April 2010

Last week attended Janice Brown's memorial service. It was so lovely and heart warming to see so many people, family and friends who's lives she had touched in her special ways. She was such a great lady, teacher, mentor, friend. She made every minute count and accomplished so much despite her limitations. Always thoughtful, always grateful and genuinely cared about everyone. We were all blessed to have her with us. She will be missed deeply. And I can't believe I forgot the camera but here is a picture in happier times, sisters at Kristen and Jason's wedding.
Janice passed on a Tuesday and I waited until I got home from work to let mom know. We had some tears and nice talk about how Janice is free from pain now and how happy she would be now that she was surely in heaven, so close to god and watching over all of us. Mom's short term memory is not so good, so I would only mention Janices passing when it came up (which was almost every day that following week, but not intentionally), we did not dwell on it. As we approached Garys house Saturday a.m. for the memorial service, I asked mom if she remembered why we had come down. She said "to see Janice" and I again reminded her it was for her memorial service. I hated to bring it up daily cause it is like a new shock everytime I mentioned. During the afternoon, everyone kept coming up to me and saying "You just told your mom on the way down?" so it was pretty comical when I just rolled my eyes and explained, "no we have talked about it every day... it just has not sunk in yet". I have an appointment in May to see mom's doctor with her, not that I suspect there is anything to do about this little problem after all she is "88 years old" as she always says. We are heading back down again to Heather's Baby Shower and Matt's diaper party. I got the camera packed!

Gearing up for the Mizpah Annual Yard Sale in the front of the house on April 24. Raising funds for high school scholarships - we distributed over $7500 this year. The garage is packed with stuff, and I keep bringing out more from the house and it doesn't seem to make a dent. I have always been a great collector. In this next decade, I hope to become the great "purger" - wish us luck. I found a few things to pass along to the Princeville Historical Museum from mom "some day" She sure loves to talk about her home town ... www.princevilleheritagemuseum.com We will add moms military picture to the military corner - I have an extra one or two. She is so beautiful then and now!