Veronica A. Lynch

Veronica A. Lynch

born: 7/21/1930

died: 12/22/2008



Mother is the name for God in the lips and hearts of little children. ~William Makepeace Thackeray

Atlantic City

Now our luck may have died and our love may be cold
But with you forever I'll stay
We're goin out where the sand is turnin to gold
Put on your stockins baby, `cause the nights getting cold
And maybe everything dies, baby, thats a fact
But maybe everything that dies someday comes back

Put your makeup on, fix your hair up pretty
And meet me tonight in Atlantic City.

Bruce Springsteen "Atlantic City"

Tangerines and Snow

The weather has been, for California, frightful the last couple of days. The snow level was down to a few thousand feet, which led to some nice views outside of Mom's window, which she still seems to enjoy taking in.

She also noticed the tangerine tree across the street, in the neighbor's yard. They are, like the oranges on the tree in Mom's front yard, not ripe yet. But Mom could smell them through the open window last week and wanted some, which we gave her in a very small amount as that was all she would eat.

Wanted to include a photo with snow in the backround, yes it does happen here, but as I always say, I like to be able to GO to snow, I don't like it to come to me.

I've also included another shot to prove, that yes, FALL also happens here, at least in mom's town of Arcadia, which is older and planted with non-California trees. I liked the juxtaposition of the fall colors with the orange and palm trees. Mom has loved living here.

Feisty

It's the word we use to describe Mom when she is being a little "unpleasant" towards us.

It's quite a joke, but it could certainly describe the way she has faced her final journey. Using words like "hard" or "tough" don't really seem to fit her. But, as we have just learned from our latest visit from our hospice nurse, she is still fighting in a way we can't really grasp. The nurse is shocked at the strength of her pulse and the fact that she is still able to communicate with us. (She can still smile and tell us she loves us, which is a beautiful thing to hear)

Roni is here with us again, and we are all visiting as much as possible, and Pattie and Kathi are staying with her full time.

Please keep her in your prayers.

4th and Wesley

And update as of December 11th.

Mom has stopped eating and taking medication. We weren't sure if this was a temporary thing but she hasn't eaten anything for a number of days now. She can still recognize us and she doesn't appear to be in much pain which is our biggest hope now.

Please include her (and us) in your thoughts and prayers.


Peace,

Matthew

Thanksgiving

We were all very thankful to have Mom share another one with us. She wasn't awake much, but did ask if the Lions finally got a win. (Unlike everyone besides Dennis and I, she remembered that the Detroit Lions play every Thanksgiving)

We had to forego the usual giant production, and just all gathered together and ate fake turkey sandwiches with LOTS of pumpkin and apple pie. That might sound odd, but trust me , it was a fantastic day.

It reminded me of a comment by the singer/songwriter Warren Zevon, who recorded a final album and toured while dying of lung cancer. When asked by talk show host David Letterman what he had learned during the process he said "...how much you're supposed to enjoy every sandwich"

Enjoy every sandwich.

Indeed.

Mom's Fort

Mom has taken to relaxing and napping on her outdoor swing. We set up a sheet to block the bright sun (to our suffering blog readers in winter states, yes, it's still a little hot out here in the afternoons)

It reminded me of the little forts kids like to set up. Mom is back out there after the smoke from all the fires has dissipated.

Eileen has hired a nurse to come help Pattie during the week, the rest of us visit most days and we try to switch off during the weekend to give Pattie a break. Roni was out last week and we all fought over her cookies and treats.

It looks like Mom will make Thanksgiving, which we are all happy about, Christmas and the New Year may be a bridge too far, and although we've been blessed greatly so much as it is, we can't help but be a little greedy.


Love to all,


matthew