Doris Donais

In the early morning of March 31st (also Landon's 1st Birthday) my Grandma Doris passed away. Her 82 years of life was filled with love and laughter from her husband, four children, 10 grandchildren and 11 great grandchildren (with one more on the way, the little girl she had been waiting for). Although our family is deaply saddened by her passing, we are comforted in knowing that she is eternally in the arms of her husband Orville.

The family gathered around her as she began her journey home. All of her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren had visited her within weeks of her passing. We all had our opportunity to tell her we loved her.

Our trip home was not as smooth and expeditious as I had intended. I got the call she was very ill early Sunday morning and within minutes was searching for same day flights. We had a hard time getting a flight out of Chicago with enough seats for the four of us. Once we did, it wasn’t a direct…we had to fly first to San Diego to catch a connector to Sacramento, arriving at 11:55pm. Our luggage however, didn’t make the connection! Of course it never happens at a “good” time, but I must say that Southwest did their very best in the situation. They put us up in a hotel for the night so that we could come back to the airport to greet the first flight of the morning which would have our luggage on it (this was the most time effective solution for us all).

With the luggage delay, we didn’t get to my mom’s house until early afternoon on Monday (this due in large part to Neverlost which always seems to get me lost). One would think I would know how to get from the airport to my mom’s house by now but in my defense, we usually only head home once a year.

After getting unloaded and changing clothes, we headed to the nursing home to be by her side. Tony, Jayden and Landon all joined me and the other family members around her bed. Our efforts to get home gave me three hours with her; time to tell her we loved her, time to see her once more, and time for her to be near my babies. Although she wasn’t responding much to most of us, she opened her eyes when she heard Jayden giggle and again when she heard Landon babbling. By the time we left the nursing home, it was evident she didn’t have much time left.

In the early morning hours of March 31st, she passed.

My uncle’s family had begun the drive from Vancouver, BC and were scheduled to arrive around noon on Tuesday, March 31st. It’s approximately a 16 hour drive, and my aunt and cousin were switching off driving. With only an hour or so to go, they were hit by a semi truck switching lanes. Although the car was totaled, everyone walked away with only bumps and bruises!

Friday, April 3rd, our family gathered to say goodbye. She will be placed in a mausoleum next to her husband. Ironically, my paternal grandparents are placed across the walkpath so all four of my grandparents are together, facing one another.

I struggle with the reality that she is no longer physically here to participate in my life. I have lost someone so very special to me. However, in a time where we have just moved and feel a little alone, her passing has reminded me through emails/cards of support and sympathy, that we are never truly alone and we are very blessed with the friendships and relationships we have made. Each message has helped lift me up and comfort me, Thank you.