I have a sister Katie,
A sister Cindy,
A sister Claire,
A sister Karen,
A sister Connie,
A brother Jim and a brother John.
And we actually rehearsed what we wanted to say was all written out.
It was at night,
Still cold December night.
My mother was not speaking.
I don't know whether it was because she couldn't speak or because she didn't want to.
My aunt Barbara was there.
My aunt who is the nurse who is taking care of her and helping us to be with our mother and say goodbye.
We all gathered in her room,
Around her bed.
It was the last time we would ever speak to our mother and we needed to say goodbye,
All of us,
All of us together.
And so we did.
And Katie said,
You told us you loved us often.
We didn't believe you.
Karen you sacrificed so much for our wellbeing and our happiness.
We thought it was your duty.
Cindy,
We complained to you.
We complained about you.
You were always on our minds.
John,
Now we want you to know that your love and your sacrifice has made a difference in our lives.
Jim,
We love you for it and do not want you to sacrifice anymore.
No more guilt,
No more pain.
Me,
Colleen,
We release you with all of the love that you have shown us.
We forgive you and pray that you can forgive us.
Claire,
Be at peace mom.
Let go and let God.
Your fight is over.
Thank you for being our mother.
And all of us together,
We love you.
At that moment she raised her arms and she grabbed a hold of my sister Connie and my brother John.
And finally she spoke to us and she said,
I love my family so much.
And she wanted to say a prayer and so we did.
