A little over forty-seven years ago, this lovely lady gave
birth to this wee guy that would eventually become my witty, caring husband.
Sadly, my mother-in-law passed away tonight after having been hospitalized for 11
days. If the saying is true that every cloud has a silver lining—our silver
lining is that we all had a chance to see her in her last few days and say goodbye. Even though she was unconscious throughout, I truly believe she knew that we were there with her.
It was pure chance and timing that we ended up in Detroit during her last week of life. I had a work-related event, and K and the kids decided to join me during the weekend to spend time with family and friends. We knew that my mother-in-law had gone to the hospital due to complications from pneumonia, but it wasn't until after we landed that we were told how much havoc the pneumonia had wreaked on her already stalling system. By the time we got to the hospital, she was unconscious from morphine
and drugs that they had pumped into her system. She had deteriorated to such a state that it was a (sad) blessing to see her go.
It’s not news that K’s mom had been sick and her body had been on
a steady decline for years. But no matter how much you prepare for it, it’s
hard. K has been a trooper throughout, and I can only imagine how difficult it
must be for him.
Although I never had a chance to get to know her too well—distance
and generation gap got in the way—I do know that she loved and raised a
wonderful son. She fueled his curiosity and passion. She taught him to be kind,
for she had a gentle heart herself. She was sentimental and romantic, saving
each and every letter and memento. She was a good mother-in-law to me and loved
the kids.
May you rest in peace, Peggy Koch. You are loved and will be missed.
