Thank You, Cora

As I write this, three of my friends are singing Bob Marley's, "Three Little Birds," to Cora, rocking her and surrounding her with love. She is getting so tired now; her body is working so hard. I can see that she is far along her journey.

We are all settled now, having moved into a permanent room back on 7 east. We had planned to move into one of the palliative care suites, but in the end the PCICU doctors wanted us with them, cared for by the same nurses who have loved her every day of her life. The doctors told us it would be their privilege to care for Cora, and they are doing it fiercely and with deep compassion and respect. She is the little angel of 7 east, and they are protective over her and I feel in my heart that they have given all of themselves to her care.

Cora's day has been full of love. Of course her life has been full of love, but especially the day. We had a continuous stream of visitors, family members, family friends, friends of Cora's, friends of mine. Our dear friends, the parents of Cora's little pen pal, drove from Sacramento to see us. My college friends arrived, one by one. There are seven people in the room right now, besides Cora, and it is so silent and graceful. She has hands on her and hearts with her, leading her through her life.

Today we stopped the last of Cora's medications. She is receiving meds to make her more comfortable, but no more twelve medications given at eight different times a day. No more upset tummy. And there are no more monitors at all. Just Cora in her beautifully made bed in her beautifully decorated room.

A friend that came tonight brought a beautiful garland she made that says, "thank you cora."

Over the months, I have often feared the future. I had no idea where our road would lead, what would be around the corner or what more Cora would have to endure. So I am deeply relieved to say with complete confidence to Cora, you will never be intubated again. You will never get another chest x-ray. You will never have another surgery. You will never get another lab drawn. All you have to do is be peaceful.

All Cora's life she has helped others. My friends would write me to ask if they could come see Cora, because they were feeling down and they wanted her to cheer them up. She makes people better and she always has. So tonight I've been telling her that she doesn't have to give anything else. That there isn't a single thing she hasn't already given to me or to the world.

What a beautiful thing to behold. Her life: so complete, so full. I watch in awe as she moves through, inspiring love.

***

I walked away from writing this, and now it all has changed.

Cora Vivienne, Little Lionheart, the finest baby girl I ever knew, passed from this life, very peacefully in our arms and covered in kisses, at 12:25am.

Sweet, sweet baby. I love you so.