Angels Breath


Most material contained within @Angel 1995-2008 except where otherwise specified.
Written permission must be obtained in writing before distributing, reprinting or copying.

Join us! The Writers Block party Blog Group on MySpace


We Love You Cory!
Artwork by: Robert Tracy (Main Site)
Click here for Robert on MySpace

I proudly support our TROOPS!

Cory, Patrick; ALL of you:
We love & miss you and are sending you positive energies every second of every day!


HOO~RAH!!!



HELP BRING THESE MISSING KIDS HOME! NCMEC.org
National Center For Missing & Exploited Children


One click is all it takes! Click each, below:




Want to help too? CLICK HERE to post this on your page or blog


Poetry Blog Rankings


To display my banner, just copy this code to your website:

«ˆ§¤ºÅñg꣰¤§ˆ»

Last Updated:
Aug 31, 2008

Send Message
Instant Message
Email to a Friend
Subscribe

Gender: Female
Sign: Pisces

Country: US


My Blog Groups

Passion
Previous |Random|Next

Alluvial Glue.
Previous |Random|Next

Poetry Lovers
Previous |Random|Next

UniQue wRitErs
Previous |Random|Next

Poets Critiqued
Previous |Random|Next

EXPOSE YOUR BLOG TO THE MASSES
Previous |Random|Next

The Writers Block party
Previous |Random|Next

Beyond the Confines of the Verse
Previous |Random|Next

The Poetry Collection
Previous |Random|Next

Poetic free for all.
Previous |Random|Next

Real Talk
Previous |Random|Next

The MySpace Poet Society
Previous |Random|Next

The Poet Sanctuary
Previous |Random|Next

Poetic Justice
Previous |Random|Next

Love Poetry and Spoken Word
Previous |Random|Next


Browse Blog Groups


My Subscriptions
Tom
Rick
$CASH MONEY MILLIONAIRE$ IS TIRED OF FAKE PHONIES
Ines
SteelHead
Zahhar
Al Nava
Todd C
Kelly Renee
~ Dawn Henderson ~
Im Addicted♥
BC Beneke
Chris
The MySpace Poet Society
johnny
Smiles Goodsense! The Angel of Doubt
Atrevida
Tony Haynes
Alicia
Livin' On a Prayer (family and friends page)
The Mad Goat
--Steve-- Withoutsense LP In Recording!!!
Anthony Michael Hall (Official)
Rebecca
Island Bronze
Melissa Ellen Gilbert-Boxleitner
OPPNOX
Charlie
r. senal
°º¤ø ♥ Tonia ♥ ø¤º°
Simian Records
KimAnn
~Mrs. A+~
Running Horse
Inner Beauty
Alluvial Glue
The Legendary Bitch of DC
J. Michael Warren™
Tom Hanks
ROBERT 2.0
Riddick....Last of the Poets
AKAJimmi
Poets Round Table Society
Valentine deFrancis
Ravin ~ Never More *Legacy Writer*
Will
Sean Patrick Flanery (Official)
Legacy Writers of Harmony Pub
Niels, the naked poet
Inspiration is MY Goal, with Poetry for the Soul
Justin Blackburn
Shawn Franco
PoetryNest 2
Blogophilia
mindofasoulja
gail

Blog Archive
Older     Newer ]


September 17, 2008 - Wednesday

The Shadows: 9/11/2001
Current mood: accomplished
Category: Writing and Poetry

A repost.. with love prayers and hope-filled energies.
(Now that the yukky virii have been quelled, I can be online again :)  )

The Shadows: 9/11/01

A faceless image brushes past
Swiftly moving towards eternity
For a brief moment
It impales me

Dreams, hopes, desires aglow
Changing intensities, emerging
For a brief moment
They disrupt me


Emotions of fury, fear, hope
Bathe me in a sea of gray
For a brief moment
They move me


Nameless souls in despair, cry
In an ocean of tears to drown
For a brief moment
They join me


Voices like the sirens piercing, deep
Images, dreams, emotions, souls
For a brief moment
They touch me


A voice speaks of unity, strength, prayer
Of freedom, love, a nation under God
For a brief moment
Did you hear me?


@Angel 2001-2008

12:01 AM - 2 Comments - 2 Kudos - Add Comment

August 31, 2008 - Sunday

Of Typos, Bad Grammar & Other Such Stuff
Current mood: weird
Category: Writing and Poetry

We've all been there. A typo here, some slang there.

How many times have we been subjected to forms of it to the point of utter frustration?
How many of us have felt like we've wanted to rip our hair out?

Then again, how many of us have bowled over laughing when these things occur, even if they occur to ourselves?

Well fuckit... instead of overanalyzing, thanks to my friend Pak for sending me this in the 1st place..
I present to you (for your enjoyment, of course) the following clip, which summarizes everything up pretty darn good.

 

ALL HAIL FUNKY SPEECH!

