| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| thehouseminder |
Posted - Aug 17 2005 : 10:23:20 AM
Hi all,
We are having a tough week here. My grandmother, who was born in 1911 and orphaned by 1916 is dying.
She enjoyed good health until last fall when she had a cancerous kidney removed. She was doing well until last month when she was having trouble breathing and the doctors found the cancer had moved to her lungs. She refused treatment and is clearly in her last days.
It is amazing that it has been 88 years since she has seen her father and 90 years since her mother passed away. She is anxious to be with them.
Please pray for her. It is hard to see her like this.  She has always been so lively.
My wish is that she is released quickly and peacefully.
Love to you all and hug your families for me today.
Lucinda
Who loves a garden still his Eden keeps, Perennial pleasures plants, and wholesome harvest reaps. ---Bronson Alcott
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| 25 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| ByHzGrace |
Posted - Oct 10 2005 : 9:07:58 PM
Bless you for sharing your day. (((We all wish we could hug you in person right now.)))
Your loss is a measure of the depth of love that is in every word you wrote. What a blessing this love…and you expand it by letting us feel it too.I'm richer for(((you)))and Grandy still alive in you!
Lucinda, you had to know webe laughin about the train racing.Thanks sweetpea I gotta say I am so there zooming along with y’all. Did you ever go out and stick dimes on the tracks?
Thanks too for letting us in on Kevin’s entrance into your world. Did Grandy have nicknames for you and the boys? |
| thehouseminder |
Posted - Oct 10 2005 : 6:30:53 PM
You are all so sweet! Granddy's funeral was today and what a glorious fall day it was! Sunny skies with temps in the sixties. I could not help but think how delighted she would be that we weren't getting rained or snowed on. We laid her next to my Grandfather who passed away fifteen years ago.
Since Ellen asked, I would be happy to share another memory.
The first time I remember staying overnight at Graddy's House was when Mom was in labor with my youngest brother. I was seven and my brother was four. Granddy lived in Council Bluffs, Iowa, which is a railroad town. As a matter of fact, President Lincoln was a guest at General Dodge's house in Council Bluffs and it was there that the General took Lincoln to the top of one of the bluffs, showed him the incredible view of the Missouri River Valley and the vast prairies that lay beyond, and convinced him that Council Bluffs should be the Eastern Terminis of the Union Pacific Railroad. The residents of Council Bluffs are near one of the biggest "switch yards" in the country and anytime you stop to listen, you can here the soft, low whistle of the trains, and the faint sound of railroad cars being coupled and uncoupled.
We lived in a neighboring town about a half hour's drive away. Mom went into labor in the evening and she and Dad dropped my brother and I off at our grandparent's house on the way to the hospital. We were so excited. Mom and Dad had allowed us to pick names. I can't remember what names we had picked for a girl. I was just determined that I would have another brother and we would name him Kevin Patrick. Granddy put us to bed but we couldn't sleep anymore than if it were Christmas Eve. I'm sure that Granddy would dearly have loved to sleep but she got back up and sneaked us past our snoring Grandpa into the kitchen. There we watched as she mixed up cream, sugar, and vanilla and put it into an ice cream maker. Then we talked about the new baby and listened to the reassuring sound of coal cars passing to the South as we all took turns cranking the ice cream into being. After tummies full of ice cream we finally fell asleep, we three, with Grandma on the sofa and our heads in her lap.
Sometime, around 7:30a.m., Daddy called to say that Kevin Patrick had entered the world at 7:07 weighing 7 pounds and 7 ounces. Grandma said, "He's my seventh grandson too!" Then she winked at me and said with a grin, "You still get to have a bedroom to yourself!"
Now how did she know I was worried about that?
She was infamous for that grin. I remember a time when my brother, Frank, and I were staying with her for a day. Grandpa was at his job as a Railroad Inspector. She decided we needed to find him but I can't remember why. She drove us down to the switch yard, my brother and I in the backseat, and turned into an area she felt Grandpa would be in. She selected a train, a moving one, and began driving, next to it, toward the engine. We had to look between every car because after inspecting couplers, Grandpa would ride one train to the end of the next one to be inspected. I was just thinking we were moving awfully fast when Granddy glanced over the seat at our ashen faces and declared with that famous grin, "I'll bet you didn't know your Granddy raced freight trains!" and away we went until he was found.
Such a character! I think it is her gentle mischief that I will miss most of all.
Lucinda
Who loves a garden still his Eden keeps, Perennial pleasures plants, and wholesome harvest reaps. ---Bronson Alcott
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| showmemom |
Posted - Oct 10 2005 : 5:44:51 PM
dear lucinda-
have been away from the board for several days-i am so sorry for your loss-i know you must be very sad but i am so relieved and glad that your Granddy has gone home. It's so hard at the end-i'm so sorry you've had to walk through that. know that we are all praying and thinking of you and yours. it will eventually get easier but these days are tough-take special care to be gentle with yourself and others.
talk to you soon.
karen
Laughter is the sun that drives winter from the human face.
