Today would have been Rose Light Nussbaum Scott's 92nd birthday. My thoughts g
o everywhere but for now light on the death scene, so 21st century. The nurse listened for a heartbeat and found none. Mom was a DNR--do not resuscitate. My thoughts scrambled and then I realized that prayers were in order. I found the "Lord bless thee and keep thee . . ." on my smartphone; then, scrambling again, my shaking fingers found the 23rd Psalm. Then we said Kaddish--from memory, I think. Then I hugged my older brother and begged him "Please let's not fight." Then, after we left the room, reminded by the hospice nurse that "she's no longer here," we found two old ladies sitting at a table, who asked, "Flying the coop so soon?" Gallows humor the others ignored. I smiled and gave each a flower from the bouquet I had in my arms. They cackled with pleasure--my mom's spirit joking around with us. I had left her red roses in her arms in lieu of the huge crucifix the Vincentians wanted to place there. She loved red roses.