Consummatum est

"It is finished."

After a truly ghastly and horrible day yesterday that left us all traumatised, mum gave up the ghost at 11:50 this morning.

My sister's husband Terry had walked from their city hotel through Kings Park to the hospital earlier, while Lee went to put together a basket of cup cakes and lamingtons for the amazing and wonderful people working in the intensive care unit and came to pick me up.

When he arrived mum was still labouring on, refusing to let go. But it was beyond even her great heart that had so stubbornly refused to stop beating.

So he was able to be with her at the end. I know when you marry someone you become part of their family, but Terry is PART of this family. Of course he is Liam's dad, but it means that Louisa, Angela and Graham have two dads who love and care for them.

It makes a difference too that we have a brigadier general to take charge of things.

(Though we have been able to have a joke that she managed to make the tough ex-SAS officer cry.)

But she was not only being a mum right up until the end, but a grandmother and great grandmother. Her great granddaughter Emily adored her.

Mum meanwhile simply adored us all.

Rest eternal grant unto her; and may light perpetual shine upon her.

Alleluia.
May flights of angels sing thee to thy rest.
Alleluia.
Remember me, O Lord, when you come into your kingdom.
Alleluia.
Give rest, O Lord, to your handmaid who has fallen asleep.
Alleluia.
The Choir of Saints have found the well-spring of life and door of Paradise.
Alleluia.
Life: a shadow and a dream.
Alleluia.
Weeping at the grave creates the song:
Alleluia.
Come, enjoy rewards and crowns I have prepared for you.
Alleluia.

Song for Athene

John Tavener

Posted via email from Garth's posterous