7:46 AM - 0 Comments - 0 Kudos - Add Comment

August 20, 2008 - Wednesday

Popping in to say HI & give y’all an update.. :)
Current mood: adored
Category: Blogging

Hey all...

Thought I would bring you all up to speed :D

Lately Ive been a bit 'bedridden', so to speak lol I've been undergoing injection therapy for my back and up until two weeks ago I was doing okay.

I had been getting a single 'epidural' injection between the ruptured discs and vertebrae every other week, concentrating on the symptoms in my legs. But, two weeks ago he changed it to begin working on the band of pain I feel in my back at my waistline.

So, I got 6 injections (3 on each side of my spine). And, as luck would have it, it hasnt done that well. Today is the first day Ive been able to sit upright without my head feeling like it was going to split open and being able to move my left shoulder and neck  Suffice it to say I go back in tomorrow for a 'followup'.

Anyhoo, that is why I havent really been online, reading and/or posting. Im still here, still praying, still thinkin' about everyone.. and I do miss y'all.

So here's to good friends and the power of positive thinking

God bless and I'll be seein' y'all soon! :)

xoxo,
~~~Angel

6:58 PM - 6 Comments - 2 Kudos - Add Comment

July 16, 2008 - Wednesday

a Rule For The 21st Century
Current mood: adventurous
Category: Writing and Poetry

I believe

                 that

We The People

need to
            begin
using
      the Constitution Of The United States

       
    
LESS

                              as a shield


                                       

                         for criminals,

            and 
               
more

         as a sword

 

       for all the innocent victims.

 

 

But that's just my opinion.

 

 

And now, for something completely different
(
Z
... I posted this 'specially for you  ):



As we were getting gas one fine evening,
I snapped this picture (with my cellphone) 
of
 2 Mosquitoes getting-it-on (having sex)
on top of the gas pump.

Yes, even Mosquitoes can do it doggy-style
Think they care about the high gas prices? Hardly

Maybe there's a lesson there... but who cares...

I just thought it was super-cool that I even got the photo with my crappy cellphone camera lol

Until next time, have fun, stay gold, play nice and enjoy the day :) *Waves!

~~~Angel

10:04 PM - 2 Comments - 2 Kudos - Add Comment

May 20, 2008 - Tuesday

Justin
Current mood: blessed
Category: Writing and Poetry

for Justin

 

 

JUSTIN

We ain't got nothin' but time
   So we sit and read
               and rhyme

We ain't got nothin' but our dreams
   So we sleep and rest
               so it seems

We ain't got nothin' but our cellmates
    So we whisper and talk
                through grates

We ain't got color, religion or creed
     So we hope and pray
                 because
                              the same color, we all bleed

 

Copyright ©Angel 2008
All Rights Reserved

4:02 PM - 2 Comments - 2 Kudos - Add Comment

May 10, 2008 - Saturday

Update: My back...
Current mood: determined
Category: Writing and Poetry

Well, went to the neuro on Friday of last week and didn't want to post anything until I had heard from the specialist.

The disc is definitely ruptured and theres "a lot of debris" surrounding it and pressing on nerves. Yay *sarcasm intended lol*

My "annular tear" is making things worse but hasn't GOTTEN worse, thank goodness.

He said he didn't want to rush into surgery because the occurance was so recent so...
he's sending me to a pain management specialist. In 1.5 months I will return, once my symptoms 'stabilize' and he will decide then whether or not to have surgery or go another route.

Thing is, I am "multi-symptomatic" with 'bi-lateral symptoms with uni-lateral injuries'. Which means, I should only be experiencing symptoms on 1 side, instead of both.
*sigh*

Well, 6/13/08 is my appointment with the specialist. 7/14/08 is my follow-up appointment with the neurosurgeon.

Im still having problems walking, not because of loss of feeling but because of the pain. Sometimes my leg or legs go numb, yes, but feeling comes back once I shift my legs around so... its mostly pain that keeps me from walkin' 'around like I used to.

I still feel blessed because it could be worse yanno?

So, that said, all your prayers and energies ARE working 'cos my faith level is stable and I stay positive. :)

Love you all, and talk with ya soon!

