So Quiet

It is 4:45 a.m. ... and it is so very very quiet

she's gone.

She is still warm - mostly. Her face is cold.

I am sitting here in the living room and her laboured breathing is no more.

And even though I feel the tear rolling down my cheek

I am so very relieved.

for her.

Thank God that she is at peace.

I haven't woken Ross.

What would be the point?

He can say good-bye when he wakes.

And we will make phone calls

and be sad - but under it all

we will be relieved as hell.

And, on some level, take pride in the fact that we

- he & I -

did everything we could to take care of her.