Liz's Staff page update

Ah, I'm proud of all my girls. Rachel is knocking it out of the park with her music and school work. Bekkah is doing EXCELLENTLY at college, balancing academics, extra curricular and being accepted into the Sorority of her choice (Sigma Kappa). Liz is back in the Dominican Republic after a short 4 day stint in NH visiting Patrick. She just sent me their internal memo introducing her to the team, thought I would include that here:


Staff Profile

Liz Poulin

Liz Poulin As HOPE Trips Liaison in the Dominican Republic (D.R.), Liz Poulin has learned that even setbacks can become great learning opportunities. She tells the story of a recent HOPE Trip following a time of heavy rains in the D.R.: "Our guagua, the Dominican name given to a 32-passenger bus, got stuck in mud as we were driving into a community. Instead of despairing, the trippers saw this as the perfect opportunity to become more familiar with the realities of rural microfinance, announcing, 'Loan associates do not arrive to bank meetings in air-conditioned guaguas, so why should we?'"

Liz first heard about microfinance in an international politics class at Messiah College. Peter Greer, HOPE's president, had been invited to speak to the class, and Liz was immediately struck by the possibilities: "I remember sitting in the lecture and thinking, 'Wow, what if, instead of spending significant resources on short term mission trips and handouts, churches looked for sustainable solutions to poverty?' Needless to say, I was hooked."

Once hooked, Liz looked for further opportunities to learn more about microfinance. She became involved with the microeconomic development group at Messiah, eventually becoming a project leader and traveling to Zambia as part of a team that implemented Christ-centered savings and credit associations this past summer. Liz also spent last spring interning with the programs team at HOPE CSU. After graduating from Messiah in May with a degree in political science and a minor in Spanish, she accepted the position of HOPE Trips liaison and moved to the D.R. in July.

When not leading a HOPE Trip, Liz organizes logistics for future trips, follows up with past trips, and coordinates meetings with Esperanza staff members to better learn about Dominican microfinance and Esperanza's associates.

As a member of the HOPE team, Liz continues to appreciate the holistic approach of microfinance: "[It] changes the job entirely as clients are no longer seen as consumers, but as individuals with a face and a significant story. Equally rewarding is the ability to witness the pride that associates have for their businesses and for the services, such as health care and education, that, as a result of increased revenue from their business, they are now able to provide to their children and family members."

p.s. My girls also include my beloved Lucie, who besides working her new position with her trademark style and excellence is losing weight by counting points. Go Lucie.

watching glaciers move

Perhaps not glaciers, but more like a watched pot never boils ... when you anticipate, expect, desire that something happens, you often get impatient and look away right before "IT" happens. You might even miss it. I think that's what many of us do when we want to press on with our futures.

As of today, I've accepted a position with Revolution Technologies, which is placing me in railinc as an automation lead starting Aug. 30th. I am also looking to speak with an individual about a job position in the institutional branch of Fidelity, doing test management / coordination. It seemed like I would never find something "decent" for a job, and I potentially have two opportunities.

I thank all of you who are cheering me on, but I really need to thank God for His faithfullness. Refinanced to 4.25% and had no mortgage payments for two months. That was a blessing. Severance from Fidelity, and insurance payments equal to what I was paying as an employee ... that too was a blessing. NC is a "concurrent" state, which means that one can collect unemployment after vacation funds are paid out. That too was a blessing ... adding to that, the ability to help Lucie out with the summit, and finding out that she can put off her knee replacements ... all blessings.

Do I think I am better than others, and draw good karma to myself? Nope, like St. Paul, I am chief among sinners, and the things I ought not to do, I do, and the things I ought to do, I don't do ... so what is it. Why such favor from God? Dunno ... don't deserve it, just blessed, blessed and grateful to the mighty one of Israel.

Those of you praying? Thank you. Those of you jealous ... I don't know what to say ... God is good, all the time.

Wonderful seeing the Galuckis, Steels & Sanfords this week!

