Through an open door

On Monday morning, January 31st, my Mom never really woke up. She communicated a little bit in the morning when she was uncomfortable and told us that by shaking her head yes or no. The rest of the day we got very little to no response. By Tuesday we knew she only had days left. Both the hospice nurse and my Aunt did not feel that she was going to pass Tuesday so the boys readied their bags for when the time was closer and I headed out around 4:00 to pick my boys up and take them to Disneyland. It was the perfect Disneyland day - no lines and nice weather. But for the first time in my life I did not want to be there. On the way over I talked to a friend and told her I didn't feel comfortable leaving my Mom's side anymore and after this trip I wouldn't be leaving again until after she passed. It was so important for me to be there and hold her hand through that experience since I knew she had feared that moment.

We went on the Submarines and my heart felt heavier. Davis was pleading for Small World and Beckham wanted to go on the Teacups. I promised we could do the Teacups after Small World. About half way through the ride my heart started racing and it became difficult to breathe. The only way I can describe what I felt is to say that I had an overwhelming urge to get off that ride at any costs. I closed my eyes and took deep breaths thinking this must be what people describe as a panic attack. I was thinking of calling my cousin to come get us because I didn't know if I could drive home. By the end of the ride it was not better. I was starting to panic and I KNEW I had to get home right then.

When we finally got off the ride I threw the boys in the stroller and promised them McDonald's if we could leave without the teacups. They were not happy but I made big promises of ice cream as we RAN to the monorail station. When we got to the top I searched frantically for my phone to call home. There was a missed call 1 minute earlier from my Dad. I called him back and he said, "Auntie says you need to come home right now."

Back at the house right about the time my heart started pounding my Moms blood pressure dropped to around 80 over 48. Her breathing wasn't regular and her pulse was over 120 beats a minute. My Aunt grabbed her and told her, "You have to wait for Lisa!" My Dad called our dear friend President Mitchell and he and his sweet wife Lorayne came over. My Dad and President Mitchell gave my Mom a preisthood blessing that she would be able to hang on until her children arrived. My Dad had been inspired to turn her BiPaP machine pressure up and that miraculously seemed to stabilize her breathing more.

I think I made it from the monorail station in Disneyland to her side in about 20 minutes flat. Traffic parted, kids cooperated, and I sprinted like a crazy possessed woman but I arrived home around 6:30. I went to my Moms side and thanked her for not only waiting for me but also for warning me.


That will always be one of the most miraculous experiences of my life. I know that she warned me that I needed to get home and the minute her heart started racing so did mine. That simple sweet gesture will always serve as a reminder of my Moms love and as a reminder of the connection we had. While we may live in different realms of existence now we are still connected and always will be. I sat with her for a time as her blood pressure and breathing stabilized. Her pulse was still racing but it seemed like she was going to hang on for her sons to arrive.


The best news - she was "comfortable" - in a blissful state beyond pain.

All of a sudden it hit me how much my Mom would want the boys to come say goodbye also. Our sweet Bishop's wife Quenta (who I had frantically called on my way home to come care for my boys so I could be totally present when I got home) and Lorayne had fed the boys upstairs and got them ready for bed.

Davis came down first to say goodnight to Grandma.


He gave her kisses and sang her his favorite song - We are a Happy Family.

I love Grandma, she loves me.
We love Grandpa, yes siree.
They love us and so you see, we are a happy family.

He told her he loved her and said goodnight.

Then it was Beckham turn to say "night night."


He sang her his favorite song - The ABC's

The Hatch family was sweet enough to take the boys to their home for a slumber party and then to school the next day for us.

My blessed Aunt and cousin were there each step of the way and helped hold us all together and understand what was happening. What a blessing it was to have my Aunt, who was a nurse, be the one walking us through the night as things progressed.


Kelly's husband Brian ran errands for us and our comfort before coming to say goodbye. For their support and patience I will always be grateful.


Mark, Lisa and Kam arrived and were able to spend some time with her alone and Kam was able to wish her goodnight.


Brian was scheduled to arrive around 10:30 and John around 12:30. Around 10:00 her breathing changed and the BiPaP was only inflating her lungs about every 4th breath. Her blood pressure also dropped again to around 80 over 50. We all sat with her as we waited for Brian to arrive, which he did at around 10:25.


We each sat holding her in some way while listened to the amazingly peaceful CD created by Kim Reed. One of the last songs on the CD is the song Going Home and it was playing during that tender time.

