Thank you all for your support
 

I didn't want the Werewolf thread to get too bogged down with it, so I just want to say here: thanks to everyone for their kind thoughts and words regarding the death of my mother.

I am doing okay, we were estranged for many years due to a host of issues (as was the case with most everyone else in her life, sadly) but things had eased up as her health went into rapid decline over the past six months. It is still difficult to deal with, in some ways maybe more so because of that. It's hard to grieve the loss of the kind of relationship you never really had, especially when you've long since made your peace with that fact - but there's also the part where you know there will never ever be any chance to have it. C'est la vie, I guess.

She got very good care during that time both from the wonderful people who work for the local hospice program and from one of my aunts and her daughter, who fortunately were available and willing to take extended turns as daily caregivers so she always had someone around that she recognized as family. They all made it possible for her to spend the time she had left in her own home and not in a hospital or nursing home.

In the end both my sister and I got to spend some "quality time" with her within a few hours of her passing overnight, and even though she couldn't say anything we are certain she knew who we were and that we were there with her. We are immensely grateful for whatever extra measure of peace that may have given her in her final hours. She seemed to have made her mind up several days ago that she was "done" and went quietly in her sleep; something else for which to be thankful.

Again, thanks so much, your support is very much appreciated, more so than words can ever express. As I mentioned to someone privately earlier today, it turned out to be a good week to stock up on the Beethoven. So now I will turn again to the marvelous Ninth, one of my happiest of happy places (even in moments such as these), and maybe have a good solid cry somewhere around the middle of the third movement. The maestro will be there at the end to remind me, as he always does, that happiness and sadness may come and go, but the joy he celebrates is always with us.

Froh, froh! Wie seine Sonnen fliegen
durch des Himmels prächt'gen Plan,
laufet, Brüder, eure Bahn,
freudig, wie ein Held zum Siegen.

Seid umschlungen, Millionen!
Diesen Kuss der ganzen Welt!

Gladly - gladly! Like his suns fly
through the heavens' glorious map,
run your course, brothers,
joyfully, like a hero to victory.

Be embraced, you millions!
This kiss to the whole world!

My sincere condolences to you and your family Frau.

You have my sympathy. Losing any family member is never easy, no matter how it had been. My condolences to you and your family.

Over the river they beckon to me,
Loved ones who've crossed to the farther side,
The gleam of their snowy robes I see,
But their voices are lost in the dashing tide.

http://zompus.com/wallpaper/preview/dashing-tide.jpg

My deepest condolences on your loss Frau. :cry:

Very sad to hear of your loss Frau, please accept my condolences, hopefully you have close friends there to comfort you.:cry:
All the best.:oops:
Reece.

My condolences.

FK, I've seen you posting here for quite awhile, and while I may have indirectly replied to a few of your messages I never wrote you personally.

I want to say I'm sorry for your loss, and I'll be thinking of you and your family for the next few days. I can't imagine what you're going through losing your mother, but I'm here for a shoulder.

My condolences, and God bless.

I'm sorry for your loss. Take care.

I didn't get along very well with my mother either, she's pretty stressful and is a three-time divorcee, but I still love her and respect all the effort she's put into making me come out as well as I have. I'm always worried she'll die before I get a chance to make peace with her. :(

I'm sorry for your loss, frau, but it's so nice that she was in good care and in good company before she went.

I'm sorry for your loss Frau Kaleun. My thoughts are with you.

I too, am sorry for your loss.

Very sad. I hope your mother died with some dignity and little pain.

My Condolences and best wishes to you and your loved ones in this time of Sorrow and Distress.

My condolences and hang in there.