I don't envy you that conversation.  I have 5 daughters...yea, you read that right...and I can't imagine having that kind of conversation with any of them.  It's hard being the dad when you're also the son.  If I may ask, how old is she?

Keeping you and your's in my thoughts.

Brittany is about to turn 14 here soon (Nov. 4th). And my mother was more of a mother to her then a grandmother. My wife passed away shortly after Brittany was born. Due to complicated pregnancy and not listening to doctor's orders. And when my wife passed away my mother instantly said Brittany and I was moving back home where she could help me with my newborn baby. We ended up staying here with her the entire time. As soon as I even considered getting our own place my mother started to get sick so I decided we would stay so I could return the favor and help my mother.

Pete,
my thought are with you, your daughter and your family at this time of crisis. I do hope you all come through it all relatively unscathed!

Be strong Pete. I lost my father in April and I know how it feels to run out of time.

Dirk

I got scared when I woke this morning and found my brother had disappeared in the middle of the night. I just got off the phone with the people at Hospice. My mother is in active death as they put it. Meaning that it could be at any time now. I know I wasn't woken to go up there because I have Brittany to consider and she can't be left alone now. Which is ok... I had the opportunity to be with my mother quite a bit through this. Though I am sorry I am not there with her now. The nurses say that she will not make it through the day. That they are actually surprised she made it through the night. That is my mother... so strong to the very end. Which is something I knew for a long time now. When the time comes it would never be because she just given up. I knew that she would fight it to the very end. It is just so like her. I hate the idea of her suffering like this to fight it... but that is just her... who she truly is.

I will be calling the school here shortly to talk to them about Brittany. And make it so we can talk to her counselor and teachers. As she will be needing time off... my mother was much more then a grandmother to her. With the loss of my wife when Brittany was a newborn, my mother became more like a mother to her then a grandmother.

Sure I was expecting this... and knew for a while it was inevitable... but there is still a big part of me that can't believe it is time to say our final goodbyes to her.

My condolences, Pete.

You write so warmly about your mother that I'm sure the memories you have, and the fact that you got to spend time with her in her final days, will make it easier for you and your daughter in the coming days and weeks.

All the best to you and your daughter, and to the rest of the family.

I'm so sorry Pete! Nothing more I can say. Be strong and take care of your daughter! My deepest sympathy!

Pete,

So sorry to hear about your mother passing.

Take comfort in knowing that you were able to spend some time with her near the end.  Keep the good memories alive and she will be with you forever.