tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8905400852427551541.post3063401051707007564..comments2024-03-28T12:32:29.797-06:00Comments on Mystic Meandering: On The Exit Ramp...Mystic Meanderinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09746429719911446865noreply@blogger.comBlogger12125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8905400852427551541.post-30589017268785942462014-05-12T16:05:00.254-06:002014-05-12T16:05:00.254-06:00Thank you Susan! How heart warming your experienc...Thank you Susan! How heart warming your experience with your mother! Sounds like she was well loved. Thank you for sharing it. Yes, "entry portal" too! :) In either case a "transition" into another state of Being. And what a way to pass over, with a smile on her face! One can only hope that we all recognize "Home" when it happens. And what a loving way to go - in full consciousness...<br /><br />B's mother likes soothing sensory experiences as well. She now has a "muff" that she likes to put her hands into - evidently likes the feel of it. She likes her shoulders rubbed. She also rocks herself back and forth in her wheelchair. We were told that she is "self-soothing."<br /><br />We got word this weekend that the "nurses" think she is deteriorating quickly - still, one never knows when "she" will go through that portal... Yes, definitely glad that B got to spend this time with her now...Mystic Meanderinghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09746429719911446865noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8905400852427551541.post-7470965571267773622014-05-12T15:26:46.275-06:002014-05-12T15:26:46.275-06:00Ah this rings such a bell, a lovely chime actually...Ah this rings such a bell, a lovely chime actually, for me! When my mom, also diagnosed with Alzheimer's, was on what to us was an entry portal more than an exit ramp because she had been describing seeing my papa and several of her sisters "over there" in the light, she loved soothing sensory experiences. We would rub her hands with lotion, read and sing to her, play Hildegarde von Bingen chants in the background, etc. which delighted her so very much. These were precious moments and B is fortunate to be able to walk partway down the path with his mom. When Mom finally passed, the smiled, exhaled and was gone. At that moment, I actually had a smile on my face because I knew she was teaching me not to fear. And then, of course, the tears won out. Blessings. <3stilllifewithtortillas.comhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04080107013739048463noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8905400852427551541.post-58090943854015304922014-05-11T09:26:35.265-06:002014-05-11T09:26:35.265-06:00Hi Lynne! Alzheimer's is such an enigma. So ...Hi Lynne! Alzheimer's is such an enigma. So far B's Mom has not exhibited the contrariness that I have others speak about. But her memory fluctuates... Mostly now she is withdrawn. I love your phrase "compose with the moment" - kind of like just going with the flow depending on the day. Yes, it would be nice to know that she was comforted by B's presence, she would keep opening her eyes to see if he was still there, so maybe so... Sometimes it seemed as if she didn't recognize him and that he was just one of the staff... Who knows... Thanks for your comment. :) Mystic Meanderinghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09746429719911446865noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8905400852427551541.post-50964830350225713402014-05-11T08:20:09.294-06:002014-05-11T08:20:09.294-06:00A perfect lesson in non-judgmental acceptance. I e...A perfect lesson in non-judgmental acceptance. I enjoyed reading this. My partner's mother has Alzheimers which mostly affects her short term memory and her emotions (contrariness). What else is there to do but to "compose with the moment" even if it appears that there is nothing to compose with? It must be a comfort for your husband's mother to sense his loving presence.Lynne with an ehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00320166770541319601noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8905400852427551541.post-24035751605822060022014-05-09T14:49:49.939-06:002014-05-09T14:49:49.939-06:00Yes, B *does* have a lot of understanding, and ins...Yes, B *does* have a lot of understanding, and insight as well. And - he has only gone 3 times in the past year - and only stayed for 2 days... So he doesn't have to do this *every* day, or several times a week either - like his sister... Don't know if his patience would hold out. And I don't think his mother is *aware* that she is "on the exit ramp." She is very much just living in the moment, I think. I know that you took care of your mother *at