I just wanted to take a minute and wish everyone a Merry Christmas.
It's been a good year and its been a bad year. My wife of 48 years enjoyed a nice summer with our family and friends after undergoing a major surgery in 2015, but she passed away a couple of weeks ago as a result of complications. I miss her, but she was in terrible pain. It hurt to see her suffer, so it is a blessing that the Lord called her home.
I plan to spend the holiday with close family and my daughters and their families. That is, if the weather permits. We've had two days of ice and now it is supposed to snow tomorrow! Break out the snowshoes!
Best regards Al
So sorry about Mrs. Moore. May she rest in the arms of the Lord.
Merry Christmas Al.
If you need an ear, or a friend or a slightly worn out welder ... you got my number
Thanks Lawrence.
Best regards - Al
By kcd616 
Date 12-25-2017 03:24
Edited 12-25-2017 05:54
Merry Christmas
to both you kids, and everyone
always here for you kids if you need me
my families deepest condolence to you Mr Moore and your family
sincerely,
Kent
My sympathy for the loss to you and your family, and I hope you have a good Christmas with your daughters and grandchildren.
My wife and I are very saddened to hear of Marion's passing. This time of year even multiplies the emotions. You are in our thoughts and prayers dear friend.
I am glad to see you can still say it and it is with a joyful heart that we wish you a Very Merry Christmas and a peaceful, prosperous, and safe New Year.
He is in Control, Have a Great Day, Brent
Oh man Al...so sorry to hear about the Mrs.
48 years of marriage is something that is not heard of as much anymore, no doubt that you guys had something special. We'll be praying for you and your family.
Merry Christmas to you as well.
Seems like this year around the holidays we had a lot of loved ones passing on. Maybe it's because I'm older, or social media keeping us connected to more people or something. I don't know, but I seem to be much more aware of the sadness of death around the holidays this year than in others.
Sorry for your loss Al, I have been dealing with my wife's health issues too, she just spent 3 weeks in the hospital, 2 of which were in ICU for bad clotting in her hip area. I spent every day by her bedside and not sure how I could want to go on without her being my rock. You're in my prayers buddy!
Carl
I know what you are living with the heavy burden it places on your heart. You wonder if there was anything different you should have done or you can do to ease her pain.
I know where you are and I pray everything will be alright.
Don't be afraid to ask the doctors questions and don't let them off the hook if they don't provide a satisfactory answer. It took me a while to shed the believe doctors are infallible. My faith in the medical profession is not what it once was.
I can tell you that I cooked for my wife the entire time she was hospitalized. I would pack up the evening meal and bring it to the hospital and the rehab facility. As bad a cook as I am, my food was more nourishing than what they fed her in the hospital. The staff never told me that I could not feed her or that I could bring food in for her. I don't think she would have lived as long as she did if I didn't feed her. It got to the point where my wife's sisters and friends would visit at supper time because they knew I always packed enough for my wife, my son, myself and usually one or two other people. That even included desert that I would make for her. She couldn't have salt, so everything I cooked was salt free.
Know that your friends here in the forum are here to support you. I can tell you I appreciate all the support I received from my forum friends.
Best regards - Al
I was right there too Al, I'm thankful I got to bring my wife home to start the new year.
I too had to do the cooking, but only for our dog and myself. It wasn't until about 4 days before she came home that she could eat anything, and then she craved Subway sandwiches, which I didn't understand because its been years since we stopped there.
You know what they say about doctors and why they call it a practice. My wife was in an urgent care center twice in the same week and they told her she had a nerve problem, the next day, after seeing her in pain and feeling her leg, which felt like touching a 2X4, I took her to the emergency room where they found a massive blood clot and sent her to the trauma heart center, where they took three times to clean the clotting. A close call.
I also learned just how much work she does around the home I took for granted. Needless to say, I'm a lot busier these days!
Carl
What you are saying is so true.
I have a newly acquired respect for single mothers that hold down a job and take care of the household. I find it exhausting to work all day and then return home to do the wash, cook, do the dishes, and try to keep the house clean. I can tell you that in that respect I get a failing grade. My house looks like a tornado passed through it.
I wish all the best for your wife and you.
Best regards – Al
Prayers for you and your wife, Carl.
My wife's funeral service what held this past Saturday. It was planned and conducted by my family. The Bishop said it is your service, you can do what you want, but we would like to have an opening and a closing prayer. Other than that, we were given free rein.
We had an opening pray given by a long time family friend. We sang a hymn and then I did the eulogy. It was tough, but I did it. My son (he has a learning disability) read his memories of his mother. He told me what he wanted to say and I typed it for him. I included a few illustrations to help him when he read his paper. He did a wonderful job. My two daughters were next and they spoke of the memories of Mom. The six grandchildren followed. They ranged in ages 11 through 16. Each of them told of their memories of Grandma and three of the boys read a poem. Then my two son-in-laws and oldest granddaughter played their guitars and accompanied a family friend that sang "You Will Never Be Forgotten." Then it was time for the closing pray, given by another family friend and the closing song, "Amazing Grace."
My daughter got the words to the song from the internet. It must have been a Lady Gaga version because it had an extra verse. The lady that sang it said, "something is wrong, it has an extra verse." So my daughter eliminated the extra verse. My daughter handed the organist the words to the song. He commented, "There's no music. Don't worry, I have the music to it right here." As it turned out, it was a different version then the music my daughter had given the singer. As it turned out, there were three different versions of "Amazing Grace" floating around.
Half way through the song we noticed the words the singer was singing were not the same as the words we had. The organist leaned over to my granddaughter and me and asked, "What verse is she on?"
The singer realized she was singing a different version from everyone else. In a panic she looked to my daughter. Quickly realizing what happened, my daughter give her the correct rendition. By now everyone realized they were all sing a different rendition than that being played by the organist, which was a different rendition from that being sung by the singer. We got through it and it provided a little comic relief.
I had a woman tell me, "I never laughed so much and cried so much at the same funeral."
The Bishop said he never had a family plan and conduct the entire funeral service themselves before. Then he said, "I wish I could get as many people to attend Sunday services." He said it was the best funeral he ever attended. "I never knew people could laugh so much at a funeral service."
We had a lot more people in attendance than I expected. There were a few more than 200 people there. We had to set out extra chairs because there were not enough pews to seat everyone. We had plenty of food, much of it bought by people that attended the service.
I have to say, my two daughters did an excellent job of pulling the service together. I was proud of the job they did and I'm sure my wife would have loved it.
The only problem, it was the coldest day of the year. We had wind chills of around -30 degrees. Snow was blowing around so you couldn't tell whether it was snowing or blowing off the roof of the church.
It isn't ever going to be "normal" again. The house seems to lack the heart and warmth it once had. I am fortunate that my son lives at home with me. At least the house isn't empty when I get home.
Best regards - Al
