Posted on 12/24/2003 12:15:00 PM PST by ChefKeith
This communication intended to cover Mildred ( AKA: Mom Mom, Millie, Mil) and Barbra . I (Rodger) am in a bit of a Christmas crisis here, and I am resorting to this lowly form of Christmas Card to at least cover the bulk of my mailing.
For seven days now, Debbie and I have been the only ones in the house who are not ill. I have to a large extent been left in charge of the sick (Debbie and I have remained well - thank GOD ).
Barb appears to have some form of viral infection mostly in the chest that has basically put her to bed for the past seven days. The Doctor has changed her medicine twice, and she does appear to be making modest improvement, but very slow. She is in bed as I type. She was able to eat a few scrambled eggs and one piece of plain toast this morning (yes, the dishes are in the sink - I didn't get to them yet ). Also I haven't even started wrapping presents yet, nor have I entirely finished shopping. Oh well - there is always next year.
Jamie came home for Christmas but is wisely staying at her brother's ( Jeff's) house, I have no idea yet of how I intend to cover Christmas Day yet - a traditional family gathering day at the Mendenhall Residence..
On Sunday (Dec.21) evening, it became apparent that running a humidifier, and feeding Mom Mom fluids was not going to get it. She was becoming incoherent, incontinent, uncooperative, and unable to stand. With Barb's agreement, I called the Doctor, who suggested the life squad, who took her to the E.R., who examined her and admitted her, and there she is.That took care of that ! It turns out that she has developed some kind of an infection in her blood stream, and also has developing pneumonia - ALL of which is being treated of course, and according to the Doctor she is responding slowly, but appropriately. Nothing on a prognosis or length of stay. I haven't visited her yet today ( Dec. 23), but J amie (A Grand Daughter for those of you who would not know ) went up and fed her her breakfast this morning. She said she could understand most of what she said, which is a good sign. The Doctor did not feel this was "stroke related", but rather the inability to speak was coming from lack of oxygen in her blood. That would suggest some improvement from Jamie's observation.
That's about all my news for now. IN SPITE of all this, I WILL put out my cookies and milk, and I WILL wait for the jolly old elf who NEVER lets me down, and I WILL take this opportunity to wish you and all of yours a most HAPPY HOLIDAY SEASON, A WONDERFUL NEW YEAR, and ALL OF THE BLESSING THAT GOD CAN OFFER YOU.
RODGER
Mildreds Journey Home
Today December 25, 2003 is probably the most memorable day of the year in any of our hearts, because it is the day that we all celebrate the birth of our Lord and our Savior, Jesus Christ, the Son of God. This year however, everyone that receives this particular message will have another reason to remember and celebrate this special Christmas for an additional reason.
Today, at 11:25 AM, Mildred Housman Gramkow, chose to go Home, and spend her Christmases throughout eternity with her husband William, her sons Bill, Alan, and Pete, her step-grandson Rodger, and her two brothers Eyland and Ralph.
As you know, she has always been adventurous, and anxious to travel, but this trip has taken more time to plan than her others because of its importance. At 102 years of age, she has been expressing her willingness and indeed her excitement to complete her plans and be on her way. Being this close to her, we knew she was more than ready to leave, and she could not quite understand why it was taking so long to be called. She has at last received her wish, and while each of us will be saddened in our own way by her departure, we can all rejoice and celebrate this most exciting trip of all, and take great comfort in knowing that she is at peace, and is now exactly where she wants to be. She wants each of you to remember this day but with lasting happiness for her, and very temporary sadness for you.
Her wishes were for immediate cremation, and her wishes will be honored. A Memorial Service will be planned probably sometime in January at her church, in Marietta, Ohio, for anyone wishing to attend. Details will be announced later. Her ashes will be interred later beside her husband William, in Woodlawn Cemetery, in Wellesley, Mass.
She had two local charities of interest; her Church for her faith, and the Senior Center for the assistance they offered her particularly with prescriptions.
In lieu of flowers, contributions in her memory can be made to either of the following:
The Gilman United Methodist Church
Capital Improvement Fund
312 Gilman Ave.
Marietta, OH 45750
The O'Neill Senior Center
Marietta Foundation
333 Fourth St.
Marrietta, OH. 45750
We have deeply appreciated your continuing interest in Mother over the years.
Barbara and Rodger
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.