How do you Say Goodbye?

My mother-in law Catherine is in her last days this side of heaven and I'm on my way to spend the afternoon with her holding her hand, reading her favorite scripture and finding a way to "say goodbye".
How do you say goodbye to someone who means the world to you?
An interesting question to ponder isn't it? That leads me to the next question, why do some of us wait until life on this earth is almost over before we let our loved ones know just how much they mean to us?

I'm one of the few women I know who can actually say that I LOVE my mother-in-law.
In fact Catherine has been one of my sweetest friends throughout the entire 28 years of our marriage. She is a petite woman in stature but a spiritual giant who has walked closely with the Lord almost all of her 96 years of life.
She has poured HIS life into mine and has been a living example of a godly wife and mother.
How do you say good-bye to your mentor, your model, your "mother"?

As I sit in her room today and hold her hand I will try to express my gratitude for everything she is and has been to me and the rest of her family. I will thank her for the time we shared as she progressed through cancer and a broken wrist. I will praise her for always keeping Christ first in her life and for pouring HIS life into mine and I will treasure the last few moments I have with her as we usher her into the waiting arms of our sweet Jesus and the beloved family members anticipating her arrival.

I read this years ago and have found it comforting.

Death is like standing on the shore watching a ship sail away with your loved one on board; while we are saddened about their departure there are those waiting on the opposite shore watching and waiting to catch a glimpse of that same ship, anticipating the arrival of their loved one.

Knowing that Catherine will receive "perfect healing" as she takes her first breath of heavenly air and will be reunited with the beloved family she's missed so much makes saying good-bye a little easier.