home* "on the exit ramp." That takes a lot of patience and understanding as well. I wish that people could talk about the "exit ramp" more with their families. I have tried to approach the subject with my mother, but she gets upset. She's very fearful of death, despite her faith.Mystic Meanderinghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09746429719911446865noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8905400852427551541.post-80568282844330973302014-05-09T14:16:01.527-06:002014-05-09T14:16:01.527-06:00Beautiful story. B's mom is lucky too to have...Beautiful story. B's mom is lucky too to have such a kind son who will just let her be and go through her pathway to the beyond. He has a lot of understanding. So many people let their fear of death effect how the interact with those "on the exit ramp." Doing, fixing. As you say, he has no need to do that. What a relief that must be for his Mom. Blessings.sukipoethttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09351851210507048174noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8905400852427551541.post-85907488024052725922014-05-09T14:09:14.407-06:002014-05-09T14:09:14.407-06:00Thank you Patricia :) Yes, I know, so many of us ...Thank you Patricia :) Yes, I know, so many of us women are the ones sitting with our spouses on the exit ramp - as you know... Or don't have spouses to sit with us when our time comes. If that is how my life unfolds then I hope I can do it with courage, wisdom, and acceptance... I have no idea how I would be in those circumstances... I think losing a spouse is so much more painful than losing a mother who is in her 90's. And what a wonderful prayer. If I were alone by then I was thinking of having some Buddhist monks chanting... Just sounded very comforting when I read about it... Or I could have all my wonderful blog friends come to sit :) Have a wonderful Pilgrimage to Ireland!!!Mystic Meanderinghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09746429719911446865noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8905400852427551541.post-84797407473297384482014-05-09T12:55:37.071-06:002014-05-09T12:55:37.071-06:00Such a lovely post...and so meaningful. A lesson f...Such a lovely post...and so meaningful. A lesson for all of us.Enjoy the ride, wherever it takes you, and when it comes your time to take that exit ramp I pray everyone has someone so wise to sit next to them and just be.Patricia Turnerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08805777892399781031noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8905400852427551541.post-71216968614721938112014-05-09T09:38:07.928-06:002014-05-09T09:38:07.928-06:00Thanks Tracy :) That colorful quilt is actually a...Thanks Tracy :) That colorful quilt is actually a prayer quilt made by some of the women at her youngest grand-daughter's church...Mystic Meanderinghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09746429719911446865noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8905400852427551541.post-84127419768154815942014-05-09T09:36:20.397-06:002014-05-09T09:36:20.397-06:00Yes :) We both have our moments of wisdom. LOL......Yes :) We both have our moments of wisdom. LOL... Glad you added that last - "and so is he" ;)Mystic Meanderinghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09746429719911446865noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8905400852427551541.post-21860012136648218862014-05-09T05:33:21.647-06:002014-05-09T05:33:21.647-06:00Your B is a VERY wise man! I enjoy when you share ...Your B is a VERY wise man! I enjoy when you share his wisdom along with your own here. :o) My heart goes out to him, in this learning of acceptance of this last stage of his mother's life. I like think, that in those times where his mother seems to be disenganged, it's really a meeting with the Divine--comfort meetings. :o) To just accept, to just be witness with someone--however near & dear--during the last journey along the exit ramp (great expression!) is profound. To just be there, to just be witness... The allowing... That's really all we can do, can't we? And, yes, we're all on the ramp--in one stage of another on that outward journey... Much to think about with this--thank you! ((HUGS)) P.s. And of course, have to say LOVE that colorful quilt on B's mom's bed. ;o)<br />Tracyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09179096002434748927noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8905400852427551541.post-26268291265474434902014-05-08T23:48:06.107-06:002014-05-08T23:48:06.107-06:00Beautiful. He is so wise! You are so lucky, and so...Beautiful. He is so wise! You are so lucky, and so is he.Umāhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10680155603317072829noreply@blogger.com