Saying goodbye...

After returning from our trip, I discovered my momma was very ill. A year ago she had a heart attack and bypass surgery. Since then, she has struggled to recover, spending more time in rehab and the hospital than in her apartment.

Mom has developed large tumors in her abdomen. While they are non-cancerous, they are growing and inoperable due to her weak heart. My sister, wanting to spare our vacation, carried this knowledge until we returned.

After much discussion with mom, while she's still lucid and making her own discussions, she has decided to go into hospice. She wants to be kept out of pain as much as possible.

A year ago I held her hand as she endured a risky bypass. Today I hold her hand to say goodbye.