Mary Moves to Texas...A Heart-Wrenching Goodbye

Most of you know that for the past two years we have been living with and taking care of an 84 year old woman named Mary Wallmann.  It started as a financial life-saving opportunity to get free rent in one of the most expensive areas EVER.  However, in that time we spent together we totally became family.  We have been through a LOT together.  She was the first to find out I was pregnant (because she opened my mail while we were out of town:), we helped her through some serious medical problems and a few bad falls, she taught us many life lessons and nuggets of wisdom (often the same ones over and over, bless her:), we sang together, watched movies, ate Barney's hamburgers, won a costume award when I dressed her as Mary Poppins for Halloween, we got several nighttime surprise 'visits' at 2:00 am or so, she showed me that you can be positive no matter what your situation, she was there to welcome Liam home from his hospital and has literally been his biggest fan every day since.  I'm not saying it was all fun and games... in fact at times it was the hardest thing I have done in my life.  But there is a strong connection that I have with Mary. It's extremely hard to explain, but I know that we impacted each others' lives in a way that is rare and unforgettable. As her condition worsened, it became apparent that she was getting beyond my ability to care for her. On October 4th she made a big move to Texas to an assisted living center located just a mile away from her son Jim.  It really was a heart-wrenching, tearful, horrible goodbye.  At the same time a huge weight has been lifted from my shoulders.  It's especially comforting knowing that she is in experienced, capable hands that will take good care of her, and she is close to family.  She is an amazing person, and we miss her.  Farewell Mary.