6.30.15 Death

Today my grandmother Lois Corn passed from this earth to the next life.

It's interesting how things work out and God proves his hand in all things. My dad commented he had asked her a while ago how he would know what to do and she told him when the time comes you will be guided and know what to do.

Last week after visiting her on Thursday- it was a good visit, we headed to library and got a flier for a special program today. I thought it looked fun but wasn't super committed. We had some frustration yesterday and thus a cancellation of plans to go to town. We also found many pre-requisites for Harold's upcoming scout camp and we realized we had to go today. I deposited him at an interview with an extension agent to learn about the endangered sage grouse, and got the kids to the library program. I retrieved him and we went on to his first physical. I checked my texts in a quick moment things turned. My dad said at 10:20 that grandma was unresponsive and come if you choose that it was time to release her.

We finished the physical collected books and kids from the library and headed over to her assisted living residence.

After our last visit on Thursday she developed a hernia which was very painful. It was mercifully decided to operated and fix the hernia. She had surgery Friday woke up Saturday. We visited Saturday night, and cried a lot and told her we loved her and it was okay to go. Sunday she was up eating breakfast. She was discharged Monday. Had a nice 2 hours tour of the farms and the crops and had her jello and some ensure last night and went to bed. After a restless night she did tell my mom this morning she wanted to go home. When questioned about which home she indicated her heavenly home. And with that she began to withdraw from this life.

On the way to this new situation, I have never been present or desired to be present for a death, I was very worried about bringing 9 children to such a sacred and possibly difficult event. however there was not time for the hour round trip back home and then to her care facility. I lectured and explained that death is a sacred time calling for reverence and quiet. No running around, slugging, punching, arguing, or noisiness. I explained that angels come to escort people home and we did not want to disturb their presence and we wanted it to be a peaceful experience.

We entered the room and my 2 sisters and 2 brothers were there already, along with 3 nieces and 2 nephews and 1 brother in-law. My sister and her husband are nurses and their tender bedside manner and calm professionalism have been rocks of comfort for all of us involved. My parents were in with my grandmother she was peacefully sleeping.

We came in and I observed. I and some of my children told her of our love for her again. I held her hand and cried. I cried a lot this weekend.

The kids were excellent and quiet. They read, they pushed around in the wheel chair and then watched some television. The room was thick with love, concern, sadness and peace from a life well lived and a person much loved. I personally believe there were many extra spirits there.

My dad, brother Dan and brother in-law Clay gave her a blessing of release. My mom and sister tenderly removed the oxygen hose that was mostly ornamental by this time and we watched her slowly mercifully pass from this life to the next. After about 40 minutes later her heart stopped beating. It was peaceful and beautiful.

I have birthed in hospitals and switched to the less invasive birthing center. The quiet tranquility of that event and this are similar. (Yes there is pain involved in both and some breaks to the quiet but the spirit of peace is there in both.)

My brother in-law and sister monitored with stethoscope and called her death at 12:21. WE had gotten there about 11:30. After some tears and composure my brother and brother in-law took 11 of the kids (babies stayed with moms) to Carl's Jr. and we waited for the mortician. The spirits departed and it was just us again.

I'm thankful I was able to be there. I'm thankful for the blessing of birth and death and I am thankful to know and hope and believe in life after death and the plan of salvation.My testimony grew today and my conviction of life after death was solidified as I felt those who have concern for those of us on our journey through mortality. It is with great gratitude that I thank them for their watch and care and concern for our milestones in eternity.

I love my grandmother. Her influence and felt in so many aspects of my life. From our love and craving for literature to my approach to housework. She is one of my greatest mentors and she will be greatly missed even though she lives on in so many habits and traditions we have. Life is short live it well.