Man, it was action packed, well, maybe not by other's standards, but for this ole boy, it was. I am TERRIBLE at mini golf, I did avoid doubling Lee's score, but that was pure beginner's luck.

We said goodbye to Liz Friday morning ... she is now in the Dominican Republic working with Hope International. She says the appartment that she'll eventually co-rent has a balcony that looks over the Presidential Palace. Pretty cool!

At night they light it up, and Liz says this is literally 3 minutes from her apartment.  She has a Wi-Fi phone and if you have a Vonage account you can call her with no charge, pretty cool.  Spoke to her today, she was on her way to church (could that be a code-word for a discotheque?)

Bek and Rach go to Daytona tomorrow for "big-stuff" for a week, and then Bek goes to NH after that ... she's gonna work at Soul Fest in the coffee booth ... I can't keep up with these guys.

Job front is "slow" applications filled, resumes sent out, however guess "the" job hasn't quite opened up yet.

Tomorrow we have a pot-luck pool party

Our small group will be coming over at 6pm.  It will be fun to "chill-ax" by the pool.  We are on a light schedule for this summer, meeting every other week, alternating between prayer and worship music and a pot-luck.  Food for the body and soul.

Last time I wrote I avoided the latest news in my life, not wanting Liz to find out via a blog what was going on at home.  Since then we've had Bekkah graduate and both she and Rachel finish their year at Woods.  Lucie and I went with Bekkah for her college orientation  the last week of June.  My news is that as of June 2nd I am no longer showing up for work at Davis Drive.  Am working diligently on getting my marketing plan together for my next great adventure.  One of the tasks, besides documenting what I do is taking a survey of where I want to be in five years.  One month has flown by already, and while I've sent out some resumes and had some phone interviews, I've not had a face to face interview yet.  It can be quite daunting and discouraging, however I hold on to "all things working for good" to those who love and serve the Lord.  So this will lead to something better.

Midnight at the Oasis

OK, so more like 3:30 AM in the dining room. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9NgYumBLjE8&feature=related Not Maria Muldaur's version, don't know if the cactus is my friend.

Heard from Liz, they are back to Choma with some great things coming before she comes home on Tuesday:

Just wanted to let you know that we just arrive back from Simwaanda this morning and are slowly recovering from a busy day in the village!

We did however successfully start three savings groups in the village! The people here have been amazing- and I have a Zambian family who wanted me top tell my US parents that they say hi and will miss me terribly :)

...life in the bush is so simple, yet so incredible! This trip has probably been the hardest thing I have experienced in awhile but God is SO faithful and has been so incredible at reminding me of His presence.

 

We are planning on visiting the savings and loan groups that were started last year and are thriving on Friday in Simaubi, and will be traveling to Livingstone to go to a game park and to Victoria Falls on Saturday! We leave fopr Lusaka on Sunday and will fly out on Monday to Johannesburg and then NY, to dulles, and finally I will be at RDU!

See you in ONE week!

LizzY

It was great to hear from Liz again.  Looking forward to hearing her voice and giving her a great big hug.  We had Liz's cousin and friend come down to visit us over the holiday weekend, as Abby put it, "Just isn't the same without Liz here".

So what am I doing up so early / late?  Well, my head hurt ... have some sort of infection under my scalp and it woke me up, did hot compresses and took 800mg Motrin, throbbing has ceased, so I'm going back to bed.  Don't have to tell any of you that I need my beauty sleep!  Bek graduates from high school June 12th (only 9 days away!).  Lucie and I go to her college orientation on the 27th and 28th ... She starts in mid-August, and she is already ordering her sheet sets and the like.  Both she and Rachel have been house sitting / dog watching this week.  No more little girls!  Pray for us, this is a real season of change, and we'll need guidance, peace and strength through it all.

