to all you hospice nurses out there. Kudos and much thanks for the work you do, for making my moms last few days comfortable and pain free. I have to share this, because it brought a tear to my eye and a warm smile to my face, all at the same time.

With family around her bed and in the comfort of her home, we watched my mom gasping for breath tonight, even more desparate then yesterday. Even though she hadn't been conscious or lucid since Friday, my sister and I felt she was holding on to see our brother Peter. He couldn't get a flight ouf of Kauii until today, but she heard us talking about him trying to get an earlier connection. We just felt the old bird was going to do whatever she could to hold on to see him.

So in the end with what seemed minutes between breaths, the phone rings and it's my brother on the phone from the airport thousands of miles away. We put the phone to my moms ear and she opens her eyes briefly, smiles as he says goodbye to her and passes on.

It amazes me the power of will and the mind, even against all odds. Yesterday I sat with her and talked for the longest time, only to kiss her finally and say I have to leave and I love you. I thought the I love you too she struggled to give me after nothing was as good as it could get, tonight surpassed that a million fold.

It was a beautiful moment and a wonderful way to end a long life. She deserved it after fighting with pain for so long.

I love you mom.

There are those who tell that a "last breath here, is the first breath, there".
She is in Heaven with the Lord, beyond the pain and suffering of this life.
She raised you folks right, and you can rest assured that the God of Love has already welcomed her to eternity.

Our Prayers are that you and your family will continue to Love her and keep her in your thoughts and hearts as you continue to go forth. May God continue to richly Bless you all.

Bob,

Though Sad, that must have been a very beautiful and loving moment.

Melissa and I will keep you and yours in our prayers as you go through this very emotional time.

If you need anything my friend, I am close by.

Bob...

My sincerest condolences -

God will shine His light upon her and lead her home -

-She's in my prayers tonight-
Gilly-

Hi Bob, my family is sorry to hear of your mom's passing but we all take some comfort in the strength you now show and the strength she passed down to you and your family. Take good care of yourself and of your family and remember the good times and that she is no longer in pain but in a great place.

You and your mom have our thoughts & prayers

I want to thank you for a nice sad sweet post.

Lets go fishing,
mike

Very touching, Bob. That makes me feel sad inside, man. My prayers go to you and your family.

Sorry to hear about your loss Bob :(

Bob ,take care buddy, and dont worry she is going to a better ,more peaceful place....my prayers are with you and the family

Peace be with you and your mum Bob.

My condolences, Bob.

It's okay to grieve and cry, in fact it's good for you for awhile. But after some, let the tears no longer be tears of sorrow, but become tears of joy - the joy of remembering all the great things she brought to you and to this world...:)

Sorry for your loss Your family is our prayers today.

Bob we are sorry for your loss and you will be in our thoughts and prayers.

Bob, terribly sorry for your loss. Thanks for sharing such a sad, yet sweet and private moment with us all, I must admit I am a big cry baby, and your well written words caused me to shed a few tears (don't tell anyone that the BigFish has feelings). My Dad passed away almost 3 years ago Bob, and there has not been a minute pass when I don't miss him, or an hour pass when I don't think of him in some small way. The thing that got me through the tough moments was friends, kind words, and knowing how very fortunate I had been to be blessed at having had the best father on the planet. I don't know you all that well Bob, but I can tell from your words that your Mom must have been quite a fine lady, and a fortunate one at that, to have raised such a caring son. My thoughts are with you Bob. Take it slow and let the great memories of your Mom help you through.;)

My condolences and prayers to you and your family.

sorry to here of your loss GS
we will keep your family in our prayers

Condolences Bob, to you and your family.
Nice post, a tribute to your Mom's spirit.
And, yes, thanks to those hard working nurses that help ease our loved ones passage.

Sorry for your loss Bob.
My condolences, and thank you for sharing your cherished last moments with her.
Makes me/us all reflect on how precious life is.

Bob

Im so sorry to hear about your Mom . She was sick for quite a while but She had the strength to hold on ot say good bye . One of the things most would like to do but dont get the chance . Im glad your Mom did !

Although sad your Mom isnt in anymore pain .

God bless her GS, and all your family.

I can relate to exactly what you are saying, both in terms of those final moments and hanging on till we finish important business. Those final moments are as precious as when we bring a life into this world. And while it is a sad time, there is something comforting, relieving, and even beautiful about letting the spirit fly free at those last moments.

And as for finshing important business, I've seen it too...hanging on till the last of the relatives visited before taking wing.

May your mom rest in peace.

Bob,

I'm very sorry to hear of your Mom's passing. She is in a better place now. Thanks for sharing. It's the friends and family that help us get through.

my thoughts and prayers go out to you and your family, best of wishes and tight lines

BOb, so sorry to hear of your loss =Prayers to you & your family,, ITs hurts now but in time you,ll never forget the last few days with your Mom, and somewhere , some how she will bring a smile to your face//////////
Nows the time you need the water=============better yet alone //////////MIke

Bob, that was a very moving post, sorry for your loss and you have my prayers.

