In The Winter of Her Life!

We're back from our trip. We love going to Idaho Falls, because this is where Mark and I started out our lives together. We were married in this temple 36 years ago. It is beautiful! I hope Becca posts some of her and Jason's photos of this temple, because they were spectacular.





But, our main reason for visiting was to spend some time with Mark's mom who is now 93 years old and living in an assisted living home. She gave us a scare a couple of weeks ago, so Mark and I, Maria and her family and Becca and her family drove down to see her. Here she is with Becca. When she gives you a hug hello or good-bye she holds on for a long time!




Here are Becca and Maria reminiscing with her about old times and telling her all about their children. She holds on to every word and wants to know everything! She was also able to talk to Jason, Brian and James on the phone. (She unfortunately, was not having a good afternoon the time she talked to Jason and we intended to call him back later in the week when Maria and Becca and their families had left. But, she was having bad days, was breathless, and not wanting to sit up so we didn't get to phone him back) Maybe we just plain wore her out!




Doesn't she look lonely? But, I was told she was just the last one finished at her table! She just doesn't like to eat these days! It was sad for me to see this because one of our favorite memories is her big farm-cooked meals, cooked from scratch and most everything came from her garden and/or the farm! We would all crowd around her table!



Each time we would go visit, she would be sleeping in the bed or in her wheelchair! Her most frequent complaint was that she was just soooo tired. She repeated several times that she is so ready to go to the other side and be with grandpa. She said, "I just can't figure out how to go!" And we always say, "There must be something left for you to accomplish!". Her response: "Well, I wish someone would tell me what it is so I can be doing it."

She is well taken care of in this place. It is a modern, clean, friendly, active center and best of all it is near her daughter, Ilene, who looks after her with so much care!




Mark having a "heart to heart" with his mom! But, she made him a little emotional when she said, "You are our only son, and you have fulfilled all our dreams." He replied, "Well, I had a good mom and dad!'" She kept telling us how wonderful we were and when we started feeling undeserving of all of her praises, I said, "Well, we're not perfect, yet." Her response: "I know you're not, but you'll manage." I told her that sometimes we get a little discouraged and she said, "Everyone gets discouraged, but everything will come out in the wash. You just keep washing."



Saying goodbye is always hard. When we gave her the last hug (mind you, I was bawling by then), I reminded her that she has never made it easy for us to leave and go home from our vacations with her. I told her that each time we left, our whole family driving out of her driveway, was teary-eyed, had a lumps in our throats and said very little until we were halfway to Pocatello! She chuckled, but still didn't make easy for us!

Becca and Maria said it well, when they said she is so beloved by us all because she has such a genuine interest and love for each individual!

We are all honored to have her in our lives!!