One of four children, her parents died before the age of sixty from massive heart attacks. Her two sisters did the same; as did her brother. She buried her youngest sister on her own birthday and did the same with her only son, who died at fifty-one, also from a heart attack. Her husband died at seventy-three, from complications following open heart surgery. She defied familial medical history and lived to eighty-one, her own heart having been broken many times. She was my mother.
When they called, I rushed to her side. Congestive heart failure finally took its toll. “We’d like to operate,” the doctor said. She quietly shook her head. “I’m so tired, Lillian.” I held her hand and she smiled. But that smile was the last smile to come upon her face. I whispered, “Go and find dad, mom.” And she did.
Written for Prosery Monday at dVerse, the virtual pub for poets around the globe. Today Lisa asks us to use the line, “But that smile was the last smile to come upon her face” in a piece of prose, no more than 144 words in length, sans title. The line is from the poem Ballad of Birmingham, written in 1968 by Dudley Randall. My mother, Helen Cecile Petitclair Gruenwald died in 1998. I had the privilege of being at her side as she transitioned to another world. I remember it clearly.
lillian the home poet 
This is a poignant piece about your mother, Lill. So much tragedy and sorrow for one person. Hugs.
LikeLike
Thank you, Kim.
LikeLiked by 1 person
A personal sadness, so tenderly related.
LikeLike
Thank you, Jane.
LikeLiked by 1 person
What a lot of tragedies for one life, Lillian! Yet she bore it all and left you her legacy of love and grit. A beautiful tribute, tenderly written.
LikeLike
Thank you for your kind words, Dora.
LikeLike
Such a sad line of heartbreaks… it takes its toll, and it was time to let go, so very poignant.
LikeLike
Thank you, Bjorn.
LikeLike
A bittersweet crafted tale. Luv the way you ended it.
Happy you dropped by my blog
Much♡love
LikeLike
Thank you, Gillena.
LikeLike
So poignant, Lillian. Thank you for sharing this personal story with us. 💙 You were indeed fortunate to be with her. My sisters and I were with my dad when he died, but Covid meant my mom died without any of us.
LikeLike
Only one instance of the horror and heartlessness of Covid. I am so sorry, Merril. Sending hugs your way.
LikeLiked by 1 person
💙
LikeLike
From your heart …. a poignant retelling of your Mother’s journey home. And beautiful, Lillian.
LikeLike
Your mom had more than her fair share of loss along the way. Thank goodness you were able to be there with her at the end {{{HUGS}}}
LikeLike
A sad but beautiful tribute to your strong mom! Well done.
LikeLike
Beautifully told. So much to live through but what really comes through is love.
LikeLike
Lillian, this is a touching tribute to your mother, elegantly capturing the poignant moments of her life and the tender final moments you shared. Your narrative conveys the depth of love, loss, and the bittersweet beauty in letting go.
Much love,
David
LikeLike
Such a tender piece Lillian ❤️
LikeLike
I remember Mom telling me the same thing. And me, her healthcare proxy, telling her pulmonologist that she would not be intubated another time.
Your heartrending story strikes home, Lillian. Brava!
LikeLike