Sorrow

It is with great sorrow that I share my sweet Moma passed away on Monday, September 12.  Moma had a fall in November after which she retired from Walmart as a greeter.  In August she had another, less serious fall, but with her declining health she was not able to recover.  Her glaucoma had become so severe that she could barely see, and her osteoporosis greatly limited her mobility.  We were able to spend the last month together, with her teasing me about my constant stitching - still working on the same one?  I love her, will miss her, but am relieved that she is at peace.  On September 28, it will have been five years since my Daddy's passing.

Exciting Times

Hey, Friends!

I’m guessing everyone is just as excited as I am about PALS this week!  I can hardly wait to see all the friends, get my toes into the sand, watch the mystic ocean and gorgeous sun rise and set, and stitch, stitch, stitch till my butt’s numb and heart’s content!  I won’t be participating in the exchanges and other fun swaps – unless some true magic happens.  There just has not been time to finish goodies to get prepared, but I will be there rooting for everyone to get all the pieces they want.  Another additional treat?  It’s hard to believe that Paulette from PlumStreet Samplers and Tanya from The Scarlett House will be there.  Woo Hoo! Wonder who else may show up this year?  Remember last year there was a comic show going on, and who dropped in one evening but Superman! 

Once again I’ll say Thank You to everyone who has sent their condolences, prayers, positive thoughts, cards, and especially the love I’ve felt.  All these have surely gotten us through to this time.  You’re all such special friends, even though I’ve never met many of you, and I send my hugs and love back to you!

Today will be Mom’s first day back at work – yes, she works at the Wal-Mart as a greeter, and she is quite mixed about going back.  The ‘first day’ jitters, you know, but I’ve tried to encourage her that she will feel better when she gets back among her friends and in the public.  She’s of the social type, unlike her daughter J.  Mom has never been a very confident driver, although she did make it to the beauty shop for her weekly hair appointment yesterday, on her own.  I’ve been taking her on Saturday morning, but since she was going back to work today…  Anyway, she has made arrangements to ride with a coworker, only to have to drive when there may be a conflict.

Public Service Announcement:  Please, please make sure every member of your family knows how important it is to get all their records and important documents together.  We all KNOW it is important, but are they gathered?  End PSA  .And now I get to go face a mountain of paperwork.  

Take care everyone – have a wonderful fall weekend, doing the things you love.  

Be safe traveling to the coast, PALS, and we’ll see you there!

PeaceëLoveëJoy
and Happy Stitching
Charlene♥SC

Thank you

Hey, Friends!

Thank You to each one who has expressed condolences to me and my family.  Your kind and heartfelt words have felt like genuine hugs and we appreciate them so much.  We have some tough days ahead, but we are blessed with wonderful memories of happiness and love.

PeaceëLoveëJoy
and Happy Stitching
Charlene♥SC

Sadness

Hey, Friends

My heart is broken to share with you the passing of my dear, precious Dad on Wednesday.

Your peaceful thoughts and prayers for my Mom in the coming days will be appreciated - after 61 years, the loss will be more than even I can imagine.

PeaceëLoveëJoy and Happy Stitching

Charlene♥SC

TuSAL and Slow Progress

Hey, Friends!

I’ve been trying to be better at responding to the comments you leave for me.  I appreciate them so much, and it is so nice when YOU reply to my posts.  It is not possible to reply to some, though.  When I click Reply, I get noreply-comment@blogger.com.  If you would like for those you leave comments for to be able to get back in touch with you – or if you enter for a prize drawing it helps the one offering to be able to contact you.

The August TuSAL is once again on my Side Bar this year.  Better late than never?   à

I’m still stitching on some exchange pieces, so they won’t be up for viewing for a while yet.  My stitching time is limited now as my dad’s physical health and mental acuity is failing quickly.  Thankfully, he is not in a lot of pain.  Mom, of course, is his primary care giver, and she is not the strongest or well sighted – but she will NOT have it any other way.  I don’t feel like I’m doing much there, but running errands and spending some time with her each day.  Your prayers or positive, kind thoughts for her strength are coveted.

