funeral

Thank you very much, everyone, for praying for us. We had an absolutely beautiful day for Mother's funeral. The sun was shining, the temperature was in the 60's and there was no wind! Can you believe that for Jan.?(About 5:45 45mph winds hit) When Mother said she wanted a graveside service, I thought "We'll see what time of year it is and what the weather is like." All of the grandchildren and eight of the nine great grandchildren were able to be there. Jeanne and I are very glad that we went the week-end before to see her even though she could not talk to us and could not see us. We are sure she could hear us and knew we were there. She is now in a much better place. We will miss her. It seems strange to think that we are now the oldest generation in our family. A new phase of life has started. Ann

Helen's services

I'm sure most of you know that Ann's mother passed away yesterday morning. Graveside services will be Friday at 2pm at the rural Hackney cemetery just west of Highway 77 south of Winfield just after passing Strother Field. A lunch and time of visit will be at the First Methodist church in Winfield at 12pm. Ann says that's where we got married. (am i supposed to remember?) Memorials are to the Red Cross, Salvation Army or to a missionary family we are acquainted with (for more info get ahold of us) I suppose we will be going Thursday morning. We do thank you for the prayers of comfort for Ann and the whole family. Even though we knew it was coming it is still a time of loss and separation. Bob

Ann's mother

Ann and I do thank all of you for the prayers and thoughts of Ann's family. We just returned from Winfield this evening and thought this would be a good way to update you. Helen opened her eyes Friday afternoon when we got there and we thought she knew we were talking to her. We visited her off and on throughout the weekend and saw little change. She is comatose or nearly so most of the time. Jennifer held hands with her Saturday and she gripped Jennifer's hand. Today she was sleeping and did not respond. She is under Hospice care and has had no nourishment or fluids since probably Wednesday or Thursday. She does not seem to be in discomfort except when the aides turn her and clean her. She does have some nasty bedsores and is losing circulation to her legs.
Ann and Jeanne and Bill have made arrangements for a graveside service (her wishes) and the plan is for that to be held in the early afternoon.
Please join us in praying that her life on this earth ends soon and in comfort. I am thankful that I have known her as long as I have (actually longer than my own mother) and that she shared Ann with me. It is difficult to pray that someone's earthly life ends but in a situation like this it would be the best for her. Ann and her sister both said their goodbyes this afternoon before we left. We will miss her. Bob

Bill called us Friday afternoon while we were on our way to Winfield to say that Mother was definitely worse. We hurried to pick up Jeanne and head on to Winfield. I was afraid we might not make it in time. I called Bill again when we got close and he said that she was kind of stabilized and they were not taking her to the hospital. It was very disappointing not to be able to talk to her. She was in the hospital for a blood clot in Nov. and then moved to the rest home. When she got to the rest home she did not have a telephone; so I have not been able to talk to her for several weeks. Watching the aides turn her it seems to bother her quite a bit. The best thing would be for her to go quickly, but I am praying for God's timing. Thank you for praying for all of us. Love, Ann