A Punch in the Gut

Life has a funny way of reinforcing lessons you’ve already learned with a punch in the gut.

This may be a function of middle age.

I spent the last few weeks comforting my mom as she slowly passed away from cancer. We had a few long talks towards the end, and she even cracked a few jokes.

She was a science teacher who fully understood the situation — sometimes better the professionals around her.

I don’t think either of us learned anything we didn’t already know. We were just there for each other, which was exactly what she needed.

She could have lived a few more weeks in a hospital, but chose to live a few more days and see her grandchildren one more time in her own home. They performed a talent show for her, and she was able to tell each one of them how special and loved they were.

That’s a decision we’d probably all choose — no new lessons, just a punch in the gut.

P.S. I wrote the above the day my mom died, almost a week ago, not knowing that her wake would be quadruple the size any of us thought. The impact of a good teacher on a community turned out to be the lesson.