[HANASHIR:16288] RE: please say your prayers for my mom

[Shir Chadash <shir_chadash...>]

Dear Ellen,
Sorry to hear the difficult time you are having.  I'll put your mother's 
name in the prayers this Shabbat.
Rachelle


>From: "Ellen Allard" <ellen (at) peterandellen(dot)com>
>Reply-To: hanashir (at) shamash(dot)org
>To: <hanashir (at) shamash(dot)org>
>Subject: [HANASHIR:16286] please say your prayers for my mom
>Date: Wed, 24 Dec 2003 14:00:18 -0500
>
>Dear All,
>
>
>
>On Monday, I returned home from south Florida. I went down there because
>my mother's severe emphysema and heart disease landed her once again in
>the hospital and ultimately in a hospice for end-of-life care. I stayed
>for nine days while my three sisters and other close family remained in
>Florida, so someone is with her every day. When I returned to
>Massachusetts, it was suggested that I contact our rabbi and cantor. I
>hadn't considered doing that because our clergy had never met my mom,
>but when I spoke with our cantor, she said "But we know you and we want
>to help you through this." This was enormously comforting, after nine
>days of watching her lose her hold on life. The doctors assure us it
>won't be long before she passes, as she is deteriorating each day. We
>only pray that she passes peacefully and without pain.
>
>
>
>I know that recently there was some discussion about the healing prayer,
>but I confess I didn't pay close attention and so, I actually don't know
>if my request is appropriate or not. But if I may, I ask that you send
>your prayers for a speedy healing, that she be able to let go of her
>fear of death and leave this life feeling some sense of peace. In
>addition to there being absolutely no pain, that is what I hope most for
>her now. Her name is Miriam Bornstein. Her parents were Sadie and Jacob
>Breeskin. These are some photos of Mom and her kids and grandkids. The
>pics were taken this past July, after one of her hospital stays.
>http://f2.pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/nana_mimi_place/my_photos
>
>
>
>She has been a wonderful mother to me, and in some ways, those of you
>who know me, know my mother. She was a strong supporter, pushed me to
>study music, she loved music and especially all Jewish music. I believe
>that she was totally responsible for my pursueing the musical life that
>I now lead. Even through her pain and drug-induced stupor, at one point
>just a few days ago, she began to tell us about the importance of
>family. I asked her, "Mom, what do you want to tell us?". She sang
>"Where do I begin?" and then she hummed the rest of the phrase. I think
>those are the beginning words to a song from either Love Story or maybe
>another movie. At one point, one of her two aides came into the hospital
>for a short visit. Florence reminded me that one of mom's favorite songs
>is "Are You Listening, G-d?" from our new CD. She told me that she and
>my mom sang it quite often. I think Mom especially felt something
>special about that song. She used to tell me that she talked to G-d a
>lot and asked if he/she listened to her. Florence, who I believe is a
>Baptist woman, and I, stood by my mother's bedside and sang the entire
>song, for her.
>
>
>
>Thanks for listening. This has been the most difficult experience I have
>ever had. I am grateful for my faith and for knowing that G-d is
>listening. And Peter and I (and our family) are grateful for your
>thoughts and prayers.
>
>
>
>Ellen Allard
>
>
>

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