January 1 2010

Brad’s mom died a few days ago.  

Brad’s the man that rocks my daughter’s world 

My daughter wasn’t feeling well, I could hear it in her voice when she called to tell me but she was in her car and on her way to Brad’s… close to an hour drive from her home. 

She was crying.  

Crying for her loss because she’d grown to love his mom over the years and crying for Brad and the pain she knew he was feeling.

I’ve only known Brad a short time, maybe a year but in that year I’ve often witnessed his devotion to his mom. 

Jewel was 91 years young in her mind, but old in her body.  

She didn’t walk anymore.  

Brad pushed her in the transport wheel-chair.  

She lived with him.  

He bathed her, clothed her, fed her and kept her comfortable and safe.  

No matter when she needed attention, he was at her beck and call.  

Once a week, up to her very last week he took her to the Casino for dinner and gambling, something she loved.  

She was a sports fan, he took her to games. 

He sometimes sat her beside him when he drove his truck from work-site to work-site just to get her out.

He brought her to family gatherings, made sure she was comfortable and filled her plate with her favorite foods.  

He never complained.  

He told me not too long ago even with her declining condition he loved having her with him and he’d have it no other way.  

She died in her sleep, pain-free thanks to Hospice and medication. 

My daughter’s still ill but when I ask her how she’s feeling, she’s thinking only of Brad. 

At 91, leaving this planet is really no surprise.  

Jewel was ready.  

She’d left sealed notes with instructions to read after she was gone.  

But for Jewel’s family this is a somber, sad time and still too soon for them to say good-bye. 

So often I read words that remind us to treat those we love and care about as if it’s the last time we’ll ever see them.

We should say the things we want to say and give those extra hugs.  

I think Brad did that with his mom.  

And I think that as time passes and he heals he’ll be able to lift his eyes upward on a clear night and see the stars twinkling and know that Jewel is somewhere in time….. maybe pulling that one armed bandit or cheering on her favorite team.