Thinking of you Mom on Mother's Day

This past September, my mother was diagnosed with terminal lung cancer. Although Florida was home for more than thirty years, she wanted to spend her final days with her family in New England. She left behind her closest friends, the bridge clubs she belonged to, and the home she loved. Weak, and confined to a wheel chair, my sisters, brother and I arranged a flight and accompanied her to New England in November 2008. Mom's care facility, Maple View Manor in Rocky Hill, CT the ideal choice. Lisa is the facilities Recreation Director and mom looked forward to seeing her everyday. In addition, Lisa was a strong advocate for our mother's health care, and I admire her for her courage, under the circumstances. Mom, always a strong-minded woman, was determined to share Thanksgiving and Christmas with the entire extended family, outside of the facility despite her waning health, and she found the strength to do it. Not long after the holidays, mom's health deteriorated, she grew weaker by the day. Always a strong advocate of equal rights, she lived to see President Obama take the Oath of Office. She died four days later, her children by her side, never alone, her journey on this great earth ended. Mom you are greatly missed, and never forgotten. Your loving daughter, Pat