xoxox,

~~~Angel

10:31 PM - 4 Comments - 0 Kudos - Add Comment

September 16, 2008 - Tuesday

Freedom Survival
Current mood: adventurous
Category: Writing and Poetry

FREEDOM SURVIVAL


Birds sound their welcome as the desert evening becomes day
Sand whips my face like a pony's tail swatting at flies
Scorpions and snakes fight, uselessly, for the right of way
Across desert paths, they scurry, beyond which the enemy lies


Soundwaves from tanks and humvees reverberate deep in my soul
Scents from meals-ready-to-eat being prepared tickle my gut
The sounds connect with my brain; my ears and heart feel like coal
The smells perforate my tongue; my stomach deep in a nutritional rut

 'Atten-SHUN!' is the cry which brings me to my feet
With my gear at the ready and my boots securely tied
I stand to hear the orders although I've had little sleep
The road ahead us is dark and is where our comerade just died


'HOO-RAH!' we respond, though our heads are heavy with fear
Images from yesterday's attack still so very fresh in our minds
We proudly hide the nagging  trepidation which encompasses us
As our feet scrape the sand left right left bringing our enemies nearer


The rolling vibrations from the tank's monstrous and heavy tread
Matches the rhythm of my brothers, sisters and I strutting left right left
With each new step our sturdy boots make our feet feel like lead
But we march on, scanning this way and that; movements precise and deft


Gazing ahead of me I become swathed in the silken cape of the morning sun
While the horizon begins glowing, bathed with the purest shade of gold
If but for a moment I'm awash in the precious feeling that I've won
An enigma of invincibility stabs me: I won't die this day and I will grow old


As the shadows of my comerades float across my face and chest
My thoughts drift to my wife and child and my mother back home
Did they see the same sunrise when they awoke from their rest?
Do they feel safe because we're here? Do they care while we roam?


The shockwaves run deep knocking us from our feet onto our backs
My golden curtain there one moment then stripped away by the blast
The solid line of soldiers readjusting; quickly scanning for what lacks
Reality flies at me and engages me; a split second, but forever it will last


Earthquakes of bombardment stir up the dust and rip through my skull
Both enemy and friendly pumped up, adrenalized, and ready to die
Light bursts forth from our weapons and fiercly burns through the dust
Split seconds of fire whose burns could forever within someone lie

My golden curtain is now lost; it has morphed into matted shadows of tan
I am no longer worrying about my wife, kids, home or my Mom
Though they flash, flying around me like ghosts across this riddled land
I close my eyes for a moment and when they open my visages are gone

I dig my heels into the dirt like they're earthworms in a dewy field
My eyes are darting around, searching north, east and west
I have thoughts of last night; it was no picnic but this, right now, is surreal
I think of the fallen and begin to wonder, 'does it truly matter who is best?'

The pummeling stops and we are like shadows as we rise to stand tall
Retreated, defeated, no fighting anymore the enemy silences it's alarms
A smidgen of wonder wraps itself around us 'Sar'nt, did we get them all?'
As Seargent answers me 'no but they're finished', I dust off my arms

Sand sticking to my face hiding the scars that run deep
Birds have since flown far away so it is quiet as day becomes night
Across desert paths beyond the horizon, the moon begins to creep
Scorpions and snakes silently slither along, not wanting to fight.
 
A cry of 'Medic!' slices into my breast and puts wings on my feet
So with my gear at the ready and my boots still securely tied
I walk swiftly and then, behind a mound of sand, my friend and I meet
The road beneath us is dark and is where my Brother just died


Later on, thoughts of my comerades are awash in my mind and chest
My thoughts drift to my wife, child and mother back at home
With me here I'm content that they're safe when they lay down to rest
Will they ever truly appreciate what we do, while we're here, while we roam?


 


Dedicated to all the men and women who serve, have served, living or not, in our nations Military.


Thank you, we miss you, we pray for you, and we WILL keep good thoughts and energies comin' your way !

~~~Angel




Copyright ©Angel 2008
All Rights Reserved



(originally written May, 11, 2008)

11:57 PM - 2 Comments - 2 Kudos - Add Comment

May 1, 2008 - Thursday

A Dream Of Mirror Journey
Current mood: amorous
Category: Writing and Poetry

As some of you may know, I enjoy playing MMORPG's.
My favorite one to play is Dream Of Mirror, aka: DoMo.

One of the Game Sages initiated a poetry contest and, as you
might guess, I entered.

I hope you enjoy walking with me in my Dream Of Mirror Journey ;-)

A Dream Of Mirror Journey

The breeze blows quietly in from the West
A BowWow barks sending Moth's aflight
The Kuku Eggs crack wanting out from the nest
And I, with my Wand, are among them this night

A squeal from the shadows ripped through the trees
Turning around I came face to face with the Theif
If not for his dagger and dirt laden knees
The Pupu would have killed me, like fire on dry leaf

My spells were askew, my hands were a-tremble
His face was sweaty, his eyes glowed with disdain
We stared at each other, not a word nor a mumble
But when I lowered my gaze, he sheathed his dagger again

"Why, a fair Maiden like you should not travel alone!
The forests look enchanting but nary a man pass,
for there's beast aplenty which break a mans bones
and dirt doesn't belong on the feet of such a fair lass"

"Why, Master Theif, I assure you I am okay.
My feet may be dirty but I am clean of spirit and heart.
I am traveling light and if you are going my way,
you may walk with me, talk with me, though ahead we must part"

So we walked towards Collington, the Theif and I
Protectors of each other, we both were
The glaze of darkness slowly disappeared from his eyes
as our chit-chat became laughter, vibrant and pure

"Fair Maiden, it has been a pleasure traveling with you.
Before today I'd known only self-reliance and strife
but now I realize it's better to be with a friend who is true
than to be battling alone, constantly, taking chances with life"

We nodded and smiled, and said our goodbye's
The portal swirling by my feet, the trees rustling loud.
My teleport opened and I said, "dear Theif I must fly..."
And I stepped into light, my feet parted from the ground.