Simwaanda or Bust: Away from communique's for the next 9 days

Won't hear from Lizzie over the next nine days.  She's actually in the villages (Simwaanda) teaching them about microfinance, delivering a curriculum to set up local savings and loans. Simwaanda is 27 miles out of Choma, along a "cow path" so internet cafe's are a lacking!  She'll work there with a partner (another student from Messiah College) and an interpreter.  She's asked for prayer, you see Liz usually speaks to one or both Lucie and I every day, sometimes several times a day.  She also emails, talks to friends, Pat, Abby ... and then there was the continuous drama of living on campus with deadlines, grades, job searching ... well, she has none of that right now.  It is a great time of introspection and relying on the Lord ... but all very scary just the same.  Can you take some time and ask that angels would minister to her and that she would feel His presence, very closely and very real?

Liz also has cankles ... which is not a technical term, but she does get swelling in her feet and they've been bothering her (aside from giving her less than Betty Grabel-esque looking legs, they can be quite uncomfortable).  Don't know if the tropical temps exacerbate the condition, but she is being hampered by the swelling feet.

Liz is in Zambia, alive and well

Hello my loves!

I just wanted to let you know that I am ALIVE :) and very well!

After 2 days of travel, and a day spent in London, we arrived in Lusaka Zambia this afternoon with everyone and all of the luggage! (woot woot!) I am sorry I couldn't get a hold of you (mum and dad) sooner- I meant to bring my London cellphone but forgot to pack it at the last minute!

We will be traveling to local MFIs starting tomorrow and will be leaving for Choma on Saturday. I will email again if I have access to internet however I am not sure when that will be!


I love you all and miss you terribly! If you could send up prayers for health and safety for the team, that would be fantastic! Currently I have not taken my malaria as I didnt want to get sick while traveling and my feet resemble sausages due to changing pressure in the planes and the inability to actually lie down at night for the past 2 days. haha. I'm hoping the swelling be go down by tomorrow!

 LizzY

Liz landed in the UK today, and is now en route to Ethiopia

From Adis-Abbaba she flies to Zambia.  We last spoke to her last night at around 10PM as she was boarding her plane from Dulles to Heathrow.

This picture was taken Sunday in Grantham PA.  If you want to see some more pictures, visit Pat's picassaweb site.  I'll get updates regarding Liz's adventures through the groups blog.

Graduation Day, May 15, 2010

We got to see Liz walk across the stage and get her Bachelor of Arts in Political Science at Messiah College. She graduated Magna Cum Laude, and with departmental honors. She worked hard these past four years and it paid off. Photos of the Graduation

She heads out to Zambia in a few days, and will return after she helps teach some microfinance courses to locals. Here is a link to the Zambia blog. They should post during the next 3 weeks.

When she comes back, she prepares for yet another departure to the Dominican Republic, where she has been offered a position with Hope International.  My little girl is not so little anymore.  Please pray for her as she travels to Africa, then Hispaniola.

HOPE International / Dominican Republic from Kendra Jones Morris on Vimeo.

Tuesday April 27th

Wow, I haven't posted in a while. We've planted some plants around the pool. The windmill palm is just about 14 inches tall right now:

We've also planted some Encore Azaleas, which will bloom twice in a season, hence the name encore. Today I planted some ornamental grasses. Blue Festuca Glauca


And some Zebra grass

Bought some banana plants too, but those are in pots for this first month, then will go into the ground

He has risen indeed!

We put on a short drama Easter Sunday, entitled "Three Witnesses".



I know the camera can add 10 lbs, but go figure our church would find one that adds 30! Today was 90 degrees in Durham NC. Pool temp is 59 degrees, the water is greenish and the pollen is on the surface, so it will take 48 hours before it clears up. Who knows how long it takes before it warms up! Gee going in now would be like going to Hampton in June ... naw, that's an exaggeration, it gets to 68 there in the summer doesn't it?



For now, I'll skim and vacuum the pool in anticipation of the day we can actually go in.

Durham, NC (27707) Weather Forecast

Holy week

A video for Dad to watch ... http://www.newhopenc.org/message-videos/cross-and-resurrection---part-1.html Has scenes from Mel Gibson's "Passion". ... What about the cross, this video has clips that might make you cringe.