Bob, sorry for your loss.

Sorry for your loss Bob, and thanks for the post. I pulled a "Bigfish". The whole cycle of life saddens me, but also in a post like this you are reminded to make the best of it, and what really counts.
My wife is a nurse and many of her patients are terminally ill, she truly cares for these people. Tell your mom's nurses how you feel - they appreciate it.

Bill

Best wishes to you and your family Bob, especially your brother who was not able to be at her side.

Sorry for your loss.

Bob, sorry for your loss.

Bob,

You have my deepest condolences and thank you for sharing this private moment with us.
At times we take life for granted and this will remind us to take a few steps back to cherish our loved ones even more.

My prayers goes out to you and your family!

Be well and be strong!

"Crazy" Alberto
NonStopFisher@aol.com

I lost my Mom in a similar manner not to long ago and know exactly what you mean ....about the final goodbyes and feelings of the most perfect feeling of " Love " thats almost indescribable. It choked me up to read your post but it also made me remember a most beautiful feeling that you quite accurately fashioned into words.

It will take much time to heal your sadness and all i can say is that the beauty nature bestows on us is the only remedy to compare with that of a mothers Love for her son. I am so sorry for your Loss. i am still remembering things long forgotten and i know you will too over time ,....and in that,..... you will find comfort.

God bless

VB

Bob, sorry to hear of your loss, our prayers got out to you and your family LINK, mrs. LINK, LINK jr.

Sorry to hear the news Bob. Remember the good times my friend.

My thoughts go out to you and all those affected/

Hang in there and remember that moms energy will be with you for the rest of your life :)

Bob,

my condolences to you and I will pray for your mom. God bless you and your family on this day or mourning.

Nils

Bob,

I thought you had a heavy heart on Saturday.

My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family, I am at least glad you were with her to the end.

-Ben

My thoughts and prayer's go out to your mom and family. God bless.

God bless Bubba

Bob,

Thank you for that very moving post. Reminds us all once again what is most important.
My thoughts and prayers are with you my friend. My deepest condolences to you and your family.

Steve

Bob, So sorry to hear of your loss :(
Thoughts and prayers will go out to you and your family in this difficult time.
Thanks for sharing that moment, it is one of THE hardest moments in ones life. I know you will find the strength to guide your family through it. Times will get better, hang in there bud.

Very sorry for your loss Bob. Mom is at rest, in no pain, and in a better place. Our paryers for you and your family.

:( Bob sorry to hear about your loss. I know the pain as I am still greiving over my nephew. May god be with you and your family, she is at peace now in the house of the lord and is no longer suffering. BC and I are praying for you and your family!!! If there is anything we can do, please call.

Very sorry for your loss Bob

Bob,
Thank you or sharing your moms last moments with us. My sincerest condolences.

GS,

I am sorry to hear of your loss. It was a sad, and moving story. Just remember that your Mom loves you, and will always be there looking after you. God Speed through these next few days.

sorry for your loss GS
deepest sympathies & God bless you and your family

Bob,
I'm sorry for your loss. My prayers go out to you and your family.

Thank you all for your kind words, it warms my spirit to hear them, especially from so many of my new friends here at SB. Between the tears are so many smiles, as we sit and remember and rejoice in her life. She was one tough old bird and I can't imagine smiling through what she has gone through over the past six years, but that's exactly what she did. I hope she left some of her strength behind with me.

I feel the need to fish, for it is out on the water that this all makes sense. Funny as I prepare my thoughts and rememberances, it is the love of the ocean I will focus on. For that I owe my parents a huge debt, as they got me into sailing early on in Scituate harbor, first in turnabouts, then Mercurys and finally into my own International 110. They helped and encouraged me to spread my wings and feel the salt spray on my face, as I'd race out of the harbor dancing solo on my trapeze, with only the moon on the horizon to keep me company. So many warm summer nights I can remember fondly, either by myself sailing solo, or listening to the warm conversation and fun around a boat club party.

It's like it happened yesterday:).

Bob,
Deepest Sympathy to you and your family. Those were very moving words. You loved your mom very much and that will live on forever.
God bless.

Very sorry to hear of your moms passing Bob. I'm glad you got to spend such quality time with her at the end.
Mike

I'm sorry to hear this.

Bob, let me know if there is anything I can do for you. If you need to wet a line with a friend, give me a call.

Greg

Bob,
Sorry for your loss. A few prayers for you and your mom.

Bob, So sorry to hear of your loss and a heartfelt "thank you" for sharing with us.

My sympathies and thoughts are with you and your family.

Bob,

My sincerest condolences. May you and your family have the strength to carry on in this difficult time in your lives and may you live long to carry on the memory of your mom who sounds like she was wonderful lady.

Kadir

I am sorry to hear of your loss...You and your family are in my prayers...



Monique

Bob my condolences I went through the same thing with my mom over 20 years ago.