A knock brings me back, someone is at my front door
Standing up from my desk I look through the window
My neighbor is there, a walking stick poised on the floor
"C'mon, Angel, it's getting late we must go!"

The breeze blows quietly in from the West
A dog barks sending the butterflies aflight
The Sparrow eggs crack wanting out from the nest
And we, true friends, are among them this night



Copyright ©Angel 2008 All Rights Reserved

My original post on the DoMo site can be found here

Enjoy some Videos of DoMo, HERE (the last one is awesome!)

 

12:13 PM - 1 Comments - 2 Kudos - Add Comment

April 25, 2008 - Friday

Back news....
Current mood: hopeful
Category: Writing and Poetry

Well, I had yet another MRI done on Monday because, for 4 days I had been barely able to walk.

Given my past injuries I knew this was a "new" thing and demanded an MRI when my Dr said "maybe youve gotten used to the pain medication........
Ill up the dose & schedule an appointment next week".

Well, the MRI showed that 1 of  the damaged disks had 'given up'.
I have a "focal herniation at the S1 level with framents cutting into and pushing on the nerves".
The new herniation, along with the other damaged disks and the annular tear which already exist but which are 'stable' (for now), have warranted urgent specialist attention.

So, next Friday, I go see a Neurosurgeon & spine expert.
Goody.

Im still feeling blessed... because it could've been worse & there's still a lot of people with worse things going on with them..
So Im going to stay positive despite my acute fear of needles and surgical procedures.
If I need surgery, and I have surgery, I hope I wont be in any more pain.
6 years of this crap is enough yanno?

And, you can bet your sweet butts I will be climbing that tree in my front yard and shouting THANK YOU, GOD! from the highest limb if they finally fix my back :) And if that happens? Yes, Ill post a picture lol

I gotta fly now cos sitting upright for long periods of time is uh, near impossible.....so....
Wish me luck :)

4:31 PM - 4 Comments - 2 Kudos - Add Comment

April 24, 2008 - Thursday

Oh boy.... O_o
Current mood: determined
Category: Writing and Poetry

Well, I'm always honest so here goes:

Ive been avoiding my Blog for days now.

Part of me didn't know what to write, or how to convey things, but a really good thing happened to me recently.

Ive told only 1 other reader about this, and suffice it to say, he helped me to embrace it.

What is "it"?

At my Mothers memorial service I saw, and got re-acquainted with, relatives I had not seen since I was 10 years old or so. It was wonderful; they don't look any different than they did when I was younger lol They said the same about me..which made me laugh...

But the highlight, if there ever IS one during an event like this, was when my cousin approached me regarding the poems I'd read during the service.

While only 1 was my own, the other one was written by my friend Rebecca (See previous blog), and she spoke to me about A Mothers Circle and how it affected everyone.

Apparently, it made a huge impact. Everyone was showring me with praiseand I truly did not know how to respond. This was my Mom's memorial service... so I just politely thanked everyone, one by one, for myself and for Rebecca (*hugs!!!*).

But when my cousin's turn in the receiving line to hug me, she gently pulled me aside and said that her friend had been bugging her for weeks, a couple of months, for good material.....to publish. 

So, here I was, bawling my eyes out because, well, it was Mom's memorial service..
while being overwhelmed with surprise, elation and thanks at the same time because she wanted MY 'material' for her publisher friend.

MY stuff!!!
The stuff I thought would never really 'be' anything or get published.
The stuff I would write on the back of receipts, napkins, envelopes; whenever the feeling hit me no matter where I was, I would find something to write upon.

The stuff my Mother had said, ages and ages and ages ago, that was very good, that I had a distinct and strong talent and that I should persue it...
maybe even write my memoirs and get it published....
that it would be a best-seller for sure.

So here I sit, with a huge "WOW!" resounding in my soul and huge thanks for all those who believe in me and believed in me through the years.
Here I sit with rock solid PROOF that good CAN come out of bad.
Here I sit, thankful that I have a definitive "MAYBE"... instead of a "I doubt it will ever...".

So I am very humbled and thankful and hopeful because there is a chance, however large or small, that my work will be published. :)

And the best part?? Rebecca:

Whether or not this happens for me,
I am DARNED sure going to send them your direction :)
Yes, they loved my poem but they loved yours also... 

