Wednesday, March 1, 2017- Ash Wednesday

Well, a lot has happened since my last post and most all of the happenings were not happy ones.  We learned, towards the end of December, that Andy would need cataract surgery. It was in the week of that consult, mid-January, that we learned he had a cancerous growth in the pelvic region that would need to be surgically removed.  This surgery took place rather quickly after the initial diagnosis. On Monday, January 31 he had outpatient surgery at Mount Carmel East Hospital. Recovery has been a little slow but tolerable.  For as much care giving as I have done in the last 8 years, I am still not very good at any of it.  (I chose education over nursing for a reason!). Any way, I somehow managed to think ahead enough to schedule the cataract surgery for March 16.  At the time my reasoning was the fact that I was still hoping to go on my mission trip to South Carolina.

This coyote offered some distraction during the recovery period.

He was easily visible from our french doors to the deck.

On Valentines weekend we were treated by a visit from Trish, Chad and the kids who flew in on Friday evening.  Trish said that they had some time Saturday morning and suggested that we take the kids over to see Grandma-Great.  I had Evie for the weekend so we loaded up the 4 great grand-kids for a visit.  What a blessing that they chose this weekend to come to Ohio. 4 hours after we left, Daniel brought his kids over to visit. I'm pretty sure God had a hand in bringing all these great-grandchildren into Mom's room on this day.

Grandma-Great always lit up when the kids came to visit.

 Olive, Grandma-Great, Lillie & Asher.
Asher coined the name Grandma and Grandpa-Great.

Three days later I visited my mom on Tuesday after working at the zoo in the Bear Kitchen.  That is my usual day to visit and I usually try to have lunch with her on those days. When I arrived she was in her chair with the room dark and depressing so I proceeded to try and cheer her up by opening the blinds and talking about the warm spell we were having.  When it was time for lunch I asked her if she wanted to try to walk to the dining room or take her wheel chair.  She was pretty adamant that she didn't need a wheel chair but after 2-3 steps it was evident that she wasn't going to make it by walking.  The aide, Hazel, happened to be going by and came in to help and told me she was concerned because Mom wasn't eating very good.  We arrived in the dining room and had a pretty good lunch, mom ate her mashed potatoes but not much else.  She didn't even seem too interested in her dessert which really isn't like her at all.  I chatted with her table mates, Carolyn and Pat, while she ate, smiling occasionally at our conversation. She seemed really tired so I wheeled her back to the room and tucked her into her chair for her afternoon nap.
     The following day I had this feeling that I really needed to check on Mom.  I called Ramona, who was recovering from knee replacement surgery and asked if she would like to get out of the house.  I picked her up and we headed over to see Mom.  We walked to the dining room, expecting to find her there, but were told by Hazel that she was unable to sit up in her chair at the table so they had taken her back to her room.  As I think back I realize that Hazel might have known more than she was saying.  We found Mom in her chair, resting but unable to acknowledge that we were there.  I did manage to get her to eat some blueberry yogurt but eventually she refused to eat any more.  She drifted off to sleep so Ramona and I quietly left.  We received a call 1 hour later that Hazel had checked in on her after we left and she had passed.  When my brother arrived he found that Hazel had covered Mom with the Old Rugged Cross throw, from my dad's funeral and was singing hymns to her.
     We buried our mother on her 93rd birthday.  Pastor Pribe had a wonderful service that honored our mother and comforted those in attendance.  The service was filled with music and Bob played the piano one last time, just for her. Phil Recob sang Amazing Grace and our new organist played and sang Celebrate Me Home.  Mom lived a wonderfully active and fulfilled life and now she is with the man she had recently spent so many evenings wandering the halls in search of, her husband of 65 years, our father.  We are saddened but oh so happy for her!

Christmas 3 years ago. Luke, Evie & Lily

Christmas 2015, holding her newest great grandson, Arthur.

Christmas 2016

Sara's wedding, 2006

We surprised Mom in Florida on her 80th birthday

Dad's 80th birthday

Another visit to Florida, this time Sharon & Betty were there as well.

4 generations

Grandpa-Great, Lily, Grandma-great, Trish & Luke

Mom's beloved Monday morning Prayer Group
on Monday, Feb 13. Madeline Quinn, Wanda Parks & Sue McDowell went to see Mom, so happy that she had one last Prayer meeting with her good friends.

January 1, 1949

Together again