Tribute to My Mother

Tribute to My Mother

Helen Eileen Overa Thompson de Brose

My mother and I... the Beginning

It's been 2 years today July 21st, since my mother passed away, Helen Eileen Overa Thompson de Brose. I will never forget that day. she had been in a nursing home for quite some time due to dealing with dementia and other issues. the last years I had spent time every week doing video calls with her through Zoom, and I used to sing to her "Over the Rainbow" every time, her favorite song. She many times responded with tears in her eyes, saying, "it's so nice."

Thank goodness she was always cognitive, you could have a wonderful conversation with her and it was always pleasant to talk to her, all the way to the end.

 However, she did not remember who you were sometimes or where she was or what she was doing. She forgot everything that had happened a moment ago.  I also tried to call her every other day and just tell her that I loved her and would also sing to her over the phone. 

On the day she moved on, I remember something woke me up early. my phone was going crazy, sending me constant text messages dialing 001-800 1010 all these different numbers, and I knew something was going on. I really believe in angels and that they communicate to us in different forms, this was definitely a message that hey were transmitting. I knew I had to do something. Normally I would pick up my father and we would go visit her around noon or 1:00 p.m., however this day I got ready and appeared in his house at 9:00 a.m. without calling him. 

"We have to go, "I told him "I think she's leaving us. "

He got ready and we went and when we arrived at the nursing home she was in a really bad critical state, I had never seen her like that. And I knew something serious was going on. The nurses explained that that happened many times with other patients as well when they were getting ready to move on. They kept her comfortable as best as they knew how.

Through that time, we were trying to get the best care for her, and we found this wonderful company in hospice, I did not know how long she was going to be in that state however all the signs had indicated something was happening that day. 

I felt divided between her and my dad. So, I went to sit by her bed and put healing energy through her whole body, which I did every time I visited her in person since I moved to Iowa to watch over her and my dad.

I just sat by her and all of a sudden telepathically she kept sending me the word, Papi, Papi, which is my dad. I ran to the lobby where he was sitting waiting patiently not knowing what to do himself. And I told him it's "Time to Say goodbye, go sit by her and talk to her and tell her what you have in your heart and say goodbye." I did not know what else to do, neither did he.

He went into her room, and sat there for a while and talked to her. I stepped out until my father came to the lobby again where I waited for him. They had been married for 67 years.

I went back into her room and I sat by her and I didn't know what to do next. Her eyes were semi opened. My brother who we were hoping would get there in time to see her before she left, could not make it. He always was her eyes,  in the middle of the madness I grabbed my phone and called my brother on a video call, and I told him that this was his only chance to say goodbye. And when he saw my mother in the state she was in, he was surprised, I put the phone in front of my mother in hopes she would see him, feel him. 

I told her, "this is your son Thomas, look at the video it's him. He is here, now. " She looked into the video as my brother was able to tell her a couple words. Then he spoke to me and said, this is no life for her. We always wondered why my mother was holding on for so long. In that moment I understood the deep connection my brother and my mother's souls had.

I then just sat there not knowing what to do, so I started singing "over the Rainbow. And she started leaving her body. But then something told me to wait, that's when I remembered to call my brother.

then after that I didn't know what to do next. So I went and grabbed the doctor, who was right by the hallway, and I told him you got to do something. Then the doctor went in. As I waited outside he came out of the room and aske , " where's your father?" we went to the lobby and he looked at my dad and he says: "Your wife is quite sick," to which I thought, "noooo, you're kidding? right, what makes you think that?" But I kept my mouth shut. 

He went on explaining that she perhaps not going to make it through the night.  despite that he said he had the prescribe some medicine to appease her.

And then I told my dad I just want to go sit with her. So, I went and sat with her, and I felt divided because I wanted to sit with her until she passed away. But we were not sure if she was going to pass away that day even if everything indicated that she was. We had already hired the best hospice company in case of need, and I trusted they would take good care of her. 

Seeing that my father was tired I went and got him. Wwe had already said our goodbyes to her. We left the facilities, my heart torn, I took my dad to run some errands. Then drove him back home about a half an hour away.

As my father got in the car all he could say was "well I think it's the last time we're going to see her. After I drop ped him off I drove to my apartment and arrived beyond exhausted.

That afternoon at 5:00 I got the phone call from the nurse who said she did just passed away,  my heart churned because I wish I could have been here all the way to the end. 

 The nurse explained to me that she had grabbed her hand and in that moment she had taken her last breath. Through thousands of tears, I called hospice to let him know we no longer needed their services. It was one of the hardest days of my life and yet it was such a relief to see her being free for what she had been dealing with so many years. 

Everyone in the family was always there for her in their own way. All her children, grandchildren and family. My father visited her diligently even in 20°   below zero weather and through intense heavy snow storms. We all loved her very much  and were grateful she was well taken care of all the way

                                         

I'm sharing this story because she was always strong and always present despite what she was dealing with. She was always smiling she was always being so full of strength and positivity in her spirit, very strong and powerful spirit.  Many of us have family dealing with Alzheimer's, dementia and the like. It is not easy, sometimes very sad. Even if they forget who you are. They always feel your love and presence as a soul. Call them often, fill their rooms with beautiful music, and colors. 

 Through the few times I was able to have zooms with her she would come through as a soul and give me clear messages. She still does that today; she comes to me in my dreams. she comes to visit me often.  I can feel her presence around me many times.  Even now as I write this, out of nowhere a song started playing on my phone, entitled. "RAY OF HOPE" that I have never heard of before. See?

 One of the things I regret is that we both always had so many differences between us, and I wish I would have gotten to know her better. 

The reason I'm share this story is because I know she would want me to share it in hopes that it will shed some light or some hope to someone. She always had that frame of mind. She would tell me, "I don't mind if you share that, it may help someone."

She owned a bookstore in Guatemala for over 30 years "Vista Hermosa Bookshop"  and eventually her own publishing company where she published several books.

In those days we used to own in company, a helicopter, a small airplane and several cars in the garage. Yet, she would always walk 2 miles to the bookstore and back, every day.  She would always tell me "I do it in hopes that people will realize how important it is to exercise."

She opened AlAnon in English in Guatemala.  She helped so many people throughout her life, through her bookstore and in many other ways. She was a really good mother, powerful woman and a powerful soul. An amazing Spirit. She was always curious and looking for the next adventure. She really loved life and liked to explore it!

Wherever you are Mama I know we will see each other again. We are only a thin veil apart, and I know someday we will meet again and hug each other in laughter for the choices we made in this lifetime. 

in the near end

a very precious and important moment

when our souls reunited

You will always be in my heart... always...