We never stop wanting our mothers. That is probably our first and last longing. When I cared for patients in times of pain and need, they often called out for their mother’s comfort. We want out mothers when we are giving birth, traumatized by pain or events, and at the moment of death. Many times I have held the hand of elderly patients whose mothers had to have been long dead and had the patient call me “Mother.” I never corrected them. Who am I to say it wasn’t their mother they saw as they moved on.
I’ve been missing your posts! Admittedly, I have been in a bit of a hiatus with reading blogs. Hope all is well with you
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I have been AWOL. I have to get back.
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Ass long as you’re OK. I’ve been AWOL’ish myself 🤣🤣
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Thanks for checking.
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You were Mother, present and comforting, as they took their last breaths. Thank you for heeding that calling.
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I hope someone is there for me when I yearn for my mother.
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In her last year, my mother often called me “Mommy”.
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I’ll bet you looked like her mother.
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Did you look like her mother%?
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Yes, very much and I was amicable like her. Mom, who suffered mentally, used to resent my likeness to her mom. She couldn’t understand why we could be so “happy”.
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You were both blessed and a blessing.
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There is that special bond with one’s mother. Mine has been gone a long time now and I am pushing 79 but still think of our once a week Sunday morning chats. I would always call her on a Sunday morning and we would chat about nothing in particular. Just a son and his mother chatting to stay in touch. Great post. Thank you. Irwin
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I know those calls meant the world to her. My mother is ninety-one. I call every morning and am always so relieved when she answers.
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👍
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That is poignant. My mother is still alive, but I had this vivid dream recently of being in an earthquake at the house I was born in and calling for my mother to help me ( in the dream I was still adult me! ) – in reality I would have to help her 93 year old self.
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In our hearts, Mother doesn’t change.
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Reblogged this on Nutsrok.
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Thanks so much!
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Beautiful and touching post Linda. Thank you for putting this into words.
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This short post says so very much. I know your heart and it is good. You have my deepest admiration. I was with my mother and second mother in law when they left us. My mother was not capable of loving us but no matter, I loved her anyway. I’ve searched out mother figures my whole life but there was no one to fill in for me. It made me want to be the best mother ever and the best daughter I could be. Walking anyone through the final journey is a sacred undertaking. May we all do it as well as you have.
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It was a precious honor. Thanks. Your mother must have had a disturbed mind not to love you.
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She was raised in Germany during Hitlers reign. It was not pleasant and they learned to have no emotion or warmth.
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I am glad you aren’t that way. So much evil was done then.
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So very special 🙂
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Miss My Mom Mable Elizabeth Palmer every day. When she died a part of me died also and that emptiness can never be filled. Here’s a song for Moms.
Intruders – I’ll Always Love My Mama
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Thanks for this. I saw your mom’s pictures. She was lovely.
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My mother and I don’t get along.. she thinks that I was her accident with my dad. I don’t want my mother … I want my dad.
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I am glad you have someone to feel close to. I didn’t have that warmth with my dad. I always yearned for his love and approval.
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I know. I love my dad. 🙂
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You had the perfect job, Linda! Your patients were fortunate to have you around in their last moments. 💖
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It is a holy thing to be able to share that with a person. So many people are isolated in illness and death.
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Yes, those moments are truly sacred. Being there for someone and giving them the feeling of not being alone in that moment is an honor and a gift.
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for both.
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Yes, for both!
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I loved my patients and am sure most good nurses do!
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I believe so! Because becoming a nurse is not only a job. It is a call!
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I agree that we never stop wanting our mothers no matter what age we are. Nothing is more special like “a mothers love”!
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I agree!
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That is so true. We’re never too old to want our mommies.
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Even flawed love arises from a pure place.
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I have also come across that Linda, with elderly patients. I like to think that their mum’s came to help them along their new journey.
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I know our loved ones greet us.
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🙂
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Despite our very stormy relationship I was so glad i was with my mum when she died.
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I am glad too. Most people are greeted with joy at birth to be isolated at death. We need to be with them.
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I would imagine that happens a lot – people crying out for their mother. Whether they are old or young we see our mothers (most of us) as nurturing and unconditional love. I think it is wonderful that you understood your patients as seeing their mother instead of you while they passed on.
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I would have never denied them. It would have felt wrong.
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I understand completely.
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…and I am surprised and stirred on those random occasions when I walk by a glass storefront or glance into a mirror and “my mother” looks back at me.
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So true! I just read a blog a few minutes ago and the young girl was in so much emotional pain over losing hers recently. I know my mother often thought I was her mother toward the end. I too, didn’t tell her different.
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You were so right!
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