Well, Aaron did get to go to Disney. She, Glenda, the kids and Paula (friend and Hospice aide) with Paula's daughter flew to Orlando on June 2. Aaron's brother Adam and his wife Shauna met them there. Aaron was well enough to only go on one ride - but Tif had a wonderful time with Adam and Shauna and Kyle had a lot of fun with Paula. Aaron was brought back to NY via ICU Jet on Thursday and immediately went to the hospital.
She had ups and downs over the course of the next two weeks. Ann Marie came from Denver as did Aaron's dad. Aunt Kim came from KY for about a week. Two weeks to the day that Aaron came back to NY, she started telling us goodbye. On Friday she slept all day and Saturday and Sunday were hard days for her. As hard as it was for me to watch Aaron struggle for every breath, I can not begin to imagine how it felt for her family.
She kept her sense of humor up till the end with occasional wisecracks and jokes. At one point on Sunday she turned to her mom and asked if she was an angel. Glenda said "no, baby, you don't have your wings yet." Aaron sighed and said "I don't want to be an angel." I have so much admiration and respect for Aaron - she rarely complained, she hardly wanted to ask for something from anyone even the last few weeks when any one of us would have tried to get the world for her. She certainly fought the hard and good fight.
Aaron passed away just about 7:00 AM on Monday, June 23, 2008. Her funeral service was held yesterday afternoon, three weeks after returning from Disney. The service was conducted by the Spiritual Director of Hospice. She read some poems chosen by Ann Marie as well as some she chose. A video tribute was played and some memories of Aaron were shared. She would have loved the video as well as the gathering afterwards.
I am a better person for having Aaron in my life. She sometimes drove me crazy, but I always loved her. She will be missed. Eventually I will add some more stories about Aaron for her kids. I think it will be a little while before that happens though.
Below is Aaron's video montage.
Friday, June 27, 2008
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