Gathering

Walking into moms ICU room I found her on a bed with IV’s and a mask forcing oxygen into her mouth.  Her poor mouth was being blown open by the force of it and drying all the tissues down her throat...she looked so miserable.  I said “Hi Mom” and couldn’t keep from tearing up seeing her there.  She looked at me so lovingly and smiled a huge smile.  She nodded an “I love you too” to me and I felt so sad seeing her suffer like that.  I gave her a fresh flower Hawaiian Lei that we brought from Laie and she tried to say something.  Paula handed her a paper and pen and she wrote in her gorgeous handwriting “Thank You”.

Gathering around Mom.  Jennifer was able to fly in the day after we got there. 
It was wonderful to have her there with us. 
Mom has so lovingly acknowledged everyone who comes to see her but she can't talk. 
She makes a sweet "ooohhh" sound and smiles so kindly
and her eyes communicate much feeling.   

The nurses and staff have been so kind and patient with our big group coming and going.  Today was my brother and cousins birthday!  We were given permission to have a little birthday party in the Nurses Station.

Mike and Daren