It symbolizes a time of transformation and major changes in our lives; a period of metamorphosis and total change.  The 13th Major Arcana card also symbolizes the principle of letting go and moving on.  Death can indicate a total change or transformation, a metamorphosis.  The pressures of the current situation are becoming so strong that you are actually choosing to change things.  The old order needs to be destroyed in order for something new to arise from its ashes.  It may be showing that you are ready for a total change in your life.  You are embracing the experience or transformation and metamorphosis and will gain maximum benefit from it.  The old patterns or situations are being destroyed to make room for something brand new.  Renewed hope.

When I saw this card appear I drew a deep sigh of relief and felt that everything would work out okay.  I have nothing against transformation and metamorphosis, but at this point in time I'm getting the sense that they would not be the best solution to this situation.  Somehow getting that message allowed me to relax a bit about this situation.  It let me take a step back and realize that things are not as hopeless as I'd feared.

Destroying old patterns and transforming one's life may be beneficial and ultimately a positive experience for us but I would think that once a person reaches 79 years of age shattering old patterns may be more upsetting than transformative.  In other circumstances, I think making changes in the pattern of Smitty's and Edward's lives will ultimately be beneficial to both of them, but now might not be the best time.  I think the key to this situation is trying to stabilize things for them both.  Once Smitty is on a more level plane, then I think we can start moving forward.  It's almost as though we have to get back to zero before we can make progress.  So our focus is to get her back to zero.

John spoke with his brother tonight and was told that Frank has been calling Smitty at least once a week and she's been tearful, forgetful and basically a mess.  At first when John told me this my heart almost stopped.  We both feared that she was even worse than we realized.  But the more we thought about it the less sense it made.  She is forgetful.  It's entirely possible she would forget a few phone calls but not all of them.  She may forget to mention when one of the grandsons calls her but if you ask she will think about it and say that one called this week or last week.  She has not mentioned Frank calling since Mother's Day.  If he was calling once a week, Smitty would have said something.

Of course the part that really bothers me is that despite the fact that his mother's conversations were nonsensical and should have concerned him, Frank never bothered to give us a call and tell John.  In reality, I think it would be nice if he showed more interest in her health and well-being but if that's not possible, he could have at least given us a heads up.  Even if Frank didn't realize how involved John and I with this situation, he knows we have a house up here.  He knows we see her on a frequent basis.  I would have hoped that he would be concerned enough to let us know.  I just don't get people sometimes.