My mother-in-law, Pauline Eichler, died late in the afternoon today. All week we have been at her bedside, watching her final struggle with Parkinson's disease.
In less than five months of this year, Ed and I have lost my Dad and now, his Mom, our two remaining parents. I'm feeling especially motherless and fatherless in these hours after her passing. It's an emptiness, a sharpness, an ache that I will have to deal with in the days and months ahead.
I came home from Wisconsin in May after my Dad's death, wanting to be with my mother-in-law. "She's all we have left, " I told Ed as we headed out on the long drive between Fond du Lac, Wisconsin and Huron County, Michigan, a drive that we have made many, many times in our married life together.
Pauline already was not understanding some things and we are pretty sure that she did not understand that my Dad was gone.
This has been a precious week of waiting and watching with Mom Eichler. Tomorrow will be just another day for most of the world. But for many of us -- children, spouses, siblings, grandchildren, great grands, friends -- it will be the first day without the woman who meant so much to many of us.
The sun will rise in these few days ahead and we will be saying, gently saying, "Goodbye, Mom."
Copyright 2013
Wanda Hayes Eichler
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Beautifully said, Wanda!! Brenda
ReplyDeleteThank you for kind words. WJ
ReplyDeleteMy thoughts are with the entire Eichler family in this time of loss. I've never met such caring generous people and employers in my life. RIP Pauline Eichler. You raised an amazing family that has done tremendous things for the communities and employees lives you've been a part of. I'm thankful for the opportunity to have met you while still in good health and proud to have worked for you and your "boys" for the last 7.5 years. You will be missed by family, friends, employees, and the community.
ReplyDeleteThank you for your kind words, Joyce. It means so much to know that Ed's mom was so loved and respected. Our companies are fortunate to have good people working for good reasons, people like you and many others. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteWJ