1/27/10

Goodbye

Life goes in cycles.  There are times when every weekend a wedding is scheduled.  Then comes times where babies are born.  And then there are times when you have to spend more time than you prefer at funerals. 

And that time is now for my family.



Oma was sick for so long and hasn't recognized anyone for about two years now.  She left mentally/emotionally years ago.  Oma passed away last week - she can finally rest and we had the chance to actually mourn her passing.  It felt like she passed years ago but it was impossible to say goodbye to her until she physically passed. A very smart lady and my grandfather, Opa, loved her every day of their 40 year marriage. 

Oma's memorial service was Monday afternoon.




Opa passed away Tuesday morning.  He has struggled with cancer for about ten years (or more).  

Less than two weeks ago when Oma died, I went with my dad to tell his father (Opa is my dad's father - Oma is his step-mother) and Opa, while unable to get out of bed, was able to eat a sandwich on his own and hold a conversation.  Monday afternoon he was unable to speak a complete sentence.  He was clearly dying.  He has been sick for such a long time but it wasnt until he knew about Oma's death that he allowed himself to start the process of dying.  


He saw his entire family on Monday.  He knew Oma was at peace.  All his jobs on earth were done and he could let himself be at peace as well. 


We love you Oma and Opa.  We have so many great memories of you (did you realize that you wore the same outfits to Grace's baptism and Meg's wedding a year apart!?!?)  and, even in your deaths, showed us what devotion and love you had for each other and your family. 

2 comments:

David Clark said...

So sorry Jaime

laura said...

thinking of you and your family with lots of love!