Thursday, February 11, 2010

Day 36: The Other Side (l'autre côté)

Hello Dear Friends,
My heart is heavy today, as my youngest sister Martha died this morning very unexpectedly. I had already made arrangements to travel back to CA to see her in the CCU where she was being treated for "blood clots in her lungs and sepsis" (massive inflamatory response of the body).

Two of my sisters drove down from Oregon on Tuesday to see that she received the best of care. They and our brother-in-law who lives nearby were all with her when she slipped away at 4:59 am this morning.

I talked to Martha on the phone Monday and Tuesday from here in France and she was joking and giving out I.love.you.'s up to the last minute. Several workers from the rehab center came over to the hospital to check on her yesterday. They said she was the light of the center while she was there.

My sister Martha was the youngest of ten children, seven girls and three boys, in our Boston Irish Catholic/Bible Belt Baptist clan. She was born with Down's Syndrome and grew up well loved at home in the center of our family.

We will all miss her generous heart, red hair, smiling face, sense of humor, caring touch and prodigious Skip-Bo playing abilities.

Good-night, dear Martha,
sleep well,
may "flights of angels
sing thee to thy rest."

Loving you from the other side,
N2

11 comments:

Bethany said...

Oh gosh, so so sorry.
How startling for you.
Thinking of you and your family. Sending blessings and comfort.
I can't imagine losing a sibling.
Big big hugs dear. If the rest of your family is like you I imagine they are all comforting each other and feeling such sorrow.
You are so thoughtful and sweet and present.
Hope you can find comfort and peace.

Kathleen Scott said...

I'm sorry. You had no time to prepare. Martha sounds like a great and loving sister. I hope in time your memories of her will provide comfort.

N2 said...

Thank you Dears for these kind words. It does help.

x0 N2

Ms. Moon said...

Martha my dear...
A beautiful name for a beautiful sister. I am so sorry. I am so glad she lived a much beloved life with her family and I hope that in her death you can all find comfort from each other, even if far apart, and comfort from sweet memories.
I'm thinking of you.

Kori said...

I read on a friend's blog that you were waiting for the airline to change your ticket again-so I hope by now you are in the air and are on your way. Sending thoughts of peace to you and yours.

SJ said...

Oh my gosh--I hope you made it over there. Love to you, and good thoughts, truly.

What a beautiful tribute you wrote to her--I know she saw it.

Derek said...

Bon Voyage Nancy . . as i write you are winging your way across the Atlantic - hopefully after previous aborted attempts curtailed because of the snowfalls her in France. We do think of you and hope that time will help a little to ease your loss and that memories of your 'other life' here in France will in some small way help you now for we miss you . . .

Laura Paine Carr said...

Aahhh, Dear N2!
You are so loved. There is little to say, right now. It is comforting and wonderful to read the gentle comments. I hold you close to heart, with love and kind energy. You are a wonderful sister, friend, mom, and... soon to be gwamma. Love enfolds you, nourishes, and expresses through you! I look forward to a real hug, soon.
xoxoLC

N2 said...

Dear Ms Moon, Kori, SJ, Derek and LC,
Checking in here, from California now, and finding such comfort in your friendship. Thank you, one and all!
x0x0x0x0x0 N2

SJ said...

You're most welcome--have you made it home yet?

N2 said...

SJ - Thanks for checking back in. Yes, I am on the US side of the great divide busily putting together the funeral and memorial service for Martha My Dear. Hope to post soon.

Much Love to You All!
x0 N2

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