Monday, January 19, 2009

Last Day

We finished it tonight, the book that we never guessed would have such a similar ending to our daughter's life.
Liam loved Charlotte's Web, and I read him the chapter tonight called Last Day, and in the end of this chapter, Charlotte dies. I could feel him soften in my arms as I read it, his head drooping slightly as my voice wavered.
There is something just about saying it, "Charlotte died," and for the little grey spider, there was a moment when that happened, a peaceful, mystical passing from the here to the there, she was there, and then she was not.
When you see death like this, as a moment, there is something so amazing and magical about it-- we are here, fully here, until we are not. My daughter lived, and then, in a moment, she died.
I wonder when that moment was, and I wish I knew.

6 comments:

Hope's Mama said...

I wish I knew too, Carol. More to the point I wish I knew a few hours before that moment, so I had time to change the outcome. I used to love Charlotte's Web as a kid, I think I might have to re-read it, for your Charlotte.

kris said...

Lots of love headed your way. I thought of you tonight in that cozy living room we used to share for a couple of hours a week.

Meg said...

Oh, Charlotte's Web always gets me. I wish you knew, too, for your sake. And, I wish things were different and you had all 3 alive right now. You are a wonderful mother.

ezra'smommy said...

I remember my own mother reading me Charlotte's Web & sobbing as she got to that chapter...as a kid I don't think I had a good understanding why. Now I think I get it all too well.

Sara said...

I have always cried when Charlotte dies in the book. Now I will think of your Charlotte too.

Dalene said...

I wish I knew too. I hope that they experienced a peaceful, quiet passing and that they felt loved.