Chapters of my life

Goodbye My Angel

A few months after Celest's 3rd birthday I got a call that Marlene had been emitted to hospice and probably had 2 to 3 weeks left to live. So, I rust straight out of the office leaving most of my work unfinished on my desk. I jumped onto my motorcycle flicking my helmet on and putting Alexander's helmet in the back. It took less than a 1 hour to get to his school. 

In my leather jacket and black boots, I walked straight down the hall took a right and knocked on his door. Alexander must have noticed to worry look I had on my face because he collected all his work and grabbed his bag. We jumped on my bike and drove off to hospice. When we arrived Leo and Celest were in the waiting room and we all went into Marlene's room. 

She laid weak and fragile in her bed. Her grey hair was brushed back over her pillow making her body look weakened. Celest made Leo lift her up onto the side of Marlene's and Alexander took a chair to her side and held her hand. She woke up and had a weak smile on her face. We spent rest of the day with her and late into the night. By the time of the morning we had to say our goodbyes. She passed in her sleep with all of us by her side. I think she knew it was time to let go. God had finally taken one of his angels home. The ride home was silent and lonely. We walked in the front door when it finally hit me that I would never see Marlene again. Leo and I sat in silence on the couch with Alexander and Celest slept in their rooms. I only cried a single tear that day. 

A few weeks after Marlene left us, we finished planning her funeral. We were going to place her to rest at the cemetery near us so we could visit her and move her husband next to her. The sun shined so bright the day we said goodbye. The angels up in heaven must have been happy to have one of their own back. Alexander and Celest carefully placed a bouquet of lilies on her grave before running into my arms crying. That day I realized funerals aren't for the dead but for the living to grieve and recognize their loss. The rest of the day we did Marlene's favorite things like going to the park and playing with the kids. My family's mental health took a heavy hit with the loss of Marlene but thanks to the support of our friends around us. For months after that we would visit and place fresh lilies.