Mom and Moments

10:32 AM … Monday, January 15, 2018

This was the last moment of my Mom’s life. One year ago, today. It’s hard to believe that it’s already been a year. Such a clear reminder of the speed and fragility of life.

While I very well remember that last moment (and the day before spent with family and waiting for the end), I remember even more the last conversation. It was January 10th, and I was working in Napa, CA and driving to a wine tasting. I was excited to share with Mom that the next day I was going to have lunch with my boyhood idol, Tom Seaver, and Mom was thrilled to hear about it.

Mom had been not doing well for the past month, including being hospitalized with pneumonia the month before. She had done well for a while and then taken a turn for the worse right at the end of the year. In fact, we were worried that she would not get back to health and that the end might be approaching. 

But when I talked to Mom that day she was full of life and said, “I’m finally starting to feel like myself. The people here at the facility told me that they are happy to see me smiling again.” 

I was hopeful about this call and Mom’s health, and it sounded like she was turning the corner. A couple of days later I got the call that Mom had taken a serious downturn (on January 13), was not doing well and was not able to talk on the phone. The next morning (January 14) I got the call that it was time to come – the end was near. Mom took her last breath the next morning, and I’m grateful that I was there to witness it.

I will always remember that last moment and her last breath. I will certainly remember the time spent with family the day before and the days that followed. I will definitely remember the last conversation with Mom. And I will always remember how quickly things changed and the end came – a stunning reminder of the uncertainty of life, the speed of life and the preciousness of every moment in life.

None of us is assured the next moment. All you have is THIS moment, and it’s up to you what you do with it. Thanks for the reminder Mom and I miss you.