Awe @jayna, the tears are still flowing as I'm responding to your poignant ode to your mother. This is one of the most touching blogs I've read for a very long time. You all gave your Mom a lovely sending-off with the songs, especially Kumbaya.
It reminds me so much of my mother's passing; she lingered till the morning my late brother's 2 daughters left after coming to say goodbye to their 'Ouma.' Mom knew my nieces could not bear to see her go.
The day before, the family who were able, came to say their goodbyes and we had a traditional 'braai' (barbeque).
Mom's speech, swallowing & mobility was affected but she asked to be taken outside where everyone had gathered. She was asking for something & I eventually realized she wanted wine - which was so funny as she preferred a good cup of freshly brewed coffee and would only ever have a small glass of sweet dessert wine; she obviously wanted one last toast with the family.
My brother went out & bought a bottle of good dessert wine; Mom only managed to have a few drops with the dropper. She made us laugh one last time, and when the family got together again after her death, we all had a toast of the sweet dessert wine bought for our Mom ;)
Thank you for sharing your beautiful ode to your special mother.