Officially...

      My Journal * This has been a good week for me....Mom is FINALLY resting in peace, and I am
      "Officially" A Four-Year-Breast-Cancer-Survivor!  (Just a reminder---Everyone please get your
      screenings scheduled!)  It's a good thing.

Mom's Beautiful Day...

* My Journal * Yesterday was one of the most beautiful days I have had in many years.  A morning celebration of Mom's life brought back so many priceless memories. It was a day to honor my mother...the beautiful person she was.  This amazing day...filled with flowers, food, candles, her favorite colors, friends, neighbors, family, and sharing....Everything Mom loved that she SO deserved.  My many tears of sadness through the years, turned into tears of joy on this day in "Celebrating Mom Home".  This is truly a blessing and it's a wonderful "Good Thing".

Celebrating Mom Home...

My Journal * Mom's "going home" service.  It's a good thing.

Today...May 15th...2015...just before noon...Mom traveled home.

* My Journal * Today was the day.  Just before noon, Mom took her last breath.  When I thought my tears were dry, I find them streaming like a flood down my face.  Before my father passed away, he took this picture of the sky.  Something told me this was special.  I have always cherished Dad's photograph of these clouds.  Finally, my dear, dear parents can be together in this beautiful place.  I love you SO much Mom and Dad.  Thank you for the millions of the little things, and the millions of the big things you did for me, and for so many others.  

Both of you can now be in peace...together.

Blessings to all for your thoughts, prayers, guidance, and needed support through this long journey.  

It's a good thing.

Mom and Me...May 10th, 2015...Our final Mother's Day.

* My Journal * My mom has been in the final active stage of the dying process since last Sunday on Mother's Day.  What I was told could be hours, maybe a couple of days....is now turning into longer.  Approaching six days...feels like six years...I have spent many hours by her side .  It only figures my mom is fighting to the very bitter end. Yep...she still has a stubborn streak.  On Sunday, I had in my mind and from my discussions with hospice, mom would be done with her suffering in the first part of the week. Well...now I have learned you can't put a timeline on this "eleventh hour".  I guess she will go when she is good and ready, and I have been blessed to hold hands with my dear mom one last time. 

Praying for peace. Praying for relief.  It's a good thing.

xxx

TIM...

* My Journal * I love this picture of Roger’s brother, Tim.  It’s hard to comprehend he is not with us now.  When I look at his smile, I feel so much joy, but hurt with so much sadness.  God Bless you “Little Tim”. Your smile says it all.  Please continue onward “up there” with your great sense of humor, your warm heart, and the sparkle in your eyes.  I still hope you like your “pig” as it continues to give you a chuckle of “hot-diggity-piggity”. It’s a good thing.  Now rest in peace.

Mom...once again...

Alzheimer's disease is truly the longest of "Goodbyes".  (The latest photo of Mom.)  She just doesn't seem to ever give up.  Still sweet...still kisses...I guess...that's the "good thing".

Alzheimer's...Mom...and me...

* My Journal * We (Mom) are now in the latter stages of Alzheimers.  We have been through...it seems like a million different stages and phases of the disease.  Even though Mom is in such a detrimental state, a part of it is easier than earlier spells of this unfortunate path.  No more anger or arguing….no more paranoia...no worries about leaving the house and getting lost...and... no more confusing and disastrous frustration.  It doesn’t mean I like this chapter any better.  I don’t.  She is bed ridden.  She hasn’t been able to do anything as simple as drinking from a glass of juice, on her own, for years. She’s a pathetic mess.  Sometimes the most haunting parts of visiting an Alzheimer’s unit of a nursing home is not what you see, but it’s the sounds and noises that come from all over the unit among it’s patients. It can be quite disturbing.  I have a small bit of a movie visiting Mom.  Even though she would not approve, I find it important to reveal and expose a little part of her world.  Some day I hope it makes a difference... and it might turn in to being a good thing.  I love you Mom.

A PIG FOR TIM.

    My Journal *  My husband Roger is the oldest of five children. I have heard numerous times of a story from his childhood regarding little brother, Tim. When Roger was a teenager, he took Tim "trick or treating" on Halloween. (I’m assuming Mom was home taking care of “baby Jim”, the youngest of the five.)  At the time, Tim was maybe about five years old. Roger was to take care of Tim, as well as make sure he was cued in on saying his "trick or treats" and thank yous. One house just so happened to have a cute pet pug at the door greeting all the little ghosts and goblins.  As little Tim got his treat, and said his thank you he started to turn away but hesitated after a few steps. He then turned back towards the door and said to the homeowner, "By the way… I like your pig!”

    It tickled Roger so.... Obviously, he never forgot that moment with little Tim.  And I always enjoy hearing the story.  (Mind you…I’m not always fond of hearing Roger’s “other” stories...uh…over and over….but this one I LOVE!  Ha!)

    Today little Tim is a wonderful father of four children and has been married to Maria for 30 years.  They are and have been fabulous parents to their grown and nearly grown children, and it shows through each child…Geoff, Stephen, Christa, and Aaron.  

    On Saturday, January 10th, Tim was rushed to the hospital…it looked likely that he had a stroke or heart attack...unsure.  With cat scans and X rays, the doctors discovered lesions on the brain (causing seizures) and in the lungs. The hospital performed a biopsy on Sunday. Later that week... biopsy results... malignant melanoma, (stage 4 since it has spread to other parts of the body).

    If anyone has the strength to get through this…it would be Tim and Maria. They are challenged, but handling the start of this journey with much grace and optimism. Tim and Maria, I declare as “Rock Stars”.  They are strong.  During this time, my father-in-law is also going through his own cancer battles.  Big stuff on the shoulders of the Hunt family to start off in the 2015 new year.  Daily prayers keep on going…and going…and we don’t mind asking for more.

    I don’t know, but all I can say is I’m getting pretty sick and tired of "Stupid" cancer abrupting people’s lives.  Cancer is the one enemy I truly believe in taking physical and wildly, violent force, and completely kicking it in the butt.  I would like to take a hammer and beat it til' we can see it NO MORE….THERE….DONE.

    As I have not been able to stop thinking about Tim, I couldn’t help but think of the little story of Tim and the “Pig” at Halloween.  :)  Naturally, I had to create this "pig-like" dog, or "dog-like" pig just for him. So here’s to my “Rock Star” brother-in-law who is keeping everyone else strong through his great attitude, optimism, and wonderful sense of humor in his new challenge he faces today.  May “Little Tim’s Hot Diggity-Piggity” bring a smile, a chuckle, and a twinkle of hope.  Allow it to be a symbol of faith, fun, and everything you are. Let it surround you with a bright spirit all around you and your family….. Maria, the kids, and your dear Mom and Dad….not to leave out the rest of the “clan”.

   SO... to Dear Tim-- I HOPE you "like your pig"? ....as it sends good thoughts, prayers, love, and a little bit of “Hot Diggity” in your path today.  It's a good thing...Love, Jan.