Going home, going home
I'm just going home
Quiet light, some still day
I'm just going home

It's not far, just close by
Through an open door
Work all done, care laid by
Going to fear no more

Mother's there expecting me
Father's waiting, too
Lots of folk gathered there
All the friends I knew
I'm going home

Nothing's lost, all's gain
No more fret nor pain
No more stumbling on the way
No more longing for the day
Going to roam no more

Morning star lights the way
Restless dream all done
Shadows gone, break of day
Real life begun

There's no break, there's no end
Just a living on
Wide awake with a smile
Going on and on

Going home, going home
I'm just going home
It's not far, just close by
Through an open door
I am going home

What we experienced and what we felt are too precious to write in such a public setting like this. But there was one moment I did want to share. My Moms eyes had been closed for days but right at the end her eyes suddenly opened wide and her deep brown eyes shone bright and were filled with light giving them an almost amber color. It was at that moment I knew she was seeing the other side of the veil and the light from that world was shining in her eyes. In that moment I believe she crossed from this life to eternal life. It lasted for a few short moments and then her eyes dulled and closed peacefully forever.

Truly she had gone home.

Caroline Rober's Obituary

Caroline Melissa Braxton Rober, 58, of Brea, California peacefully passed away on Tuesday, February 1st in her home surrounded by her family. Caroline was diagnosed with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis in September and after courageously facing her diagnosis spent the remainder of her life lifting, loving, teaching, and cheering those around her.

Caroline was born on April 23, 1952 in San Bernardino, California to Robert Charles Braxton and Gloria Lou Tabor. She joined the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints at the age of 17 and remained dedicated to her faith throughout her entire life. She married Larry Lee Rober on August 30, 1975 in Santa Monica, California. They spent 35 happy years living in Southern California and were sealed for time and all eternity in the Los Angeles Temple on November 12, 1990.

Caroline was a dedicated stay at home Mother for their three children. When she sent her last son off to college she fulfilled her dreams of becoming a full time professional genealogist. She started as a volunteer at the Orange County Family History Center and went on to become the Technical Services Director and later Staff Trainer for the Center. She served as President of the Southern California Association of Professional Genealogists and was a favorite lecturer for Genealogical Societies all over the region. She helped coordinate the first booth at the Orange County Fair for the APG and was deeply involved in the fair for 5 years.

Her greatest joy and pleasure was being Grandma Silly to her 7 grandchildren. She loved to do genealogy research, read, walk, organize, visit her family, help those in need, and everything Christmas. She lived her life with passion, dedication, hard work, and above all selflessness and unconditional love.

She is survived by her devoted husband, Larry; son Brian Rober of San Luis Obispo; son Mark Rober of Valencia; daughter Lisa Henderson of St. George Utah ; 7 grandchildren; her father Bob Braxton of Palm Desert; and sister Pam Daut of Indio. She was preceded in death by her mother Gloria Braxton.

Her faith, pure heart, and indomitable spirit will be sorely missed.

Funeral

Thank you all for your messages of love today. Mark stayed up all night making that beautiful tribute to our Mom and I'm glad to hear how touching you have all found it. I find myself watching it over and over again. Thank you Mark.

The funeral services for our sweet Caroline will be this Tuesday, February 8th at the Livingston Stake Center - 210 Livingston Ave, Placentia, CA. There will be a viewing beginning at 10:00 am and the funeral service will begin at 11:00. We invite you all to the graveside service following the funeral and then a luncheon back at the Livingston Stake Center.

Hello Friends from your Sweet Caroline!

Its been a while since Ive said hi.

I am so comfortable at this moment I can hardly keep my eyes open. Ive been drifting in and out of sleep all day. Its been wonderful to feel so peaceful, especially during the evening time. It seems we have finally crested the hill past the anxiety and discomfort I was feeling. I still listen to my music and Harry Potter, I am almost through book #4.

Don't feel sorry for me. Look how good my life is right now!

I have cute boys that sing to me and give me kisses on my mask...


Loved ones who stare at me adoringly and tell me stories of memories we share.


And if that's not enough I get foot rubs all day long.


Don't despair for me...I am at peace!
Love you all!

The beginning of the end

I was completely taken by surprise when we had a light rain this morning. The weather seemed a fitting tribute to the mood of our home. It was somewhat somber but also incredibly peaceful for the first half of the day. My parents had a talk this morning and with my Dads blessing my Mom has decided no longer take any food or fluids.

Hospice came and gave her a catheter and we increased her medications to make her more comfortable. She can not be without her mask for more than a few minutes and we all agree that dehydration is a much more peaceful way to pass than waiting for her breathing to claim her - which is not far off.

This comfort care business is not easy. Her evenings are bad. When we finally got the right medications into her to make her comfortable they had been in long enough to cause nausea. Even with the comfort care nausea medications she threw up - which when you have no diaphragm strength is something like a small burp.

Thankfully we survived the evening and she is sleeping peacefully now after having received a blessing. Tomorrow she will be getting a morphine pump. My comfort care is coming in the form of my Aunt, the nurse, who will be here within the hour and staying with us and guiding my Mom through until the end.

While we have prepared ourselves for this point there is still a sense of disbelief when we find ourselves standing at the threshold. Tonight our hearts resonate with Hymn #128 - When Faith Endures

I will not doubt, I will not fear; God's love and strength are always near.
His promised gift helps me to find an inner strength and peace of mind.
I give the Father willingly my trust, my prayers, humility.
His spirit guides, his love assures that fear departs when faith endures.