Making Memories

Fall 2021

In September 2021, Mom and I took a trip down to Indiana to see Little Women with Sammi, Norah, and Anastasia. We had such a fun time, and we made so many wonderful memories. We pretended to ride on tractors, we went shopping together, and stayed in a cute Bed and Breakfast. 

So when fall came around this year, Anastasia asked Grandma, "When are we going to go back to see Little Women again?" 

While it's pretty hard to resist Anastasia's requests, we agreed it was probably not a great idea for Mom to travel that far away from home this year. 

Instead, we found that Interlochen was going to be performing Cinderella as a ballet this February during Winterlochen. So we planned to go together and see the ballet as a (much closer) substitute.

It was a beautiful performance. All of us enjoyed it, and our youngest children asked immediately for "more ballet". Mom was able to enjoy the first half of the ballet before she and dad went home after intermission. She got sick several times before the play and was feeling very weak and tired, but was in relatively good spirits, joking with Melanie and me that this was not how she pictured making the day together memorable. 

We are very glad we got to enjoy some family time together, all thirteen of us, even if mom wasn't feeling the best.

Waiting for the play to begin!

Waiting together!

Mom has struggled to recover from getting sick on Saturday. She has been very lethargic, struggling to eat and drink, and is mostly resting now. We were able to talk a little on Sunday. At this point, her nurse says mom's health is declining rapidly.

Hospice brought in a hospital bed and we made up her bed by a window, and brought some of her favorite pictures from upstairs down where she will be able to see them, and put her favorite quilt on her bed. 

Today Dad says she's pretty tired but restless. We would appreciate your prayers for peace for her, comfort, and strength. Dad is continually reminding her that she can do all things through Christ, and to lean on her Father God. 

Please also pray for Dad, for his strength and courage as he cares for mom.

And please pray mom's favorite verse on her behalf, that she would be still, and know that He is God, and that He would be exalted through this time.