I truly hope to see people posting again. It is the camaraderie that I miss when changes occur.
I’m signing off for the evening. I’ve been thinking of you all day. I hope to see you here soon.
I too had trouble getting onto the site. I gave up. I love seeing you all here again.
In regards to mom... It started in October when she came down with pneumonia. She never quite got her energy back. At one point in November we noticed swelling in her legs. My sister took her in to see the doctor and he saw that the heart was acting irregular. After several more tests it was discovered she had congestive heart failure. She had at least one heart valve that was leaking.
We looked at specialists in Chicago and Cleveland that do such surgeries but found out because of her age, and weight, she wasn't a candidate. (She was petite.)
Winter was tough on her because she had very little appetite and difficulty getting around. My sister, Tracy, retired from Milwaukee's Summerfest at that point and came to live with month.
In early April we noticed a sore on her foot that was infected and not healing. We took her in only to discover her kidneys were starting to shut down and there was fluid in her lungs. She was admitted to ICU. (April 6th. Wed.) Throughout the end of the week she was in some pain. The weekend proved to be brighter for mom as things were starting to look better for her. All of the family came in, and she was able to see everyone. Unfortunately that following Tuesday morning she took a turn for the worse. We all spent the day and evening with her. (She had received her Last Rites, final confession the Monday before.)We said the Rosary, and kept vigil at her side. A few of us went home late that Tuesday night. Mom passed away Wednesday morning, April 13th, at 2:30 AM. She had a peaceful death with loved ones around her.
I was able to spend time with my eldest sister in Milwaukee this past weekend, after taking Carolyn down for her flight out of Milwaukee back to the DR. (Yes... she made it home for the funeral) We had a chance to finally talk since the funeral, and we both came away with the same thoughts. Mom had a wonderful faith, and lived it to the very end of her life. We credit both mom and dad for imparting such a wonderful and instrumental faith to all of the children. We were blessed to have such wonderful examples of parents in our lives. We feel the sadness, but more importantly feel and live the faith that was taught to us early on.
I remember my sister asking me once what I thought was the most important thing I wanted for my own children. My response has always stuck with her. I told her I want my children to get to Heaven. That's my job. Nothing else is as important as that. (I know I am speaking to the choir here... Thank the Lord.) I know that's the way my parents felt about us. They have spent their lifetimes guiding us to God. Their job is finished, and now its up to us to continue that legacy by pointing our children in the right direction.
Thank you all for your thoughts and prayers. We are truly blessed, are we not?
God Bless!
- Jay