I may be in a sketch this Sunday, Easter morning. If we do put it on, I'll post a link to that as well. I spoke to Dad, and said I would ask if one of my sibs might invite him over to view the video. I think you might be able to right-click on the link, download it to your pc, and bring the laptop to Dad's appartment.

Cecile, Dad tells me you check on him daily, you are much better at the whole caring thing than I am. Claire he told me you stayed over last night ... he's just blessed that you guys are all doing what you can ... me? I made him cry, ok, so I kinda cried myself, telling him I miss Mom. I just sneaks up on me, something reminds me of her, and there I am complete surprised by the wave of emotions.

I hope you guys are all doing well, that you have great holiday plans, eat way too much on Sunday and have chocolate overload! We look forward to having all our chicken's in one coop as Liz is coming down on Thursday for her easter holiday. Bek wants to visit App State with a girl who wants to room with her from school ... Rachel just competed in the NC state gymnastics last weekend and ended up in the top 10 of her age group. This accomplishment with her having missed many practices and school the previous week due to a the Norwal? virus .... so we are all doing well. Thinking of you guys often, sending you big bear hugs.

If I do "act" this weekend, I'll post the link.

Happy Easter

Song "Into Marvelous Light"


Song "Lord Have Mercy"

Oh yeah, the gov't will tell me what I need for insurance

Oh no they didn't ... oh yes they did ...
The Brits wonder why we are so (USA) or why some of us were so averse to having the government dictate / control our health care.

I'm on hold right now, with my company insurance company, looking at claims that they rejected. I imagine some bureaucrat in DC telling me they'll get back to me at some future date ... as frustrating as it is to deal with insurance I'm dealing with someone who if they are not nice " Could " lose their jobs ... do I really want to deal with some "entitled" individual who doesn't give a hoot about me ...

Back to the Brits, I worked with someone who came from England, and he said they never had to pay taxes, the 44% taxes were taken off the top by the government, you never had to file income taxes .... but that was over 20 years ago ... 44% taxes?

Do you really want to give the government that much control over your money? OK, so now it's been 1/2 hour ... working with the HSA/FSA people, then our HR person, then this is the second, oops now going back through the insurance phone loop ... Now repeated all that info, and going to the next member service representative ... now on hold, but at least the musac is better ... more calming ... oh yes, let the government do this

I'm walking in 9 minutes ... maybe that will alleviate some stress ....

OK, so many of you asked how I've been. I appreciate the concern, but overall I've been good. Every once in a while the reality of losing Mom will grab me. I usually follow that up with a call to Dad. He's having a tough time, but loves that all of us are checking in. Lizzie went to visit him last week when she was in NH visiting her beau. He was thrilled! They went to eat at the Dairy Bar, and he insisted on paying ... she felt bad, as her intent was to take him out ... but Pepere wouldn't let her. He was just so happy to see her.

I had a dream the week before Mom died, one of my off-the-wall dreams that Lucie just shakes her head at ... what would Freud say? After Mom passed, I did have one evening that the reality just snuck up on me (past tense of sneak?)It left me with a real ache, like the kind I felt saying goodbye at her deathbed. Part of the grieving process, but still surprises you how hard the emotion can hit you out of nowhere. Mom would want us all to focus on positive things in our life. She tried to impart joy and we joked how she would sing to us in the morning ... "It's a lovely day today" or "Good Morning, good morning" ...(put out your best Doris Day / Debbie Reynolds voices) ...

I've noticed a change in my daughters too. I think they realized how fickle / fragile life can be ... don't get me wrong, 85 years with the majority of them healthy is nothing to snicker at, but somehow it seems that there's more consideration from them. More checking in with us, and more "grace" for our quirks than usual. Change is inevitable, now Rachel is driving ... Bek has yet to decide which college she will choose, Liz has a beau, Lucie's job is going gangbusters and I've got a new boss ... nothing stays the same "Everything's been changed ..."