Victor Hugo |
| ByHzGrace |
Posted - Oct 10 2005 : 04:54:03 AM
Dearest Lucinda
You have such a way for framing images.Your written memories tell the spirit of your bond,through your words you let us live a bit with Grandy and you! How do you remember your first memory of sleeping over at *Grandy's* by yourself? I held Grandy in prayer in my morning devotions and will uphold you both now:God of mercy, look kindly on Lucinda’s Grandy who has set down the burden of her years. As she served You faithfully throughout her life, may You give her the fullness of Your peace and joy. We give thanks for the long life of Grandy now caught up in Your eternal love.Amen.
God bless ((you)) |
| Kim |
Posted - Oct 07 2005 : 5:15:15 PM
Lucinda, I am so sorry for your loss. It is a difficult road to travel. I still miss my grandma sorely after 9 years. I dream of her often and feel she is my guardian angel. Know you are in my thoughts.
(((hugs))))))))
farmgirl@heart
Be at peace with yourself and the rest will follow |
| lareyna |
Posted - Oct 07 2005 : 1:21:44 PM
I am so sorry for your loss, I never had a Grandma but I lost my mom 7 years ago and I really feel for you, be strong, she was, but don't be too strong it's ok to feel the feelings
http://bumpercrop.blogspot.com/
I was Country before Country was COOL |
| lamarguerite farm |
Posted - Oct 07 2005 : 12:47:34 PM
Lucinda- My prayers are with you. It is difficult to deal with the loss, but as you referred to her going to her savior, one can only imagine the peace and joy she must be experiencing at this very moment.
Blessings,
Missy
If you have a dream, even if you don't feel qualified to accomplish it, just try your hardest.-Maggie Jensen |
| BlueEggBabe |
Posted - Oct 07 2005 : 10:31:05 AM
Lucinda,
I am relieved for you that your Grandmother's suffering is over but sad that she will leave such a void in your life.
Your post about her care with the hungry kids in the cafeteria brought tears to my eyes. She must have the biggest heart.
She deserved all the love and care she received at the end of her life
((Hugs)) to you while you go through this difficult time.
"If more of us valued good food, cheer and song above hoarded gold,the world would be a merrier place."
J.J.R.Tolkien |
| MeadowLark |
Posted - Oct 07 2005 : 10:27:59 AM
Oh Lucinda, giving you a big hug now. Sorry that you lost a true light in your life...She is in JOY now after a good life. Bless you!
If I keep a green bough in my heart, the singing bird will come. |
| Clare |
Posted - Oct 07 2005 : 10:11:37 AM
Oh, Lucinda, I know this is a rough time for you. I'm sending you light and love and healing thoughts. Please know we are with you in spirit, and that your Granddy is released from her pain. (((hugs)))
May the sun bring you new energy by day, may the moon softly restore you by night, may the rain wash away your worries, may the breeze blow new strength into your being, may you walk gently through the world and know its beauty all the days of your life. ~~Apache Blessing
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| thehouseminder |
Posted - Oct 07 2005 : 10:01:42 AM
Hello all,
Granddy was mercifully released into to the loving arms of her Saviour at five o'clock this morning.
I'm happy for her and sad for me which is a really confusing mess.
I was thinking about her when the call came. I remember her telling me, with tears in her eyes, about the kids she fed at the school where she was a cook. She knew that for many of them, it was the only real meal they got.
Once, she had a student assisting her and she gave her the job of scraping the leftovers into the the garbage disposal. The girl just stood there with spatula poised over someone's messy, picked over plate, and said, "But all this good food...." My grandmother stopped and looked and this skinny little teenager and said, "Are you still hungry?" "Yes," she said, " It wasn't 'my turn' to eat breakfast this morning." Grandma sat her down with a fresh plate of food and attacked the icky plates herself. From then on, she paid very close attention to the kids who still seemed hungry or looked to thin or hollow around the eyes and she did everything she could to make sure no child ever left that school hungry. She even went to work with a broken leg and stood in the kitchen for hours preparing and serving lunch because she knew the other "lunch ladies" would not be watching out for "her kids." As someone who had grown up in an orphanage, she knew in a very personal way what hunger felt like and she did not want to see anyone else suffer in that way.
Thank you all for your love and support. I means a great deal to me.
Lucinda
Who loves a garden still his Eden keeps, Perennial pleasures plants, and wholesome harvest reaps. ---Bronson Alcott
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| Kim |
Posted - Sep 24 2005 : 9:25:33 PM
((((((((((((((((Lucinda you are wrapped in my warmth and prayers )))))))))))))))
farmgirl@heart
Be at peace with yourself and the rest will follow |
| LisaBee |
Posted - Sep 24 2005 : 9:06:16 PM
You and your family are in my prayers.
