BagOfNothing.com

• First of all, I want to extend my sincere thanks to all of you that took the time to send me and my family an email, card, flowers, and/or donation to lupus research to honor the memory of MomGeeding.  I had no idea that perfect strangers that only know me from my little blog actually cared about my personal life.  It was an unexpected blessing, and warmed all of our hearts at this dark time in our life.  Thanks!
• Several have noticed that I uploaded some pictures of MomGeeding on my Flickr account.  Thanks for all the kind words, and yes, I was at one time actually cute.
• I grew up in a small town that only had two funeral homes, so there wasn’t much thought when it came to choosing such a place when someone died.  However, now we live in a very large metropolitan area, and we didn’t have a clue where to go.  When I did a Google search for local funeral homes, there were two places we didn’t feel comfortable with just because of the name.  One was called Thrash Funeral Chapel, and the other had the name Rhoton in it, which reminded us of the word “rotten.”
• When we told the funeral director that we wanted MomGeeding to be cremated, he asked if we wanted to witness the cremation.  I bet you just read that sentence twice.  We politely said no.  I guess some folks want to witness it since there have been some scandals in the news about some bad funeral homes, religious reasons, and maybe for peace of mind.
• In case you were not aware, there is a BrotherGeeding.  He hasn’t talked to MomGeeding for over three years, never visited her in the hospital, didn’t want to be there as she passed, and actually lives about a mile down the road from GeedingManor.  Turns out he had a life insurance policy on her, a rather nice one.  Something just doesn’t seem right about that situation.
• I have now given two eulogies, one for my best friend and one for my mother.  It was only by the grace of God I was able to make it through both of those.  Everyone said I did a great job, but really, are you going to tell someone the eulogy he or she just gave sucked?
• Some of MomGeeding’s ashes were spread on top of my father’s grave, the remaining ashes will be spread in Vietnam.  That is one trip I’m scared to take, but feel like I need to take.  I think the trip will happen during spring break.
• One of the worst parts of death is losing the scent of a love one.
• Last night it occurred to me that I will no longer have some of my mother’s cooking, as she was the only one that knew how to prepare her meals.  She did it all by memory, so no recipes exist.  So for all of you out there that loves your mama’s cooking, here is an opportunity to spend some quality time with her in the kitchen.
• I feel very adult all of a sudden being that both of my parents are dead.  This must be exceptionally hard on 20 year old SisterGeeding.
• GeedingManor feels really empty.
• I hope this doesn’t sound selfish, but I’m OK with the fact that she died right before Thanksgiving.  So often when a loved one passes, you just can’t help but wonder what the first holidays without them are going to be like.  At lease we can get them out of the way sooner rather than later.
• Guilt is pretty contageous after your mother falls down the stairs.
• I will never look at my cell phone again and see that the call reads “Mom.”
• Regular blogging and posts will start again soon.

Mom died last early yesterday evening around 5:45 PM.

The doctors called yesterday afternoon and stated that a severe case of pneumonia caused both of her lungs to collapse, and she was no longer breathing on her own.  We all rushed to Parkland Hospital as soon as we could and were forced with the difficult decision to take the breathing tube out.

WifeGeeding, SisterGeeding, and I were thankful we could be there for her final moments, to tell her that we love her, and to pray with her.  Even though she was not conscious, we believe she heard every word.  We were also thankful to have an exceptional doctor and nurse on hand that we will forever be linked to, and thankful for their care and gentleness.

The rest of the evening was rough, especially calling her relatives in Vietnam as well as other family and friends.  Not to mention, passing by the stairs.

She was a woman that had a very hard life.  Her father was assassinated when she was an infant for his democratic beliefs, her mother abused her, her country was overthrown by communists, she had a racist mother-in-law, lost a husband and raised my sister all by herself.  Despite all that, she did nothing but be a woman of noble character and showed all of her children an extraordinary kind of unselfish love.  She will be missed, but not forgotten.  Her legacy will be carried out as we live our lives with the virtues she instilled in us.

Please pray for us as we grieve, we no longer have parents.  She was a believer, and we are thankful she is no longer in any pain.  I was lucky to have her at all my graduations and my wedding, my 20 year old sister will not be as fortunate.

I do want to thank all of you for all the prayers and warm wishes we did receive after her fall.

I just thought I would post a picture of her when she was strong, from about ten years ago when she picked up my cousin (now SisterGeeding) from Vietnam.  Her ashes will be spread there as well as on my father’s grave.

In lieu of any flowers, please feel free to make a donation towards lupus research.

I’m taking a break from blogging until the Monday after Thanksgiving.