The Dreaded Call

You know what call I am talking about. The one that you know is coming and every time the phone rings you jump a little. The one that you think if you do not answer the phone than it never happened. I received that dreaded call today.

My phone rang about 12:00 noon and I saw it was my mom. I figured it was another status update on Chris, but I was wrong. I could tell by the way that my mom said my name, that something was wrong. Seriously wrong. The Doctor had been in and Chris' daughter Summer, had made the decision to take him off the oxygen and feeding so that it would speed up the process of him passing. I couldn't even begin to imagine having to make a decision like that. My heart broke for her. My mom than began to tell me that the process of his passing could take from one hour to many hours. They just don't know. My mom then told me she needed me to come and she began to sob uncontrollably.

I began to fall apart, but I knew I needed to pull myself together. My mom needed me more than anything right now and I had to be strong for her.

When I finally got to the facility, my mom was like a lost soul. It was so sad to see this vibrant, happy go lucky person turn into this shell of a person. She came to me and almost collapsed in my arms. She than began to sob. I started to hold her close and stroke her hair. I remember her doing that to me when I was younger. I felt like the roles had been reversed. I was the parent and she was my child. I wanted to protect her and shield her from and hurt, but it was too late. The realization had set in. This is the end. Chris wasn't going to wake up.

The immediate family went into his room to be with him for his final hours. His pulse and heart began to slow and within a short period of time he was gone. Just like that, his struggle had ended. It was peaceful and he took his last breath with those he loved most by his side.

Now I am home and I am scared. I am scared for my lost soul of a mom. She is drowning in pain and regret. She blames herself.... "You know this would have never happened if he wasn't on his way to see me" she says.