Jenn

I was the primary caregiver of my amazing mom for almost four years before she passed away (I have no siblings and she was single). We had a very deep connection that most people would covet. My mom lived with us in our small condo for the last six weeks of her life. I couldn't have gotten through the peaks and valleys of her illness without my incredibly supportive and understanding husband, and without the love and light of my beautiful two year old boy.

I have my own company doing fundraising and coalition building for non profits and healthcare organizations. I love dance, music and spending time with nature daily even in the urban area where I live. I try never to take anything in life for granted... even this bittersweet time for grief and life...

On June 14, 2009, my amazing mom lost her battle to ovarian cancer. She fought to the end, and was in pain and discomfort until the evening before she passed. My mom stopped being able to swallow or talk 5 days before she passed, and although she slept quite a bit, she was still alert a lot and trying to communicate her pain and eventually her love. Shortly before she passed, I saw doves nest in the window box on my patio and I told her they came to guide her on her journey.

Five minutes later I stepped away down the hall and the hospice nurse said to come back quickly, mom had just stopped breathing. "9:08 a.m." the nurse said referring to the time of death. I kissed mom's forehead over and over while telling her how much I loved her. Her mouth moved a little and the nurse said that was a typical post death reflex.
Then the most intense thing happened. My mom closed her eyes, opened them again and slowly whispered "I love you." The nurse said she never saw this happen before and was in awe of my mom's strength, spirit and our love for each other. She said there was still so much modern medicine had to learn about death and dying. The time of "death" was changed to 9:10 a.m.