Goodbye, Mom

This picture is the last picture taken of me and my mother. This was at a hospital in St. Louis last year.

This morning I learned that my mother, Carol Colclasure, passed away in her sleep last night. I am shocked, saddened and very grieved. According to what I have heard, she died peacefully. We all knew my mother did not have much time left and even a doctor had given her a minimum of 2 months left to live. My mother was a very strong woman and has beaten the odds many times even after surviving the car accident she and I were in. She also survived cancer. She lost both of her legs in her lifetime but she never lost her fighting spirit. She was the strongest woman I have ever known and she taught me how to be strong and stand up for what I believe in.

Not too long ago, after I got the news that she did not have much time left, I wrote this in my personal journal:

""I have been praying for her every day but if it is God's will that Mom goes home to Heaven, then I accept this. Mom has been through so much hell. [Believe me, I was NOT being dramatic here, people.] And I don't want her to suffer anymore. I want her to be at peace, to be without pain and to finally have her rest."

Mom will have her rest now. She devoted so much of herself and her life to other people and now she can finally rest and be without pain. She is at peace and she is with God now. She is now a beautiful angel flying free and reunited with her parents and loved ones who have gone on before.

I love you, Mom. We all love you and will keep you in our hearts forever.