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Most of September I stayed in Florida helping out and spending time with her.  I went home which only lasted a few weeks before I was called back again with her health and mental abilities fading even more.  Like the last time I stayed until responsibilities called me back up north enjoying every moment that she was with us and being nearby when she was out of it.



 Late December I got the call that she was reaching the end of her fight and soon after I was on a plane heading back down to Florida.  The Saturday night before Christmas I kept watch over her and she was awake and able to talk.  She told me that she was tired and ready to leave this life but she was scared to be away from us.  Holding her hand with tears streaming out of my eyes I told her that no matter where she went we would be with her.  After that night she never regained consciousness and passed on Monday morning surrounded by her husband, most of her kids and her nieces.



As I quoted Dr. Seuss a page ago "Sometimes you will never know the value of a moment, until it becomes a memory."  So many of the moments with her at parks that have become memories are some of my most valuable memories.



Theme parks, amusement parks and rollercoasters create so many memories that are valuable.



The value of this trip and the memories that are now flowing through my brains synapses is that it gave me a break from stress knowing that the end for my mother was getting closer with each passing second.  Having the chance to come up for air, take a break and let go a little really refocused me on how she got me to the here and now.



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Copyright 1999 - 2025

Paul B. Drabek


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