Bright Spots on the Journey

Mom and I were driving to Austin (2003) to see Nancy. I helped her out of hte car on NacoPerrin where we saw this lovely patch of bluebonnets. It was really hard for her to get up from sitting on the curb by the side of the road!!!
Below, in 2004, who enjoys a Grandmother cake more than Mom?

Enjoying hot chocolate on a cold day in Austin

What woman was ever adored more?


For a very long time, Mom enjoyed looking at pictures of days gone by. This album is from their early marriage, but she also liked the 50th anniversary album, and all the pictures of children and grandchildren that were sent to her.

I am not much of a pianist, but Mom never seemed to notice. She loved to hear music, especially the old hymns.


Who likes banana pudding? I loved how Mom could so thoroughly enjoy simple things, even as her illness progressed.


In 2005, when M&D moved to Merrill Gardens, Mom's illness seemed to begin to settle into a confused contentment. If I must be confused someday, I pray it will be a confused contentment!


A fancy, new walker increased Mom's mobility. Again here, I can see the pleasure in simple things.


Dad's faithfulness and undying affection spoke volumes. Here is Mom during her brief stay at Barton House.


And how in the world did we find the blessing of Grace House? Mom and Dad together again, no worries about how much care Mom would need. She would not need to move again, and they could be together. Below, Mom still enjoys the family albums, though she no longer talks.




In 2006, we went took M&D to the other Grace House, and Michelle played piano while we all sang. Mom had been mostly silent at that point, but she tried to sing along on "Jesus Loves Me." We knew we had connected with something deep within!

Letter from Sue & Charles

Dear Girls:

Sue and I had a fine visit with all of you and drew much comfort from the graveside service.

Having been through the loss of my mother, I can relate to your sense of loss and how I have dealt with it all these years. My Mom dies fifty-two years ago and I have missed her every day. You know we have dealt with a loss of one granddaughter, Michael's daughter Elizabeth Marie and his oldest Son, William, is cystic fibrosis at age fourteen and having a rather tough time.

In all this, I often find myself slipping into the area of doubt and despair. When I do, I sing the lines of a great hymn of faith. What a Friend We Have In Jesus. The words just lift the burdens away and a calm falls over me that mere words cannot describe. Diving down the road, in the rest room or kitchen or especially at night when sleep seems to evade the tired body while the mind races away.

What a Friend we have in Jesus.
All our sins and grief to bear.
All because we do not carry
Everything to God in prayer.

Oh, what Peace we often forfeit,
Oh, what needless pain we bear.

All because we do not carry,
Everything to God in Prayer.

Try it. Before you finish the verse you will feel the burdens lift away and a calm peace settles upon you and, you will be able to deal with it all because HE is holding you in HIS arms flooding your soul with HIS healing Grace from HIS vast storehouse of Grace.

I don't have David's e-mail address so share this with him for me.

Aunt Sue and I love you all.
Uncle Charles

Grace in the Valley

I am aware of grace in the valley. Here are some examples:

• I spent all Saturday taking care of Little Carolyn. When I learned that Mom had left us, there was a certain emptiness. But thoughts of my little granddaughter and the good day we had just shared, these thoughts were a balm to my soul. And I knew that Mom would be pleased that it was so.


• Early Sunday morning, as the news is still settling in, I didn't have the good sense to allow enough time to get to the airport. As I argued and insisted that I could drive myself, EB gathered LMC and ordered me to the car. As it was, I had to run to the gate to make the plane. On my own, I would certainly have watched the plane take off as I parked the car.


• On Monday, Mom's birthday, EB had a doctor appointment which included an ultrasound of the tiniest Irving. What nice timing!


• I was not surprised that all the grandchildren wanted to come and were able. I did not expect a son-in-law who just started a new job. Uncle Bry was helpful guiding LMC around the cemetery nearby during the service.


• Who would have planned a hymn sing after a graveside service? For me, this was a time to sing the things we know are true, as well as to laugh and have fun together.


• I was amazed when I returned at the number of sympathy cards I'd received. I didn't know anyone even sent them anymore. I also didn't realize how touched I would be by people's kind words. (I think I'll start sending sympathy cards now!)