Decorating for Christmas made me think back to a very special Christmas and I thought I would share a bit of it with you.
Christmas 1999. Getting ready for the new Millenium and hoping that nasty Y2K bug wouldn't bite us. Our son Joey was still married to Kathy and they had us up to their home in New Jersey for Christmas that year. They also had a big family get-together on December 27th. It was such a great celebration for the entire D'Orsaneo family. All the brothers and their families were there.
Chrismas morning. Joe and his mom under the mistletoe. One of my all-time favorite photos.
Mom D'Orsaneo and Tristan (great-grandson).
The entire family. I don't think anyone was missing, except Debbie and me - we were taking the pictures.
The night of the 27th, when everyone had gone home and we were all going to bed, Mom's aortic aneurysm burst and she died. We all knew she had one. It wasn't fast, but there wasn't anything we could do. By the time the EMTs arrived, she was gone. She actually died in my arms. Of course, we were very sad, but thinking back, what better way for her to go. The entire family had been together and she had been surrounded by so much love. We called her our Millennial Angel. Still do.
Thanks for visiting my Throwback Tuesday! Peace & hugs!
{{{{Terri}}}} so sorry....
ReplyDeleteA sad, but sweet memory as well. You are blessed to be a part of such a large family.
ReplyDeleteWow that is a big family. Thanks for sharing such a sad + special memory.
ReplyDeleteMy grandfather died at 90 of an aortic aneurysm and I am so glad he lived well up until that time. So glad y'all had a good visit that Christmas.
ReplyDeleteMust have taken a lot of turkey!!
ReplyDeleteNo turkey on the 27th. Italian food galore.
DeleteWow! That's a big family! I think it was great that she got to see everyone for Christmas. I know it was a blessing for her. :)
ReplyDeleteOh wow... that is just so emotional.
ReplyDeleteI'm sure you feel like it was an honor in a way that you were holding her in those moments.
Oh, what a bittersweet memory. Yes, I'm sure she was very, very happy that all of her family was together. What a great way to leave this old world!!! Thanks so much for sharing, sweet Lady.
ReplyDeleteI'm so sorry that you had to endure that yet what a beautiful and very loving story. She was indeed blessed to go that way. We should all be so lucky. I'm originally from NJ. Do you remember where you were there?
ReplyDeleteBee Bee, it was just across the river from Philly - more like a suburb and at this moment I can't think of the mailing address. Too long ago.
DeleteLosing someone is always sad but I'm sure if she could have picked a time for that aneurism to go it would be after spending quality time with all the family. Hugs to you Terri.
ReplyDeleteA bitter sweet memory. Thank you for sharing that with us. I look forward to hugging your MIL in Heaven and telling her we knew each other. ~:)
ReplyDeleteWow...what an amazing story...to think that God arranged that family gathering so that you could all be together that one last time and have such a happy time together, and then called your mother in law home to heaven with such a great send off from her family. I know it had to have been a very hard time then, but when you look back and think how God timed everything so perfectly, it shows us a glimpse of His great love for us. That was very touching.
ReplyDeleteWoW...that is sad and yet, it's not. What a wonderful time she had with her family before God called her home. Thanks for sharing this special memory with us, it truly touched my heart.
ReplyDeleteWow. I totally echo Pamela's sentiments!
ReplyDeleteYour Millennial Angel will never be forgotten. Thank you for giving me pause tonight.
Oh Terry! The mixed blessings in life. What a memory. Thank you for sharing it. How wonderful to have had all the family together.
ReplyDeleteWow Terri, that is a heartbreaking story but I agree that there's happiness in it as well. She was with her family and had been with her loved ones right till the end. Sending hugs.
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