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RIP Mom
by JJ JohnsonRIP Mom
My mother passed away last night. She just turned 80 on February 11th. The last year she has been a blessing for me and likely saved the life she gave to me. I was in terrible dire straits since having a stroke one year ago, the day before her birthday and I was unable to live on my own for quite some time. When the money ran out because I could not work and disability was busy denying me benfits, which I am still fighting for, she gave me a place to live, rent free when I could no longer pay my rent and got booted out by my landlord in Schenectady. So I have been lving here in Saratogae since last March after being released from the hospitol.
I owe her more than I can thank her for. I am sure she has risin to Heaven, or will very shortly, to be with my Dad, who died 4 years ago next week. We thought Mom would hang on to go on the same day, but she was no longer able to breathe and did not want to be kept alive on a resperator. She had been a nurse for many years and took care of many patients under those circumstances and did not want to be an empty shell waiting for others to let her go to Heaven.
Her last day was restful and seemingly without pain or discomfort.
I'm glad I was able to spend this last year with her. It brought us closer than we have been for many years. So while I would never wish others to go through what I have been through from my stroke, in a way it was a blessing in disguise to heal old wounds and give us a chance to help each other out in ways we never did all our lives. The last month was difficult work for me, as I was doing everything for her from feeding her to helping her use the bathroom. That's something I never thought I'd be doing, but she did it for me when I was a baby and she helped me out in so many ways, especially the first few months after the stroke when I was having a hard time just surviving and didn't much care if I did.
So thank you Mom for everything you did for me from before I was born and that you continue to do for me for as long after your death that I live.
Peace and Rest in Peace Mom,
Joseph
02/24/2013 Posted on 02/24/2013
Copyright © 2026 JJ Johnson
| Member Comments on this Poem |
| Posted by Kristina Woodhill on 02/24/13 at 03:48 PM JJ - may your dear mother rest in peace. I loved reading about her and you together and the time your stroke gave you with her. Your caring came through as surely for the reader as it did for her. Blessings. |
| Posted by Clara Mae Gregory on 02/24/13 at 04:20 PM Motherhood is a thankless job....so glad for you to have had the chance to be there for each other when most in need. That is a blessing. I am sorry to hear of her passing and your recent struggles. |
| Posted by Alison McKenzie on 02/24/13 at 05:05 PM I'm so sorry to hear of your loss, Joseph. I didn't realize you'd had a stroke, either. I'll be praying for your peace and your health and your happiness, as I'm sure your new angel is as well. Comfort and solace to you now and as you work through your grief. Love. |
| Posted by George Hoerner on 02/24/13 at 08:19 PM So glad you were able to reconcile with you mother before she died. You still things ahead of you I'm sure so, best with everything in the near future. |
| Posted by Mo Couts on 02/24/13 at 09:30 PM I'm so sorry for your loss and am sending you peace during this rough time. |
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