Here is a story from last year’s Forget Me Not campaign. Vicky shared with us why she was joining in with our Forget Me Not campaign by dedicating a flower to her mom Denise. This is their story…
On 25th March 2013 my Mom passed away peacefully at Birmingham St Mary’s Hospice after a long battle with lung cancer. She was surrounded by family, friends and with me and my Dad holding her hand. Although as an only child saying goodbye to my best friend was probably the hardest moment of my life, I also appreciated it was the best it could be, my Mum had a good death, handled with the upmost care and dignity.
Death is not something we ever like to consider but it is something we must all face from various perspectives throughout our lives, so ensuring it is as peaceful and well managed as possible is so important. The work of the Hospice enables families to have the time to say goodbye, to be a daughter, a husband or a friend again and it is invaluable to the grieving process.
The last time my Mom and I went out for lunch was eight days before she died, it was Mother’s Day and despite all the effort it must have taken, she made it out for me. We had a wonderful time and it was a beautiful lasting memory to have, but every year Mother’s Day comes around I long to be able to spoil her again, to buy her beautiful flowers and thank her for all she did for me, but I can’t.
However, this year the Forget Me Not campaign is being launched by Birmingham St Mary’s Hospice and provides me with a wonderful opportunity to give my Mom a flower again. As a nurse she would love the fact the donation for her flower will actually go towards supporting other families with a loved one in need of end of life care. To make it even more special the display will be launched on the 24th April 2017 which would have been her 58th birthday. So for me this memorial display gives me the opportunity to remember Mom and support a cause that is so very close to my heart and I hope many more people will do the same.
Thank you so much for sharing your story with us Vicky, we value the courage it took to write it and appreciate all of your support for the Hospice.
If you’ve been inspired by Vicky and would like to share your story, please email forgetmenot@birminghamhospice.org.uk to find out more.