Our Pastor said
"two perfect poems: 1 giving the security that she is WITH God, how much God loves us and how we shouldnt worry,
and the other celebrating her life, and how she was yet knowing she WILL carry on living through you and your children and their children and so on.."

IF you dont want me to, thats fine.... but it would be my honor to lead them your way for your poem was loved by so many, and gave us ALL so much comfort that day. ALL of your work is inspirational, without a doubt! :)

Anyways, I thought I would share the good news with you all, now, since I cannot ignore it and since it is not just about me, but about Rebecca and her work, also.

I have to go finish supper now but....I will write again soon.

Peace blessings and light to you all :)

xoxox,
~~Angel
*doing a happy-dance

5:33 PM - 2 Comments - 2 Kudos - Add Comment

March 31, 2008 - Monday

In Memoriam...
Current mood: exhausted
Category: Writing and Poetry

Mother

Heaven is now graced with another Angel.
V., 84, passed away peacefully March 28, 2008 at Elizabeth House aka: Four Seasons Hospice & Palliative Care in Flat Rock, NC.


Born June 24, 1923 in PA., the daughter of the late Miles & Carrie T., V. graduated from Towson High School in Towson, MD. She held a position as the Executive Secretary to the Vice-President of American Airlines at Washington Intl. Airport when she met her future husband.


V. & John were married on April 27, 1963. They chose a dream-home and had it built in Rockville, MD. John & V. asked her step-son if he would like a sister. Soon after, in 1965, their daughter was born. A son followed, born in 1968.


V. & John moved their family to PA., and soon V. became active in the Church & Schools, volunteering and, whenever the situation called for it, letting her voice be heard. She shuttled her children to and from Church, School & extracurricular functions, no matter the time or day, without complaint. She had a deeply-rooted love for classical music and always had applause for her children's efforts at singing or playing instruments, even if it was loud or off-key. V. took great pleasure in attending her children's concerts & performances at both Church and School. She was proud of their accomplishments, no matter how great or small. She enjoyed her years she was a Girl Scout Cookie Chairman & Council Member for Freedom Valley Girl Scout Council, and she took her children's interests in Boy & Girl Scouts seriously, always volunteering or donating whenever she could.


V. loved to bake; her talent for cooking shining best during Holiday gatherings, when she would go 'all-out' and serve glorious meals with grace and ease. She enjoyed playing Bridge, crocheting, knitting, gardening & sewing, but her most unique talent was braiding rugs. Whether large for a living room, or small for a stair, no rug was alike and all were created with patience and love. When computers burst on-scene, she enjoyed her nightly computer-game of Solitaire. She would also spend her spare time gardening, whether they be outside or inside plants they always flourished from the care of her Green-Thumb. She would also recycle candles, making her own, with multi-colors and many of them uniquely shaped.


Some time after their children had grown & moved away, V. & John moved to N.C. and settled in Hendersonville. For 17 years V. enjoyed the peaceful country-like life here. She enjoyed many activities offered by The Center For Lifelong Learning at Blue Ridge Community College as well as experiencing the many once-in-a-lifetime opportunities offered by Elder Hostels. She also relished Bowling, weekly, at H-Ville Lanes.


V. is survived by her loving husband of 44 years, John of  NC; a daughter and son-in-law, Angel & Dauthi of NC; a son and daughter-in-law of VA.; a step-son of MD.; a brother of FL.; a sister of MD.; 7 Grandchildren; 1 Great-Grandson; 4 Nieces; 5 Nephews and numerous Grand-Nieces & Grand-Nephews.


V. was a long-time vibrant member of Church, in Hendersonville. She will be remembered by her family as a devoted and loving wife and mother who relished the family-time surrounding bountiful meals she prepared, or spent time with at Church or School events. She will be remembered by all who knew her as a cheerful, friendly, respectful, and caring person who would always reach out to others whenever she could and be a patient, loyal listener to those who needed someone to talk to without being judged.


A Memorial Service is to be held at Church on Saturday, April 5, 2008 at  2:00 P.M.


In lieu of flowers, Memorials can be made to Four Seasons Hospice & Palliative Care, 571 S. Allen Rd., Flat Rock, N.C. 28731.


 



Paradiso Canto 31
Painting by: Gustave Dore.. (1832-1883)


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

ALWAYS
~ By: Rebecca Rey

Even when I feel alone
standing in this place
l
ooking out
seeing the night
seeing the dawn
wondering in the silence
contemplating
the things that may be
I feel You with me
comforting me
giving me strength
to endure
patience
to wait for what is to come
wisdom
to understand
that for this
and all things there is a reason
for this
and all others
the purpose is Yours
while I may not understand
why
I know that this
is for Your glory
this
is for someone
who needs to see
to hear
to understand
that it isn't the end
they are not alone
because even when those moments come
You are there
always
Even when I feel alone
standing in this place
looking out
seeing the night
seeing the dawn
wondering in the silence
contemplating
the things that may be
I feel You with me
comforting me
giving me strength
to endure
patience
to wait for what is to come
wisdom
to understand
that for this
and all things there is a reason
for this
and all others
the purpose is Yours
while I may not understand
why
I know that this
is for Your glory
this
is for someone
who needs to see
to hear
to understand
that it isn't the end
they are not alone
because even when those moments come
You are there
always


