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“She definitely went upstairs though so I better repent if I want to see her again. ;)”

You made me smile~ I remember she and I talking about the “mansions” in heaven- I told her I’d be tickled just to get a mud hut~

My deepest sympathies to your mom and aunt- I don’t think it necessarily is something a person gets over... I think it’s more something we learn to live with. I know how deeply it affected our family when my dad passed away- but there was acceptance, and later, an inner healing. I suspect time will do the same here, right now there’s simply a numb feeling...shock, I suppose.

Above all else is the knowledge that it truly is not goodbye- to your grandmother, nor my mom- it is simply, “Will see you later!” Because we will-

I’ve been wading through her posts and am intending to use portions of those in the “grandmother book” for the grandkids- I’ve dearly enjoyed the chance to “get to know” her through her activities here, and have been moved to tears more times than I can relate by the sincere and loving posts on this thread! It is very easy to understand why she loved this place so much!

My mom, Judith Anne, passed away very peacefully yesterday early afternoon- In those final moments, her breathing calmed, and her eyes opened for the first time in over a week- We all know, in our hearts and soul, who she saw and where she has gone. Each of you here have provided a wealth of encouragement, prayer, and solace in helping us get through this! I cannot thank you enough!
A memorial fund has been established for family, friends, coworkers, and her online community of family for any who wish to make donations- the address is as follows:

www.ancient-tiger.com/judy

Admins- as I asked in the original post, if this is the wrong place for this, please feel free to move it to the correct location-

In the coming months, I would ask ANY of you that would be kind enough, please consider/think of words, prayers, or bible passages she shared with you, or a story you’d like to share with the family- I am going to have a “Grandmothers book” made for the grandkids- The Divine Mercy prayer will be on the first page, given her love of the beautiful Chaplet- any additional thoughts or info is greatly appreciated!!!

Again, THANK YOU for the prayers! The posts here, and your prayers, are what I consistently went to as a source of encouragement and strength to see this journey through!

*smiles* she’s told me of times when she’s done just that~ I’ve spent the last few nights, just before bed, reading through her old posts~ Some I recall her mentioning, others I’d never known of~
Thank you, I’ve always felt she was quite pretty :)

I almost giggled this afternoon~ I’ve taken to playing the gregorian chants for her during the day. I was going to use the restroom and idly commented to her that I could keep the music going or turn on the news (she ALWAYS had that going at home!) When I stepped out of the bathroom I realized the soft music was no longer playing and looked at the computer to see that it had been stopped~ No doubt it was a glitch, but I had to smile and went ahead and turned the news on~ ;)

I really like your, “Above the Susquehanna” as well~ The fluidity of motion and the almost misty quality offers an ethereal feel!

Understood about the lack of attention given to realism in college. I’d harbored long hopes of attending for an art degree till I found out that what I wanted to learn most about was all but frowned on =(

You really do beautiful work!

I ache in looking over the posts, realizing how my words were misunderstood, and as such caused confusion-
In the update I had said that her body remains with us, but her soul has gone to heaven-
Her body continues to breath, however the CT and EEG have confirmed the encompassing damage. At present, the only portion functioning is the brain stem (which controls the basic life functions of breathing, heart beating)- we remain by the side of her bed, and will stay until the last breath is finished.

How does a person say sorry for a misunderstanding such as this? lack of sleep, lack of focus, the desire to keep friends informed and failing to convey a message the way intended - i dearly apologize!

While her body remains, Judith Anne’s soul has joined her husband, my dad, in Heaven~ It is a romantic irony that she had her stroke and heart attack on their anniversary.

After a third scan as well as an EEG (second for the EEG), it confirmed that the strokes continue and she is no longer with us. We were finally able to unreservedly yield to her standing wishes and stop the extra measures we continued to permit until confirmation was affirmed as to her true status. Now we wait for final closure in the passing of her body. It was a deep blessing and comfort for me, personally, that I was able to sit beside her and share the Rosary with her one last time.

Again, allow me to say how overwhelmingly appreciative I am to ALL of you! The prayers, encouragement, stories you’ve shared, links, support, as well as those that have essentially safe-guarded this thread! I had the chance to show this to my brother late last night and he, who never tears up, had need of tissues! You each have hugged our hearts! Know that we send hugs to yours as well!

Thank you so much, Steve86~

I opened the thread and immediately my eyes were captured by the overwhelming response! I called everyone in, and ALL of us had tears coming down our cheeks!

There is no way I can come close to adequately expressing my gratitude for the prayers! My mom loved this site! Quite often, over the phone, she shared with me the interesting debates that would come up, the fantastic insights, comments that had her rolling in shared laughter, and even in moments that had angered her- it strengthened her! You each became a part of our extended family! Family may not always see eye to eye~ Family gets angry with each other~ But, family loves each other!

