Niawenhko:wa

On January 6, 2008, my Mom passed away. She had been living with kidney failure for the past four years. At first she did not want any of her children to know her condition. She kept it to herself-not wanting any of her children to worry or fuss over her. Which is exactly what we did in an effort to keep her with us for as long as we selfishly could. We almost lost her a couple of times in the last two years, but she came back to us. Rallied, if you will, by all the love that her family and extended family brought to her bedside in the hospital.

Listening to different people speaking fondly of my Mom-she mentioned she wanted to wait for the holidays to be over before making her exit. During the week of January 3, her health began to decline rapidly. My sister, brother and I were accompanying her on what we thought would be a routine check up in the hospital in Ottawa; admittance, antibiotic course administered, two-day hospital visit and then come home where family and home support and community health nurses would care for Mom. The three of us left the hospital approximately 6:45 AM, Mom left our world approximately 8 AM. Mom took this time to quietly step in to the open arms of my Father who had passed away eight years previous.

As word spread about Mom’s passing, the support for our family came rushing in, neighbours bringing over dishes of food for us, knowing we were not of the mind to cook. And others who just felt the need to keep us busy and if needed a shoulder to cry on.

Our cousins, in-laws, neighbours, and her friends at the Elders Council; Mom treated all as family. She held her Godchildren in a special place in her heart, she loved them as her own children.

It is with a heavy heart and deep appreciation that my family thank all those who stopped in to our house or to feed us.

We thank the community for all the donations of food and money. To the two young men who stopped in to shovel the driveway and preferred to keep their names anonymous-thank you; you said it was for Mrs. King, your teacher.

A special thanks and all of our love to Gordie King and Mom’s nephews and grandsons who were pall bearers; Auntie Annie, Auntie Mary and Auntie Sharon for keeping us company during the long night’s vigil. And lastly -though not least, the Elder’s Council, for your support to our family during this very difficult time.

In deepest appreciation, our family thanks you.

The children of the late Anne Elizabeth (David) King