Copyright ©Rebecca Rey
All Rights Reserved


A MOTHER'S CIRCLE ~ by: Angel (originally posed 8/27/07)


She reaches over with silken hand
Gingerly caressing its body
Drinking in every cell and texture
Tenderly and passionately


She speaks with feathered tongue
Gently grasping its heart
Tasting and digesting its beauty
Subtly and endearingly


She is lovely on bended knee
Solidly leading its life
Coaxing and tempting its root
Purely and wondrously


She stands with dignity
Patiently watering the flower
Showing and teaching me about life
Tirelessly and steadily


She reaches over with fragile hand
Barely to caress its body
Crying and reminiscing of beauty
Quietly and Secretly


She speaks with aged tongue
Wisely into its heart
Speaking of lasting beauty
Wistfully and Passively


She is lovely in wheeled chair
Beautifully ensconced with life
Leading me towards my roots
Endlessly and lovingly


I stand for her with dignity
Strongly to feed our flower
Speaking happily of our life
Positively and refreshingly


She reaches with windswept hand
Lightly brushing my shoulder
Drinking in all her successes
Maternally and heavenly


She whispers with winged tongue
Purity fills my heart
Keeping our flower alive
Endlessly and eternally


She is lovely in aura of white
Constantly guiding my life
Strengthening precious roots
Completely and Endearingly


And so I stand next to my daughter with dignity
Patiently watering the flower
Showing and teaching her about life
Tirelessly and steadily


Copyright ©Angel
All Rights Reserved



My Mom, and Dad, used to LOVE listening me perform with the Church Choir, for 13 years, in each years performance of Handel's 'The Messiah'...

I hope you enjoy these little snippets of The Messiah.

Click 'PLAY' to begin listening

 






12:18 PM - 7 Comments - 4 Kudos - Add Comment

March 28, 2008 - Friday

My Mom ~ update2
Current mood: blah
Category: Writing and Poetry

My Mother just passed.

20 minutes after I left, 15 Minutes after posting my last Blog.

 

She is now an Angel.

I will be posting later right now I have to get back to my Moms bedside &I cant type anymore.......

Love,

~~~Angel

8:26 PM - 4 Comments - 0 Kudos - Add Comment

My Mom.. update
Current mood: blessed
Category: Writing and Poetry

Most of you have read my updates but for those that haven’t, my previous Blog (to this one) has more information...

 

I have not been posting updates because, for a few days, her condition had ’plateaued’ and there wasn’t really anything new to tell.

I have been going daily, up to 3 times a day, to talk to her and be with her and Dad....
In the past couple of days, however, there have been significant changes.

Yesterday, her blood O2 level had dropped from 99 to 64ish.
Today, that remains the same but NOW... her breathing has gone from even-breaths to super-fast short breaths.
She cannot see and her eyes stay closed but whenever I let her know that I am there, her right eye will fill with tears...the same happens when any of the kids and my Dad let her know they’re there too.

She no longer tries to speak but she tries to ’push’ the fluid, that has collected in her throat, out, by painfully coughing.
They give her Morphine and something in patch-form to help ’dry up’ the gook in her throat...
since she no longer has the ability to swallow.

Her fingernails toenails and nose arent getting the circulation and are swollon and changing color...

They give her only 24 hours at this point...

And we all have made our peace  and have accepted that soon she will be an Angel... OUR Angel... and no longer in pain.

Right now I am totally numb.
I feel ’stoned’ and am wobbly.
Im trying to hold it together so much, for my Dad needs me like never before...
and my kids need me for that IS, after all, their Gramma.

Ive felt all your prayers and strength-filled energies and for those I am eternally grateful....
please keep sending them our way. *hug

I gotta go now as the screen is blurry now (I am so tired....)
but I will keep you posted....

I just wanted to let you all know that your energies and strengths and prayers have given us peace....

and have also given my Mom strength and peace for her new-life’s journey to Heaven.

With much love from my heart,
peace blessings and light to you & yours,

~~~Angel

7:35 PM - 2 Comments - 0 Kudos - Add Comment

March 19, 2008 - Wednesday

My Mom ~ my Heart **** UPdated 3/19 ****
Current mood: drained
Category: Writing and Poetry

this text =          Original Post (Day 3)
TEAL text =      3/16/08 update (Day 5)
light RED text = 3/18/08 update. (Day 7)
Orange text =    3/19/08 update (Day 8)


(Scroll to read each update)

Some of my Moms Favorite Music
(click the PLAY button or a song, to start listening) :
 








