My mother passed away peacefully today at 11:40pm at night. We suspected it was coming soon, but did not know exactly when. I last talked to her about a week ago when passing through Garland, UT in the spring time. I called and told her she would probably never see her birthplace again in this life so I was going to describe it to her on this beautiful spring afternoon with the snow shining, yet snow falling, on new lambs in the fields. We had a great conversation. I called my Dad today to see how she was doing and he said "fine" so I thought we'd have another few weeks.
No one has died in our family for decades. All my children still have both sets of grandparents. We have had many four generational pictures. So I didn't know quite what to expect. Here is what I texted to my immediate brothers and sisters and in turn my children that evening about their grandmother, Jean Richards Dance. Death is a special time for a family and bonding together. I love my mother, father, all my brothers, sisters, and children.
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I
am now fully awake thinking wonderful thoughts of Mom being with her parents
Nona and Papa, her brother Grant and Sister Ruth, and her son Grant. Others too
but that is the inner circle. She is probably wriggling her toes in the dirt
like Jake did in Avatar and running with the wind or perhaps soaring. A special
time for her tonight.
What would we do without all of you: Alan was there at a moments notice, Linda
and Anna timed things perfectly, John released her from this life, and Diane
was her nursemaid and care taker.
I felt it was coming soon and asked Dad this afternoon if Julienne and I should
this come this weekend. No he said, she is doing fine . I wanted to talk to Mom
one last time but the portable phone was already off and the WW II movie back
on before it could be transferred.
Tom and Kim were going to visit tomorrow during their layover flight in
Seattle.
But I have no regrets. Mom knew she was loved and cared for. She was able to
see the entire video of memories. She left posterity a message on the video
Frank McCord made. She didn't throw away her VHS tapes yet of how to care for
your Corian countertops. We got most of her stories and at the reunion honored
the Richard's line.
I think it was a full live, well lived.
She will occupy her seat with her ancestors and now we must do our part to join
her.
We live in a glorious age with the gospel knowledge that we have. I look forward
to seeing you all soon.
Diane we all have special feelings for you being the family representative to
our mother this past few months. We love you and thank you for a job well done.
Richard
Sent from my iPhone
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