PeaceëLoveëJoy
and Happy Stitching
Charlene♥SC

A Huge Loss

I wrote the following a few days after Christmas, but never posted it, until today.  This morning, my Dear Aunt Maxine lost her battle with ovarian cancer.  I ask for your prayers and thoughts for my mom and dad and her son and daughter and their families. 

Hey, Friends!

You’ve been sending hopes and wishes that we had a Merry Christmas.  It was a very nice Christmas season, wasn’t it?  Family gathered and shared love and gifts.  My dear Aunt looked me in the eye on Christmas Eve and said, “I made it.” Bless her heart, she sure did!  They have told her that hardly anyone makes it longer than four and a half years, and she will soon be to the five year mark of fighting ovarian cancer.  All the doctors told her in October that there was no more surgery or treatments they can do, and she’s been on liquids only since then.  I realized last week as Christmas was quickly approaching (and I couldn’t bring myself to make the final preparations) that I’ve been somewhat depressed.  My ever ‘in denial’ self didn’t want to pass the mark for which I believe she was striving to reach.  She has lost lots of weight, but she still looks so good.  If you didn’t know her, you would not be able to tell how long and hard she has fought.  She is now living with her daughter, who is courageously fighting the battle with her.  It is amazing to everyone around the family since she (daughter) has not always been the most patient, attending nurse, but she is now!  Auntie did have to go to Hospice Place for a few days before Thanksgiving, but they allow her to come back home when their care is not required.  She has to be infused with blood every week since she is losing blood through her digestive tract.  This is the person in my life whose loss I’ve had to prepare for that I love the most.  She is my Mom’s closest, and only living sister.  In fact, Auntie told me just days ago that it was hard for her to admit, but she loved my Mom more than her own Mother.  It is easy to understand… they were born in the time when the older daughters took care of the babies, and from all accounts, Grandmother was not the most loving Mother anyway.  I need to be strong for Mom, but I can’t offer my shoulder because this is the first time I don’t think I could hold up.  I even felt something from my Dad Christmas day that I’ve not felt before.  He is not the most healthy, so that evening I wondered if it was his way of easing back, gentle goodbye.  But on this reflection, it may have been his sympathy for the coming loss I felt.  I was also disappointed that Dad’s sister from out of state announced that she was coming to have Christmas with us.  Now I can acknowledge that it was probably because I wanted “us” to have the time to celebrate Auntie, and not have to focus on the guest.  She probably thought it would be good to get our minds off the coming loss…    

I guess this is the first time I’ve put these thoughts into words, as tears stream down my face - my admission and acknowledgement that the loss is coming, and sooner than ever.  Trying to guess what thoughts and emotions are going on in my parents, without asking or sharing - a little glimpse into the non communication of my dysfunctional family. 

   Peace♥Love♥Joy
and Happy Stitching
Charlene♥SC

Stitching Update

Yesterday was Mom's birthday, so Mom, Dad, and DS came over for BBQ's. Her sister was invited, but she wasn't feeling well, so she didn't make it. Mom is the cutest! Friday is her 'hair day' so she was all dolled up. Someone at work (and I did say work... she works at Walmart as a greeter) asked her how old she is, and she told them they needed to mind their own business. Yep - she hates for anyone to know her age. I've told her she has to be careful because I'm about to catch up to her :-). I'm so bad, I forgot to take pictures! Let me see if I can find something recent... She's been having lots of eye problems, and it's so frustrating for her. Hopefully the new doctor she's going to can help get her seeing better soon. Happy Birthday, Momma! I love you!!

Here's the update of where I've gotten on The Sampler Lady as of last night. She's fun to stitch!

Meet the Family

This is my family: Dad, son Jonathan, me, and Mom.

Dad has since had surgery to remove a growth from his kidney, and is recovering nicely! Jonathan is living at home with me again, back in college for Computer Networking. Mom continues to work at Wal-Mart as a greeter. And I look forward to retiring from the College - 2012 at the latest!

Oh, and here are Pixie, my toy poodle and Kilo, Jonathan's Great Dane.