Simon's mother, Patricia Lyons Simon Newman Gilband, is in the intensive care unit at a Chicago hospital and he has been live-tweeting the experience of sitting at her bedside.
As Simon has candidly opened up about the experience of watching a loved one die, the Internet has chimed in to listen.
Tuesday, July 23: Gratitude for nurses...
I just want to say that ICU nurses are remarkable people. Thank you for what you do for our loved ones.
Scott Simon
@nprscottsimon
I just want to say that ICU nurses are remarkable people. Thank you for what you do for our loved ones.
And the royal baby!
My mother in ICU sees Kate & Will holding baby and tears: "Every baby boy is a little king to his parents. " So I tear too.
Scott Simon
@nprscottsimon
My mother in ICU sees Kate & Will holding baby and tears: "Every baby boy is a little king to his parents. " So I tear too.
Thursday, July 25: Greetings and grace.
Thanks for prayers my mother in ICU. She greeted the woman who picks up trash: "Blanca, you herald a new day." Class.
Scott Simon
@nprscottsimon
Thanks for prayers my mother in ICU. She greeted the woman who picks up trash: "Blanca, you herald a new day." Class.
I am getting a life's lesson about grace from my mother in the ICU. We never stop learning from our mothers, do we?
Scott Simon
@nprscottsimon
I am getting a life's lesson about grace from my mother in the ICU. We never stop learning from our mothers, do we?
Friday, July 26: Duets.
My mother & I just sang Que Sera Sera 3 times. God bless you Doris Day for giving us such a great theme song.
Scott Simon
@nprscottsimon
My mother & I just sang Que Sera Sera 3 times. God bless you Doris Day for giving us such a great theme song.
Mother & I just finished a duet of We'll Meet Again. Every word has meaning. Nurse looks in, asks, "Do you take requests?"
Scott Simon
@nprscottsimon
Mother & I just finished a duet of We'll Meet Again. Every word has meaning. Nurse looks in, asks, "Do you take requests?"
Thanks for all good wishes. Mother says, "We can get through this, baby. The hardest part we'll be for you when it's over"
Scott Simon
@nprscottsimon
Thanks for all good wishes. Mother says, "We can get through this, baby. The hardest part we'll be for you when it's over"
Saturday, July 27: On speeches, Chicago, punctuality, and parks.
My mother: "Believe me, those great death bed speeches are written ahead of time. "
Scott Simon
@nprscottsimon
My mother: "Believe me, those great death bed speeches are written ahead of time. "
Mother: what time is it? Me: 6:30. Her: oh let's raise the curtains on the city we love.
Scott Simon
@nprscottsimon
Mother: what time is it? Me: 6:30. Her: oh let's raise the curtains on the city we love.
Mother: "I don't know why this is going on so long. I'm late for everything I guess."
Scott Simon
@nprscottsimon
Mother: "I don't know why this is going on so long. I'm late for everything I guess."
My mother is breathing, finally sleeping. Docs asked what priority is. I just want to take her to sit in our favorite park.
Scott Simon
@nprscottsimon
My mother is breathing, finally sleeping. Docs asked what priority is. I just want to take her to sit in our favorite park.
Mother asks, "Will this go on forever?" She means pain, dread. "No." She says, "But we'll go on forever. You & me." Yes.
Scott Simon
@nprscottsimon
Mother asks, "Will this go on forever?" She means pain, dread. "No." She says, "But we'll go on forever. You & me." Yes.
Sunday, July 28: On holding hands...
Derek, mother's kind & wise nurse, says "Get some sleep. Mothers like to see sons sleep." But I hold her hand while I can.
Scott Simon
@nprscottsimon
Derek, mother's kind & wise nurse, says "Get some sleep. Mothers like to see sons sleep." But I hold her hand while I can.
I love holding my mother's hand. Haven't held it like this since I was 9. Why did I stop? I thought it unmanly? What crap.
Scott Simon
@nprscottsimon
I love holding my mother's hand. Haven't held it like this since I was 9. Why did I stop? I thought it unmanly? What crap.
And dental floss...
Just spent 45 mins looking for mother' favorite dental floss. Waste of time? Act of faith.
Scott Simon
@nprscottsimon
Just spent 45 mins looking for mother' favorite dental floss. Waste of time? Act of faith.
Mother groans w/ pleasure--over flossing. "When they mention great little things in life, they usually forget flossing."
Scott Simon
@nprscottsimon
Mother groans w/ pleasure--over flossing. "When they mention great little things in life, they usually forget flossing."
And saying goodbye.
I just realized: she once had to let me go into the big wide world. Now I have to let her go the same way.
Scott Simon
@nprscottsimon
I just realized: she once had to let me go into the big wide world. Now I have to let her go the same way.
Read all of Simon's tweets here. And, if nothing else, take this advice with you.
I think she wants me to pass along a couple of pieces of advice, ASAP. One: reach out to someone who seems lonely today.
Scott Simon
@nprscottsimon
I think she wants me to pass along a couple of pieces of advice, ASAP. One: reach out to someone who seems lonely today.
And: listen to people in their 80's. They have looked across the street at death for a decade. They know what's vital.
Scott Simon
@nprscottsimon
And: listen to people in their 80's. They have looked across the street at death for a decade. They know what's vital.
Oh, and: Oh earth, you're too wonderful for anyone to realize you. It goes too quickly.
Scott Simon
@nprscottsimon
Oh, and: Oh earth, you're too wonderful for anyone to realize you. It goes too quickly.