Lyrics | 5th Dimension lyrics - Everything's Been Changed lyrics

Liz is winding down her senior year at Messiah

Here is Liz with co-workers at Messiah's EPI center

She also got to share about her politic's internship in London England:


Bekkah got accepted to App State in Boone NC, which was her first choice. She wants to visit/revisit the three colleges to make her final selection. She's liking the UNC Greensboro campus which is about an hour away from home, and ECU is one she and her girlfriends are going to on an upcoming weekend.

Back in North Carolina

We drove through the night (Thursday night). We got to Messiah College to drop Liz off, and we had traveled 10+ hours, normally a 7.5 hour drive, but we hit snow, lots of it from NY through just outside Harrisburg. We were beat, but Rachel drove then I did, and Lucie drove the last 3 hours and we got in around 4AM on Friday. I just wanted to not have to deal with traffic after all the snow and was afraid that the snow would delay us in the AM.

Here is the eulogy, at least in part, I really didn't read this word for word, there are parts I added / deleted, but you get a general idea. Thanks again for all your kind words and prayers. I felt surrounded by God's love the entire week.

---

Good morning. Welcome to a celebration of my mom’s life. Eulogies can be sad and emotional, I’m going to try to be respectful, but somehow if I say something stupid, I can imagine Mom saying “niaiseux!" or “Bonasse” or “pauvre imbecile". What is heaven like? It is written,”Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him." (1 Corinthians 2:9)

Revelation 21:4 (King James Version)
And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.

Revelations 21 which describes heaven? I picture her smiling and wide-eyed looking at the beauty of Heaven. Here's a portion of it:

12-14
The City shimmered like a precious gem, light-filled, pulsing light. ...
15-20
…The wall was jasper, the color of Glory, and the City was pure gold, translucent as glass. The foundations of the City walls were garnished with every precious gem imaginable: the first foundation jasper, the second sapphire, the third agate, the fourth emerald, the fifth onyx, the sixth carnelian, the seventh chrysolite, the eighth beryl, the ninth topaz, the tenth chrysoprase, the eleventh jacinth, the twelfth amethyst. The twelve gates were twelve pearls, each gate a single pearl.
21-27
The main street of the City was pure gold, translucent as glass. But there was no sign of a Temple, for the Lord God—the Sovereign-Strong—and the Lamb are the Temple. The City doesn't need sun or moon for light. God's Glory is its light, the Lamb its lamp! The nations will walk in its light and earth's kings bring in their splendor. Its gates will never be shut by day, and there won't be any night. They'll bring the glory and honor of the nations into the City. Nothing dirty or defiled will get into the City, and no one who defiles or deceives. Only those whose names are written in the Lamb's Book of Life will get in.

Mom loved to collect rocks, I can just see her tucking one of the stones away in a pocket!

I asked my siblings if they had thoughts to share about Mom. My sister Jeanne writes: “20 years ago Mom told me she’d never seen a baby born. She’d labored seven times and they “put me to sleep” for the actual birth. I asked her if she would be with me when Katelyn was born. She cried. She and Dad came home early from Florida to be here. I was scared but somehow it was better with Mom here … everything was always easier with her by my side.”

We are here to celebrate Mom’s new life; you know we’ve gotten such an outpouring of well wishes and sympathy for losing Mom. If we look at it selfishly, we weep, we mourn, we grieve, but when we think of what she endured these past months and how now she is at peace we MUST rejoice. We all have a birth date, and like the old saying about counting on death and taxes, we have a date where we check out. What's interesting about that is they usually separate the two with a "DASH" "-". That dash represents your life, and the dash is all that matters.

This past week, like last year, we’ve spent quality, laughter filled times. It may seem to an outsider a bit irreverent, but had Mom been there as the Mom we remember, she would have been belly-laughing with us. I was also told I couldn’t make fun of my family … there goes all my best material.

