a passing in the woods

Heavy hearts are upon our household this past week. We lost a member of our family this week. Hubby's stepfather. I got a call a month ago from my Mother in law saying, I think Christian had or is having a stroke. He did. Then he had 3 more. Everything just happened so fast. We have been spending lots of time with my Mother in law. For the last month every day 7 days a week, 12 hours a day she has been at his side. Watching, praying, taking care of him. She watched him take his last breath. She is alone now. She is a very strong woman. She had been down this path before with hubbys daddy. He was taken when hubby was 13 years old. Too young to leave. My mother in law is so strong. I am amazed at how well she is actually doing. I would be doing far worse. I could not help but to place myself in her shoes and how would I be? A horrid horrid mess. I must say this entire ordeal has put me in places I never thought I would be. But it has also shown me the strength that others are able to muster. Once again I am proved if you dig down deep enough, courage will take over.