Remembering Mom

Today, September 25th marks 15 years of my Mother's (Glenda Kay Cromwell) passing. I remember it all too well like it was yesterday. She was diagnosed at age 40 with breast cancer and was treated with chemotherapy. She would be well for several years and then the disease would spread to another organ. By 1994, the cancer had riddled her body and got very skinny. I'll never forget the night of Saturday, September 24th. My Grandma frantically called as I was getting ready to go out with my then-boyfriend, Steven (and now ex-husband) and close friends. Mom's breathing had become labored and Grandma felt the urgency of Mom going to the Emergency Room. I immediately left my apartment and sped to Cy-Fair Hospital. She was in the ER and the doctor said there was nothing left to be done. Her internal organs were beginning to shut down and all they could do is make her comfortable. I would stand next to the bed talking to her and when she opened her eyes, I knew she was gone. I'm not sure if she knew it was me. We all decided it would be best to send her home for her last hours of life. I then had to make a difficult decision. Do I go back to Grandma's and watch her die? Or, go home to my apartment? I told Grandma that I just couldn't watch her die. At my age of 24, I wasn't ready to handle that kind of emotion. Fifteen years later, I would have definitely been there and take care of her. I drove home to my apartment on early morning hours of September 25th. I knew what was coming and had already accepted her outcome. The phone rang around 6 or 7 am and realized that she had passed. I was overcome with tears and sadness. She was my Mom; we were very close and now she was gone forever. She would never know her beautiful grandchildren, Laurynn and Matthew. She would never know how much her granddaughter looks so much like her.

Laurynn, Matthew and I brought flowers to her grave and had a moment of silence in her honor. Rest in Peace Mom. I love you and miss you!