Mom loved LIFE. Life as I would describe it was not one lived alone; it was surrounded by family, extended family, church family and friends. Dad would bring home someone for supper, and nobody batted an eye. Mom took it in stride (at least in front of us, you’ll have to ask Dad if he ever got an ear full behind closed doors). People always felt welcome, because at our house they WERE welcomed.
One of Mom’s sayings was, “If you are allergic to dust, best you stay away, otherwise come on in …” Mom first and foremost was a servant … getting out her fancy dishes and putting snacks in them, making sure everyone had something to drink, and no meal was complete without some dessert.

Mom wasn’t perfect! Especially if you were NOT a morning person. It seems as we polled each other her songs changed over the years, but I remember the Debbie Reynolds ditty, “Good morning, good morning …” man, luckily for her I didn’t do much more than pull my sheets over my head.

The song and smile was often followed by “Did you offer your day to God today?” “Think of all those people who couldn’t get out of their beds today?” All I could think of was did she have to be so flippin’ chipper in the morning
Mom wore rose colored glasses … I don’t mean literally, but figuratively. She chose optimism over pessimism, these last few months, it was hard to see her struggle. I’m so relieved that now, I can imagine her pain free, clear minded, no more suffering and being in the presence of her Lord and King. Mom is happy. We should be happy. My sister Claire said it best when she said, “She’s Free at Last”.

We always want to do what’s right at these times, being respectful (for some of us it’s easier than others) (I’m trying real hard not to be a wise guy, but I don’t want to be so good, that Mom wouldn’t recognize me). I have known my Mom to lose it, I’m not talking about a fit of rage, I’m talking about a fit of laughter. Like the time in church where I tugged her sleeve and asked if the priest had been drinking … or like the time her 80 year old mother, Mémère Tremblay fell down the steps … I can still see my Mom not able to finish that story, ”le fou rire” would catch her and you couldn’t help but laugh along.

Mom was good, but it’s not her goodness that got her to heaven, it’s heaven that got her to goodness. She knew she needed Jesus. She understood that his stripes and shed blood paid the way for her. It’s not her suffering that got her into heaven. She knew that Jesus paid the price. She understood that He made the way. She is in His presence because she got it. She needed Jesus, and He took her just as she was! To please Him, to please God, she used her gifts to the best of her abilities. Yes Mom was good. Goodness isn’t what gets you to heaven. Jesus is what gets you to heaven. She said yes, I will serve You. You will be my Lord, my God. When you call someone Lord, He’s the boss. He’s the master. My Mom knew how to serve and she modeled her life on Jesus and his followers, the saints. She wasn’t perfect, only God is perfect, but she got it. She understood, it’s not about me, it’s about Jesus, and it’s about others.

Jesus is “the way the truth and the light”. If we took out the East Mason Street Bridge and had us all line up to jump across to the east side none of us could make it. However, the cross of Christ becomes our bridge. It is a straight and narrow way, and sometime we start to slip and He’s there to pull us back up. None of us could make it to the other side on our own power. We need a Savior. Mom did too, she asked Him in … and she made it to heaven by what He did, not what she did.
There is no reason anyone here cannot join Mom someday. There is NO EXCUSE. Do what she did, make Jesus Lord. You may never be able to be as good as Mom, and do all the things she did cheerfully, but that’s not what we have to do to get to heaven. It is a gift that no one can earn, and like any other gift you can’t walk away with it unless you reach out and accept it. Mom got it, she got that Jesus needed to be her Lord and Master. She served him the best way she knew how. We’re all different, don’t wait until you clean up your act, that’s an excuse and it won’t happen. Jesus takes you just as you are, warts and all.

I look forward to the day, I look forward to the moment, when like Mom, in a twinkling of an eye I will see Him face to face. There’s an old gospel hymn “Far side bank of Jordan”: that says

I believe my steps are growing wearier each day
Still I have a journey on my mind.
Hurts of this old world have ceased to make me want to stay
But my one regret is leaving you behind.

