With a Wink and a Grin

My mother in law turned 97 yesterday. Over the past weekend, three generations of our family have come to say their final farewell. We are standing vigil, waiting for the inevitable to transpire. For the final curtain to fall.

As she has with everything else in her life, these last moments have been handled by her with an abundance of grace and dignity. In recent days, aware she is failing, but clearly at peace. Calm and with a sense of humor still peeking through.

After a day or two towards the end of this past week when she could not find an easy rest, by mid day on her birthday she had grown quiet. Sleep, which had come in small fits and starts, now her constant companion.

In the middle of yesterday afternoon, two of her grandchildren and I were at her bedside. We were talking, staring at the woman who was the focus of our conversation and our attention. Our thoughts solemn and filled with sadness.  Suddenly, my mother in law opened her eyes, surely aware of the presence of those around her. She looked directly at me and, without a moment of hesitation, asked in clear voice "did I die?".

It was, I fully believe, intended to lighten our hearts, to bring a smile to our faces, not a tear to our eyes.

Since then, she has once more grown quiet. I do not know if she will speak further, or if what I heard are to be her parting words. She may fool us all and hang around a while longer. But should what I have reported to you be the last comment she makes, I view it as her leaving this life exactly as she wished.

With a wink and a grin.