’s really gone, but I hold on to the blessing of those final moments we shared.

Thank you for being here and allowing me to share this deeply personal part of my life. Your support means the world to me.

Be happy, healthy and safe!