Mom passed last night, knowing she was loved.
Thanks most to Anna, Patrick, and Sean. Momma moved here nine years ago to a few miles from them. In the last three years the caretaking ramped up rather dramatically, the Murphys were here for every moment of it. Mom always expressed how grateful she was ("godsend"). She never doubted how well she was loved, and Anna, Patrick, and Sean were the foundation of that. Sean and mom had a wonderful, close, and very loving relationship. He is an excellent grandson, couldn't ask for anything more. Exemplary.
The Murphys' support teams deserve tremendous credit (because they're all still (mostly) sane).
The Spies branch of the family tree, of course. Hosting mom multiple times in North Carolina, here often... crappy circumstances, but it was wonderful spending long overdue time with them over the past few months.
Thanks to Leigh for her unwavering support. Dash "brought it" for his trip out here last week - thank you.
Thank you for all the friends and family who kept us sane over the long haul of life, and for your added support during this period. We know we're not alone, we all have been through this or realize that we too soon will.
Though I long thought my life and my mom's life were very very VERY different, the past few years - a gift I'm am very grateful for - has shown me that the arc of our lives were not just similar, but intertwined.
She upturned my world when we met, but our long - almost accidental - journey of redemption, defines who I am perhaps more than any other relationship.
Our story is my story, and i am better for having been her son.