(Day 3 of Mom’s major dimentia & loss of sight & speech)
My Mom~My Heart & Life


In 2003 I packed up
The kids, the pets, our house
Gassed up the car
Drove across the country
Coast to coast
To begin a new life

To help my parents
With love, patience, care
My Mom’s Alzheimers
Slowly draining away
Head to toe
My Mothers life

In 2008 I woke up
Phone ringing, wailing, calling
My mother had fallen, her hip had broken
And it took a month
But from day to day
Her healing progressed

A month had gone by
Progress slow but apparent, hopeful
But, suddenly, four days ago
Mother got sick
Hour by hour
Her healing regressed


Pneumonia set in
Lingering, looming, hurting
Mother’s dimentia peaked
And yesterday afternoon
Minute by minute
I saw her fight for each breath

My heart aches
Crying, reaching out, strengthening
Dad’s heart is breaking
And last night
Over and over
I held him, my shoulder wet with his tears

My spirit cries
Not knowing, disbelieving, weeping
Mom’s body is dying
And later today
Family and friends
Will gather together for the first time in years


My fingers fly
Trying to explain, relate, proclaim
She has ’only days..’
So day by day
I am visibly strong
While sorrow wreaks havoc inside

The battle’s begun
Between Quality-Of-Life and Peace-Everlasting
My soul wants her to have Peace
But time and time again
My heart wrenches
Wishing to have my Mother back again


-------------------------------------------------------


Dearest family, friends & readers,
I humbly ask for your prayers, energizing strength-filled thoughts during this difficult time.
My brothers arrive tonight; my Uncle, Aunt and other family members will probably be here this weekend.
I do not know what strength lies within me but whatever I have it is all going to my Dad as his heart remains with my Mom; there, in that hospital room, 24/7.


Dad needs me, along with God, to help hold him up and carry him through this and I don’t know any other way than this to accomplish that task than to be openly caring, loving and steady while breaking down in private.

In 2001, when I found out my Mother was diagnosed with Alzheimers,
I wrote the poem A Mothers Circle (posted Aug. 27, 2007, on here) .
It is, and was, for her.
Because I love my Mom... she’s taught me so much.
( I don’t know how to make a working hyperlink on here.. it keeps giving me errors and wont go to the poem itself , so use the ’date-search’ to find it if you want to read it) 


Thank you for everything, and for your prayers and thoughts.
Peace, blessings and light,
~~~Angel (3/14/08)







Update 3/16/08 Day 5:

Yesterday my oldest daughter & my brothers came into town and we all went to visit Mom and speak to certain people regarding her care.
This was because my Mom  had prepared a "directive" and "Living Will" 12 years ago before Alzheimers took ahold of her faculties.

Since it was apparent that no progressive movement was happening, healthwise, and since herdirective stated "no feeding tube+no ventilator... etc etc", feeding tube and hydration tube were removed yesterday afternoon. The feeding tube was hurting her and causing her pain anyway, and it just about broke Dad down, but we had to abide by her wishes.

The QUALITY of life took priority over QUANTITY of life. So... as much as we would have liked to see everything done to make her well again, we chose to give her QUALITY of life.

She was then placed in "Hospice Care" in the hospital until a room opens up within the renowned Hospice House in town. There, we will beable to spend nights with her and she would be in a ’regular’ bed. Described to us as ’it’s like an upper-class Hotel Suite complete with a patio, 2 bedrooms, a small kitchen and fridge...". Basically: a home for the terminal patient and their family.

Her condition is a bit better than the preceeding days because she is much more comfortable, even though the pain from her surgery after she fell still bugs her from time to time (she keeps reaching for her leg whenever she moans)


The Edema, from the IV Fluids not being distributed properly by her system, is now going away. Because of that, she is in much less pain than yesterday, thank God.
It would appear she cannot truly SEE, but she does open her eyes once in a while. They do not move independently, however, so she moves her whole head to ’see’ us.
She cannot speak; she mostly moans or cries out, when in pain. Small words are discernable every now and then, such as "Mama" and "no".

She now has "NPO" on her room door for the Dr.s and Nurses to see/ This means she is to get nothing by mouth. So all they do now is put lip balm on her lips to keep them from drying out and cracking.


For those who believe, a small miracle occurred the other day.

It’s been 2.5 weeks since Mom was able to say more than 8 words in a row.
2.5 weeks of nothingbut moans, groans and crying out.
The other night I saw her for the first time and, as I was leaving her room, I looked back at her and said "I love you Mommy" (loudly.. cos she can bearly hear) and she let out a very loud "ILOVEYOUTOOOO" within a moan (if that makes sense).
It brought me to my knees right there in the hallway. For Dad’s sake Ive been grieving in private, in my own house, away from others. For his sake Ive been HIS rock helping to keep HIM steady.
Yet, for all my efforts to hold back until I was home, I couldn’t hold back and those 2 or 3 seconds turned me to mush.
I thought she was asleep; I thought she couldn’t speak anymore. But she HAD heard me, AND responded.
The nurse had to pick me up; my legs felt like Jell-O.
My face was soaked with tears.
The good thing about this is that DAD heard it too.
So, we just stood there holding each other, glad that she heard me say it and more glad to hear her say it back.
Since then it’s just been "Mamaaa" and strings of  "no"’s here and there.
Her "I love you too!" was our miracle.


We continue to hold onto the little miracles which occur each day; small things but meaningful things... at least, to US they are.

How much time she has left is something we don’t know.
For my part, I am at peace no matter what or when... I know that her pain will end and at that point in time she will become an Angel who will be with me always and no matter what.

All I can do right now is pray, hold onto faith, and be here for my Dad and my kids to help hold them up and help guide them through this. 


Thanks for ALL of your prayers, thoughts, and energies through this difficult time.
We DO feel it...and it’s working; if it weren’t, I’d have collapsed long ago and not been able to hold up Dad such as I have been.


According to our Pastor, I am "emanating strength that no other would have had... that [they’ve] never seen before".

Yes, to all of you, it’s working.


Love,
~~~Angel





