I just recieved the call i've been dreading all week. My stepmother passed away in the night at he Pilgrims hospice in Thanet. I don't have the full details yet, but I assume it was the cancer that had spread from her lung to her throat that killed her.
Even with months of notice, and being told by the doctors this week that she only had a few days left I don't think my father was really ready for it. I have a feeling he will be lost without her.
At least Denise had a few years of retirement to enjoy and was dosed to the eyeballs at the end.
I hope this is the last death we have to face in the family in this grim and terrible year.
R.I.P. Denise Rye
Dem feels.
I went through this in 2009. I can suggest only one thing:
Plow through this holiday season. Cook, set the table, decorate, force the festive. If you want to see it as healing, fine. If you want to think you're making her proud, good. But I found doing so made me feel like I had enjoyed the good times and there was indeed cause for celebration. In America, I gave thanks and enjoyed Christmas, even hanging ornaments while sobbing.
Force the festive. It's a good thing. Peace be with you.
Hal