Life and Death

Can't seem to get this written. No time lately and too tired to think. But must write about death and my good friend Joan Feist who slipped away into the arms of her creator early Wednesday morning. She fought a tough fight and had a very very bad last week with a stroke, kidney failure, and lots of pain while going in and out of consciousness. When her daughter, Paula, would sing "Amazing Grace" to her every night, somehow.....Joan would do the Alto harmony -- just humming along...music seemed to bridge their gap on her last days. Her oldest son, Tim, was with her almost constantly for the last week. Susan, the next dtr was there for weekends having to tend to things back in Chicago during the week. Paula had the bulk of the work...but to hear Paula tell it...she had the most rewards and blessings. Paula had a video playing at the funeral home of many shots of Joan, Frank and the children as they were growing up...of the grandchildren and even one great-grandchild. What "olives" around her table she had. They certainly followed the fourth commandment making not only their parents proud, but God Himself must have smiled down on all of them. When I saw Joan last week, she said in her calm, wise, wonderful way....."well you know, Pat, we can't stay here forever..we all have to go home sometime". Well put I said. So...now Joan is with her soul mate, Frank, and I know they are SINGING UP A STORM in heaven! I can almost hear her strong alto voice way down here.
Life....sometimes it seems that is the hardest part! Joan made dying look easy in comparison. It has been a struggle this last month for us. Ups and down with worry about the mass growing in Dave's lung and back and forth to doctors again...scheduling another lung biopsy and then just finding out today that he won't have to have another one (praise God for that!!) as they think they found the "disease" that is growing in the lung. Lots more to write about it, but just suffice to say....living is difficult. But we are still living!! :) Only good souls around us that are praying...prayer partners that are praying and calling....many phone calls from family and friends just checking in to say hello....etc. etc. that support and love has helped us through this again. Haven't had time to think much about calling others these days, but appreciate all the phone calls and cards from you all. Haven't really had time or enery to share this with everyone, mostly those of you who have contacted us. Was waiting until we had talked to everyone, but felt I had to write a short note on Joan's passing and it seemed that Dave's living was important to add to the mix.
I am too tired to write more...another busy day tomorrow. Dave works early and I work all day too. (Poor Scruffy is holding down the fort alone!).
We go back to the lung doctor next week to being more treatments. Thats all for now.
Living....dying....it is all part of the great plan. Sickness, health, good times and hard times, much love and happiness and a little loneliness, and sad times in the mix for this thing called life. Such a mystery.
Peace...