A sad day...

The Final Flight

Don't grieve for me, for now I'm free, I'm following the path God laid for me.
I took his hand when I heard his call, I turned my back and left it all.
I could not stay another day, To laugh, to love, to work, to play.
Tasks left undone must stay that way, I've found that peace at the end of the day.
If my parting has left a void, Then fill it with remembered joy.
A friendship shared, a laugh, a kiss, Ah, yes, these things too I will miss.
Be not burdened with times of sorrow, I wish you the sunshine of tomorrow.
My Life's been full, I savoured much, Good friends, good times, a loved one' touch.
Perhaps my time seemed all too brief, Don't lengthen it now with undue grief.
Lift up your heart and share with me, God wanted me now, He set me free.

Sadly my mum passed away last night,  while I am sad I also feel relief that she is no longer in pain,  and has no need to face any more long days.   I felt numb for a while,  the paramedics and then the police were very kind and thoughtful.  As was the young man who took my call to the out of hours service,  as he finished the call he said how sorry he was and to take care.  I'm not ashamed to say that the tears have been falling on and off all day.   This afternoon I tidied her bedroom, I picked up the duvet and could still smell her, so I wrapped it around me,  I felt she was there with me.  She'd had a miserable five years,  with her health steadily declining, the loss of two close friends hit her hard, that was when she saw no point in going on.   She was proud to see three of her grandchildren get married,  and thrilled to be a great granny to two Joe and Patrick.   There were things she never did, she couldn't ride a bike, and she never learned to swim,  but she took joy from life,  was rarely without a smile.   She never once uttered the words 'I told you so',   rather she let us make our mistakes,  how it must have hurt her to watch,  yet she was there to help us get back on our feet, or mend our wounded hearts.   She was a wise woman,  she'll be missed by all who knew her.  

God bless you Mum, now you can be at peace and with those you had to say goodbye to.