Jul 24<\/p>\n
A year ago today, Pankaj arrived sometime after 3 am. He flew from Buffalo through Charlotte, NC to Greensboro, NC. He then rented a car and drove two hours in the dark, on back country roads to get here. I think he stayed up with Mary while I got some sleep.<\/p>\n
Mary woke up to recognize Pankaj with a smile. Mary\u2019s mom called during the day and Mary just listened to her voice without responding. That was the last time she talked to her mom.<\/p>\n
Mary L. thinks it was today that Mary opened her eyes when I gave her a syringe of morphine under her tongue to say; I love you. Thank you. Those were the last words Mary spoke.<\/p>\n
Pankaj, Mary, and I sat around Mary and talked most of the day.\u00a0 Hospice came and bathed Mary. She responded very little other than the discomfort of being moved. I made sure we gave her meds before and after. She was resting peacefully throughout the day. I read her favorite book to her, Oh, the Places You\u2019ll Go!<\/p>\n
Pankaj and I talked about our lives and times with Mary. Pankaj slept for a while and then Mary L. and I put our heads down about 9 pm. I awoke to Pankaj saying, it\u2019s time. I rushed into the bedroom and Mary was taking a few breaths. I cradled her in my arms and just held her. She took her last breath and Pankaj pronounced her passing at 11:15 pm, July 24, 2017.<\/p>\n
Mary was no longer in pain and suffering.<\/p>\n
I sat quietly, holding Mary in my arms. I was speechless. After a moment, Pankaj started saying; Our Father, who art in Heaven. Mary L. and I chimed in as we all held hands and touched Mary.<\/p>\n
We stayed for a few minutes and then began the laborious process of positioning Mary and talking to her.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Jul 24 A year ago today, Pankaj arrived sometime after 3 am. He flew from Buffalo through Charlotte, NC to Greensboro, NC. He then rented a car and drove two hours in the dark, on back country roads to get here. I think he stayed up with Mary while I got some sleep. Mary woke … <\/p>\n