EACH and EVERY one of you aided her in the growth, development, and strengthening of her love for God and the desire to follow Him more ardently! How can a person ever fully thank anyone for that most cherished gift?

(Admins: I was uncertain where to post this to, and apologize if I've placed it wrong~ Please, feel free to move this to where it needs to be)

I have not met any of you, but I am Judith Anne's daughter, Annie- I knew of some of you from the many times she talked with me about discussions here, friends, and some very feisty debates~ I KNOW she would want me to let you guys know whats happened in the past few days-

The morning after Christmas, mom my had a pretty bad headache. She's had issues with allergies off and on, so nothing was thought of it and she decided to lay down and take a nap. She woke about an hour later with out the use of the left side of her body- I called the ambulance and she was brought to the E.R.

Information has been back and forth during the past 36 hours on exactly what her condition was. However, at the last consult with her doctor, things have worsened to an extent that there is no longer a "getting better." Her first stroke affected the right middle portion of her brain, as well as caused her to have a heart attack. Both arteries in her neck are completely blocked. The first CT (when she arrived at the hosp.) compared to the CT done today showed considerable expansion of damage along with an additional stroke affecting the left side of her brain. Her heart is only working at about 20%. There are additional factors that is simply too much to get into now, but needless to say we are going to follow her standing wishes in the request of no outstanding measures to keep her body alive as well as a DNR. At this point, there is no way to stop the progression of damage, and she is not waking nor responding in any fashion to outside stimuli. We're hoping for a few days more just so family can come down and have their chance to say goodbyes~ Prayers are desperately appreciated! in all honesty, at this point I don't know what to do....Gods hand is over us, and He IS with us! A priest was able to go in yesterday afternoon to offer the anointing of the sick as well as administer last rights (again, something she felt strongly about if there were ever a chance she would be in a possible life threatening situation)~

I hate to be passing on such sad news, but I knew she would want you guys to know~

“we also agree that the other is saved by Grace through Faith in Christ. “

*smiles* Fantastic! We Catholics believe the same thing!

Pope of Vatican I, Pius IX
Quanto conficiamur moerore of 10 August, 1863

“those who observe carefully the natural law, and the precepts graven by God upon the hearts of all men, and who being disposed to obey God lead an honest and upright life, may, aided by the light of divine grace, attain to eternal life; for God who sees clearly, searches and knows the heart, the disposition, the thoughts and intentions of each, in His supreme mercy and goodness by no means permits that anyone suffer eternal punishment”

*smiles* Many thanks to all for the wonderful, warm welcome! (My apologies as I'm still figuring out how to ping or post to more than one person at a time~)

I just wanted to say that I Do understand that there are many denominations that believe they hold the ultimate stance in truth. My denomination is definitely one of them~ However, I would have less respect for any denomination that did NOT state as much. I respect anyone that will stand up and fight for their faith in God. That will stand up and stand firm for their Christian church! Again, ultimately we ARE all part of this same wonderful household, even if we argue (as all families have done since the beginning of time.)

I'm going to attempt to slip as quietly out of this thread as I slipped in but hopefully leave with this.....

I won't go to my brother and tell him, “Daddy loves me more because I draw pretty pictures!” Nor would my brother tell me, “Dad loves me more because I am more organized!”

I am proud to see the amazing determination and conviction displayed by each poster here! Would that such astounding talent could be so openly shared amongst those that have no knowledge of God~ Such conviction could surely win many hearts to our Lord!

*grinz* Well, I'm fairly new to all this (the whole freeper boards and all) but I have to say, I'm enjoying the read~

I was blessed with an amazing family~ I grew up in a Christian home where my parents eloquently imparted amazing lessons in our every day living. One of the things I will never forget is how me and my brother kept our rooms. I was always jealous of my brothers ability to keep is room in perfect order. My brother? Well, he later confessed to me that he was jealous of how relaxed I am about the little things in life (ie: keeping up with my cleaning LOL). I remember discussing it with my parents once, and they made a great analogy. Our house was alot like Gods. Lots of different rooms, and a different appearance for each. BUT all part of the same house~

I'm a Catholic, and darned proud to be one~ I have a Baptist husband, and am equally proud of HIS convictions. Each CHRISTIAN faith is a room in Gods house. We might decorate our rooms different, but we're all still part of that One family. I fail to understand why a brother and sister should argue how the other keeps/decorates their room. Didn't God tell us to focus on keeping our own selves tidy, rather than than on someone else? I'm a Christian, your a Christian.... Is there really anything more that is truly NESSICARY to argue over? (Sure we could nit pick, but is there really a NEED to?)

Why not spend that pent up energy focused on converting those that don't believe in God at all? Or have fallen into a cult that fails to recognize our need for salvation?