Update: 3/18/08 Day 7


Another day, another hourly ’waiting game’. *sighs*
Mom’s transfer to the Hospice was successful and she seems to like it a LOT.
She is visibly more comfortable there, and we are more comfortable also.


Her ’gown’ is more or less like a duster; an old fashioned nightgown, and they change it daily. Each one has a different pattern on it so it is more like she is wearing pajamas.

She has a handmade quilt, donated by local people (there’s one on each bed, for each patient, by the way), and it keeps her warm and comfy and feels good under her hands which rest upon it occasionally.  Much softer than the hospital’s ’blanket’ which is kind of rough to the touch.

They keep her hair brushed, her teeth clean, her lips moist, her nostrils clean (she has an oxygen thingymabob which is at the bottom of each nostril... which keeps in place by going behind each ear) and they sponge-bathe her twice daily.

They’ve brought in a boom-box, which is constantly playing her favorite music: Classical.

The Edema in her hands has gone down but a bit still remains. Her thighs are normal size again, and her feet, but her hands are still a bit swollen.


The kids didn’t want to go see her when she was in the hospital but miraculously, last night, they chose to see her and say their goodbyes. It was heartwrenching but we honored their decision, especially since she LOOKS a lot more like ’Gramma’ now that she is in Hospice & out of the ’clinical’ environment .

It was clear that she knew they were there; she kept trying to talk, a function she lost 2 weeks ago, but they understood and petted her hair and kissed her forehead and cheek.

The Doctor told me and Dad, yesterday afternoon, that one of her lungs is now full of liquid. He had no estimate of how long it would be for the other one to fill up but it won’t be long.

They’re giving her something to control the ’gurgling’ (from a buildup of fluid on her vocal chords) and to dry it up since she has lost her ability to swallow and cough productively.


She opens her eyes now and then but not widely; only about halfway. My own personal feeling is that her moans and groans, while we thought it was from pain, at first, are attempts to speak to us.
Sometimes I can hear words, although mumbled and ’mushed-together’, ....
"I wanna go..."
"Hi...."
"Love...."
" ’fraid..." (afraid)
"Mama..."
and yesterday, after I told her "It’s me, your baby girl [my name here]", she said "MyBaby..." a few times over the span of 3 hours.

I began saying "Jack’s here..." instead of  "Daddy’s here too" because the last time I saw her, when she was coherent, she seemed to be stuck in the early days of her marriage to Dad.
Whenever I said "Jack’s here..." she would move her head as if looking around for him and mumble "Jaaaa....."


I rested my head on her shoulder a few times yesterday.
I spoke to her privately during those times, even though Pastor and Dad were there, and told her to not be afraid...
that the pain and hurt would be gone soon....
that she couldn’t go ("I wanna go....") because the bed wouldn’t fit into our car but ....
she would be able to go soon. That God ("... Gaaaahhhd....") would open the gates for her and she would be home.

It helped me, and Im not sure but I hope those private moments gave her some peace and helped her to not be "..’fraid....." as much anymore.


Since my Mom isn’t as agitated as before I firmly believe that all your prayers and energies are not only working on me and my family, but are touching her as well.


Thank you, with all my heart, thank you.

and I will be updating again later tonight or tomorrow.


Love,
~~~Angel





Hi everyone... 3/19/08 Day 8


Today = another day. *sigh*
BOY my Mom is strong *meek smile*
Her body temperature is 98degrees (f) which is normal, and shes still here....


Last night they began giving her Atavan (sp?) for her anxiety.
One of the Dr’s thought her moaning wasn’t so much her being in pain, because of the monstrous amounts of Morphine being given, but moreso due to her frustration with not being able to speak...
not being a