[HANASHIR:16300] Re: please say your prayers for my mom

[rahel <rahel...>]

Dear Ellen,

Thank you for sharing so much with us. Your mother will find comfort and 
peace - especially with the help of such a loving and supportive family, 
and from your music! G-d is listening and will help you all through this 
time of transition.

Rahel



At 02:00 PM 12/24/2003 -0500, you wrote:

>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>http://f2.pg.ph 
>otos.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
>
>