Cody Updates by Mom

This week has been a very tough week.  Tuesday evening around 11:30PM my mother-in-law went to heaven.  She had battled Alzheimer’s for so many years and her body finally decided that it was time to go home.  Even though it is a very sad time, we are relieved that she is finally free of this horrible disease.  I promise to not use swear words but I will say that this disease is one of the worst things that can happen to a loved one.  To watch Jim as he comforted her when she was calling out for her mommy and daddy was heartbreaking.  She was a child that didn’t understand and all he could do was tell her that he loved her and he was there.

Today we spent the day getting all of Jim’s mothers things out of the room at the memory care center.  As we packed up and moved her belongings out, the staff stopped in to say their condolences.  Over the last week, as her health was declining and we could see the end was near, the staff went out of their way to ensure that we had everything we needed.  I want to say that the people that work at the White Pine Memory Care Center in Cottage Grove are very good people.  They truly cared for her.  As each person came to talk to us, they share the thing they loved the most about Marge and it was evident that they did truly care.  They shared how she lit up when they told her she was pretty.  How she caused havoc with random hangers that she carried around.  How they were sad that she was gone.  Today, one of the staff told me that they wanted to adopt her.  Each one had something so very beautiful to say.

There is such a value to finding those people that care that deeply.  Their job is so very difficult as they deal with those that can no longer care for themselves.  We are so grateful that we have had this type of care for her.  She never had to go to a nursing home.  In the end, she died with dignity.

So now we are on to the next things on the list.  It is an ever growing list of things that need to be completed and dealt with.  Most of it, I am able to help with however some things just have to be done by the next of kin.  My job is to be the solid foundation for Jim to land, make sure he is eating and sleeping so he doesn’t get sick and help remove those little things that I can do.  We are mentally, emotionally and physically exhausted but we continue to push forward.

My break is now done and time to go help with the list and ensure that someone is stopping to eat dinner (even if I have to force it).