 After resting comfortably all evening Oma become agitated not long
after I took over from my sister Gaby. We had been a tag team all week, keeping
a 24 hour vigil at Oma's bedside. Now Oma's breathing became more labored and
soon Oma started to moan with each breath. I administered more pain
medication in an effort to make her comfortable again. At first the
morphine did not seem to be having any effect but then mother started
to visibly relax. I was confident enough to start arranging
the pillows on my chair so that I could lay my head beside her right hand
and snooze a bit.
Just as I went to curl up in the chair and lay my head down Oma's breathing stopped. Oma had been practicing lately. A number of times over the last week she had stopped breathing only to start up again after 30 seconds or so. So when she stopped breathing this time I first thought she was practicing again. Looking at her clock I counted the seconds. 20-30-40-60 and another breath... But only one. I found myself counting again still not grasping what was happening. Finally I checked Oma's pulse and there was none. She gave off two tiny little sighs and then she was silent.
As per Oma's request we are planning a going away party on her birthday, April 24th here in her Shambhala. If Oma has touched your heart during her time on earth you are invited to attend. Oma wanted this to be a joyous celebration and has often reminded me that I must wear white to the occasion. To honor this request please wear something white when you come.
On a beam of light, |
At
that moment time stood still for me. The room filled with this incredible
feeling of pure peace. A wave of joy washed over us as the gurgling
struggle for each breath that dominated the night air gave way to the harmonious
strings of Andre Rieu. My mother's dream to go home had come true. She had left
her body here to die, lifted her wings and took to the sky. At two in the
morning, under a full moon, on March 15th, 2006 Oma, my dearest Mütterlein, made her
transition to the other side complete.