My mother-in-law died last weekend. She was quite old and had suffered poor health for many years, so it came as no surprise. Still, the final blow was fast. She had an aneurysm that reached critical point. Judging from the size, the doctors say she had probably suffered from it undiagnosed for many years. They refused to operate. Apparently even a healthy young body might not make it through the operation. From the moment she went into the hospital until she died was three days. It could have been minutes or months.
We can’t afford to send the whole family out there right now, so only Mr. Al went to the funeral. The kids hardly remembered her and have not shed a tear. They had already said their goodbyes a few years ago when we went out to visit her specifically for that purpose.
Unlike with poor Jack, my mother-in-law and I got along very well. During her husband’s funeral I became her emotional support, and basked in a special place in her heart from then on. She was a sweet old lady who never really had any idea where I was coming from. I have cried a little. But this loss isn’t devastating.
Mr. Al has been out there for most of a week now. We keep in touch with email and text messaging. His comments have brought me into that world as much as I need to be. I don’t know if I’ve been supportive or not. I just tell him I love him and otherwise act normal.
So I’ve been in this weird place. It’s not really grief, but it’s not exactly happy either. Some of my posts probably reflect that. Sorry about that.
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