"Don't feel totally, personally and irrevocably responsible for everything. That's MY job. Signed, GOD" |
| BlueApple |
Posted - Sep 24 2005 : 06:36:13 AM
Lucinda, hugs to you and your family during this time. I can only imagine how difficult but how precious these moments are. May God's tender mercies surround you all and give you strength and peace.
Julia
BlueApple Farm |
| Aunt Jenny |
Posted - Sep 23 2005 : 9:15:52 PM
Lucinda...you are so special and I know she appreciates you being there so much!! What a lucky gal she is to have such wonderful family members to be with her like that. What a precious time for you all. consider yourself hugged..I am so proud of you!!! TAke care!
Jenny in Utah
The best things in life arn't things |
| Utahfarmgirl |
Posted - Sep 23 2005 : 9:03:41 PM
How fortunate for your Grandma that she has such a beautiful family to share this time with her. I lost my Mom last November. She was 92 and had always been active but the last few months were difficult. I was with her to the end, although she chose while I napped at 2 AM to make her transition. I just want you to know this is the hardest part, what you are going through now. How blessed she is to have you! Hang on. It will get better.
Hugs,
Patricia
Happy Wishes! |
| thehouseminder |
Posted - Sep 23 2005 : 6:46:12 PM
Hi all,
I've been mostly absent from here lately while I help care for Grandma.
I just wanted thank each and every one of you for your support and encouragement. I've become very attached to you all. Thanks too to all of you who have sent mail art, buttons, and just recently, a birthday card. It means so much to me. I have surprises on the way to all of you soon.
An update on Granddy...Doctors have found tumors in both her right and left ventricles. She has refused open heart surgery, and at 94, who can blame her? They cannot do any radiation and chemo is out of the question too. Oddly, she seems quite comfortable but just very tired and not too interested in food. My mom, one of my aunts, one of my cousins, and I are trading off so that someone is with her 24/7. This time is very precious to us and to our delight, Granddy has not lost her her sense of humor and is very alert.
Love to you all. Be sure to hug everyone you love. You can never overdo that!
Lucinda
Who loves a garden still his Eden keeps, Perennial pleasures plants, and wholesome harvest reaps. ---Bronson Alcott
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| ByHzGrace |
Posted - Aug 28 2005 : 09:25:30 AM
Almighty Gracious God, we entrust Lucinda's Grandmother, and all who are dear to her to your never-failing care and love, for this life and the life to come, knowing that you are doing for them better things than we can desire or pray for.Please wrap your arms around our sister and your servant Lucinda. Let your Spirit fill and surround her that she might know that she is not alone. She has so often been there in prayer and action for others…help us also to be your hands and feet in this situation if we might in any way help or comfort our friend.Amen. |
| CityCat |
Posted - Aug 23 2005 : 8:48:52 PM
My Granma passed away last year just after Canadian Thanksgiving. It was hard since I don't live in the same city as the rest of my family. Her dying was a long and drawn out process (over 3 years). It was so hard to see her just lying there, so small, getting colder and colder to the touch. I would have done ANYTHING to let her go sooner. I hope she didn't suffer.
I feel so much for you, Lucinda and send warm hugs your way.
Cat |
| greyghost |
Posted - Aug 23 2005 : 04:45:10 AM
Lucinda, I couldn't reply earlier b/c I just got too choked up at the thought of losing my grandmother. I love her so very much and can only imagine what you are going through. |
| Clare |
Posted - Aug 21 2005 : 4:27:19 PM
Oh My, Lucinda. Maybe music can be the link and be a healing at same time, as is described in this article. Very powerful.
http://www.wholelifetimes.com/2005/wlt2708/contact2708.html
**** Love is the great work - though every heart is first an apprentice. - Hafiz
Set a high value on spontaneous kindness. - Samuel Johnson****
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| Heather |
Posted - Aug 21 2005 : 12:53:43 PM
Prayers for your grandma, you and your family. What a special lady and so very lucky to have so many to care for and love her. (((HUGS))) |
| hapyhrt |
Posted - Aug 20 2005 : 05:40:55 AM
((((Hugs and Prayers)))
"Think HAPPY Thoughts...any others aren't worth your time!" Ü |
| Julia |
Posted - Aug 19 2005 : 1:48:54 PM
Lucinda, My prayers are with you and your family. My prayer is that your G'ma may be at peace as she passes on to glory. May the Lord bless you all. Julia
"The gloom of the world is but a shadow; behind it, yet within our reach is joy. Take joy!" Fr.Giovanni |
| westernhorse51 |
Posted - Aug 18 2005 : 6:13:25 PM
our prayers are with you and your family. God bless. Michele
she selects wool and flax and works with eager hands Prov.31:13 |
