Sad Turn of Events

It's a sad day for Garfield the cat. His biggest fan is gone from this earth. And we're pretty sad, too.

Jim's mom loved all cats – but especially Garfield. She's collected various knickknacks with his likeness over the years and I always think of her when there's a rare sighting of the old comic strip cat. Now we'll think of her even more.

My mother-in-law passed away around 3:30 this morning. A week ago this would have been a shock. But there was a quick turn of events late last week that changed everything. 

On Wednesday night after dinner, she collapsed at the memory care facility she's been staying at for the past several weeks. She was rushed to the hospital, where she stayed in ICU until Saturday. During that time, opinions varied on whether she had a heart attack or mild stroke or both. Regardless, it hit her fragile 83-year-old body pretty hard. There was no possibility of recovery so they moved her into hospice care by Saturday afternoon.

Since both Jim and I have had aunts last weeks upon weeks in hospice, we – or at least I – was thinking much longer than the reality of just 36 hours. I know from watching my dad die that even though I got the opportunity to say goodbye, it doesn't lessen the pain any more once your parent is gone.

It's heartbreaking for Jim and his sister Sherry and especially their dad. My in-laws marked 60 years of marriage in September. That's a lot of time to love someone. Dearly!

We'll miss her and the grandsons will her, too. I hope heaven plays Neil Diamond (also her favorite), has plenty of kitties to cuddle, and the slot machines are loose! And if she can hang out with The Golden Girls, even better!

Rest in peace, Donna Mae!