Death and Departure in West Virginia

December 16, 2006-2008 Let us reminisce (cue the harp and blurry vision): Two years ago, this day, I get a phone call from my sister.  "Scott, the nurse says we should call any family members who would want to be here and have a long way to travel."  Keep in mind I had moved about five hours away from my native Lincoln County, WV, to the beautiful Eastern Panhandle of WV. "She said mom's not gonna make it."  As I scurried to throw some clothes in a bag, call my fiancé, get the dogs ready, and fight off tears, I remembered that I was going to telephone my mother the night before—just to say hello—but I got busy and forgot.  My mom and I kept in touch on a regular basis, but this time I felt I should call her for some reason. The drive to Charleston was quite tense.  Tears were shed, and thoughts were racing.  As I stepped out of the elevator onto the floor of the hospital, I saw approximately 25 family members, most of whom are ... (link)