To those who haven't heard, Josh's mother passed away Sunday evening very unexpectedly. She was visiting her mother who is in a care home and was there for quite sometime. As she was getting ready to leave she remembered she had a check for them out in the car and said she would be right back. Another visitor had come in and when 15 or so minutes had passed, the care taker had realized she hadn't come back in he went out to check on her. The windows were fogged fog up and he didn't want to alarm her so he tapped on the passenger window. When she didn't respond he went around and tapped on the drivers side. When she still didn't respond he shook the car a little. He opened the door and found she was cold, with no pulse, and not breathing. He called 911 and they worked on her all the way to the emergency room. Around 8 p.m. they pronounced her dead.
We had just celebrated her 52nd birthday Nov. 15 which seems so ironic because her father passed away earlier this year at 100 years old. Josh still has 2 siblings at home, a brother who will be graduating this Jan. and his sister who is a sophmore. We still are not exactly sure why or how she passed away, but they did tell us the left side of her heart just stopped, which makes it sound like she just stopped, no heart attack, no pain, she just stopped. Like I said, it was all very unexpected, she hadn't complained about any health issues, and we were all shock. But as we have reflected on her life, we realized she was ready to go, it was her time. She truely is the most Christ-like, charitable person, I have ever know. Not only was she always willing to serve, but her heart was always in the right place. There is not a single person whose life she didn't touch, and I don't know that she knew that, but I hope she knows now how much she was loved and appreciated. She made me feel like one of her own, which has helped me to not feel so home sick for my family who is so far away. I know she truely loved each and everyone of her children more than she could ever possibly express. I know she enjoyed Sara's frequent phone calls about quilting and her grandchildren; Josh and his various solutions for improving life; Caleb and his wife for how far they have come and how devoted they are to each other; Nathan and how quickly and early he has taken on so much responsibility and handle lifes stresses so well; Melissa's friendship and almost daily visits, Melissa has always been a good listener; Naomi's meekness and honest sincerity; Jacob's hugs and sense of humor; and Rachael who she saw so much of herself in. I am so grateful to be apart of this wonderful family and that I can be with them forever. I have learned more kindness and compassion from them in the last four years that I have been married to Josh than in my entire life. All she wanted, was to be a guardian angel and there is no doubt in my mind that is what she gets to be. I am so grateful families can be together forever. This past week as been such an amazing experience, I wouldn't trade it for anything. The funeral will be this Saturday, Dec. 6, 2008 at 11 a.m. Thank you so much for all your prayers.
