A Devastating Week....

This has been an absolutely devastating week. On Monday night we got some news that completely rocked our world.

My beautiful amazing, adoreable Mum who turned 78 whilst we were down here a couple of weeks earlier was admitted to hospital at the end of last week with what we though was bit of a problem that she has suffered from previously in the past. On Monday night however, I found out that Mum will probably never come home from hospital. She has a very aggressive form of Cancer. To say we were shocked was an understatement.

This photo of my Mum was taken in September last year at my Dad's 80th Birthday. She was healthy and looked great.
Just three and a half months later this photo was taken of my Mum and Dad when we were down holidaying with them a couple of weeks ago.
When we got word on Monday night and I looked at these two photos I was totally shocked at the rapid deterioration of mum and really mad with myself that we did not notice that something was wrong.

We are now back on the coast so that we can spend every bit of time with her we can. She is not aware that she is so sick, she doesn't appear to be in a lot of pain, and although her memory is failing her, and she may not know our names anymore, she recognises us still and her face lights up when we enter the room. She is happy, and we are savouring every spare minute we can with her. Yesterday I took my Camera up to the hospital. I got some precious shots of Mum, they still show the essence of who she is, a woman who never complains, who is aways more concerned about others needs rather than her own, who is always happy, who is a joy to be around, and loves unconditionally, and is loved by all who know her. These following photos are precious.

Each day I have been coming home and jotting down some of the very special treasures and memories that I have from Mum each time I sit with her. I don't ever want to forget, the certain looks, the lovely words, the precious gifts from God in our time of total despair. God is good, he has sustained us this week and blessed us. We have been blessed beyond measure to have this beautiful woman as a Mum. She has loved us and each of our children unconditionally, and she is GREATLY loved and adored by her three daughters, her three son in laws, and her thirteen grandchildren and four great grandchildren. God could not have blessed us more.

It has been so special to sit with her grandchildren this week and hear their stories of their memories of Grandma, and each of them have said that if they could be like anyone they would love to be like Grandma. What a wonderful role model.

I know the next couple of weeks are going to be difficult, but I choose each day to praise my heavenly Father for the precious gift of my Mum, and each day I chose to hold those memories of her love dearly in my heart.

I found this quote this morning. It really spoke to me.... it seemed to help me today. I want to record it so that I remember it.

Life Happens but Love helps......

It has helped today.... Life Does happen. We don't always like it, it brings pain and heartache. Love does help. The love I see in my Mum's eyes, the love I see in our family, the love between my parents. the love between the cousins... it is all helping today.