Now if it proves to be his will that I am first to go
Somehow I have a feeling it may be
When it comes your time to travel likewise don't you feel lost
For I will be the first one that you see.

(Chorus)
And I’ll be waiting on the far side bank of Jordan
I’ll be waiting drawing pictures in the sand
And when I see you coming I will rise up with a shout
And come running through the shallow waters reaching for your hand.

Now through this life we've labored hard to earn our meager share
It's brought us trembling hands and tear-dimmed eyes.
But I'll just wait here on the shore and turn my face away
Until you come and we'll see paradise

Let’s pray …

Wow, the snow is gently falling ...

I sit in my suit, have to be down the street in about 15 minutes, so this will be short ...

Thanks once again for the outpouring of support. We had the "wake" yesterday, and I got so see relatives, highschool classmates and numerous others who were there for my family. Really overwhelming how many well-wishers there was.

Today I get to give the eulogy ... I've got it sketched out in my mind, a few thoughts scribbled down. I want today to be a celebration of Mom's life, and the legacy she leaves behind. We weren't a perfect family, we struggle like everyone else, but I just hope today I can remind everyone of the laughter, joys and happiness my Mom was all about, and that today she no longer suffers, she no longer feels trapped in her own body, but she is FREE.

Thank you all for surrounding us in prayers, they have been comforting and very much felt.

Mom's online obiturary

I know, I know it's so morbid. Two things you can count on death and taxes ...
http://www.mem.com/ContentDisplay.aspx?ID=18882784&lang=en.

A better link to see the online obit is http://www.legacy.com/dignity-memorial/obituary.aspx?n=Theresa-Poulin&lc=1705&mid=4151715

I've truly been impressed with the outpouring of condolences. Want you all to know that we are really doing well. My Mom's disease had hindered her so badly, that we know she no longer suffers or feels trapped in her own body.

My immediate family is arriving tonight from southern NH. I'm sure that tomorrow will be tough, but at the same time we know that Mom's suffering has ceased. Here is a song that may capture how tough it may be for Dad to be separated from his better half. The song is "Far Side Bank of Jordan":

---

I believe my steps are growing wearier each day
Still I have a journey on my mind.
Hurts of this old world have ceased to make me want to stay
But my one regret is leaving you behind.

Now if it proves to be his will that I am first to go
Somehow I have a feeling it may be
When it comes your time to travel likewise don't you feel lost
For I will be the first one that you see.

(Chorus)
And I’ll be waiting on the far side bank of Jordan
I’ll be waiting drawing pictures in the sand
And when I see you coming I will rise up with a shout
And come running through the shallow waters reaching for your hand.

Now through this life we've labored hard to earn our meager share
It's brought us trembling hands and tear-dimmed eyes.
But I'll just wait here on the shore and turn my face away
Until you come and we'll see paradise

---

Here is Johnny Cash with his love June Carter ...

Mom has gone to be with the Lord.

Thank you all for your prayers. My sister Cecile and I both had uneventful flights in, no delays and drove up arriving at the hospital around 2:30 AM. Mom was unresponsive, but we were able to talk to her and love on her. My siblings all came in around 5AM after we called and said her respirations had changed. We all prayed with Mom and told her that she was free to go, that her work here was done. She slipped quietly round 8:30 AM this morning.

We are resting, getting ready to plan the funeral, which is scheduled for this coming Wednesday at 11AM. My head is fuzzy from all the emotions and lack of sleep, but I really did feel the prayers of the saints surrounding us. Thank you!

Not long before Mom went home to see Jesus, I shared with my family a song that my daughter Rebekkah had sung to Lucie's dad in the hospital when he was dying. Imagine Miss Bekkah, as a two or three year old singing in a sweet voice to her grandpa. We had gotten a cassette tape (yes I'm that old) and would play it, Bekkah had heard it, and for whatever reason as we were saying our goodbyes, started singing ... Soon and very soon, we are going to see the King ...

I did not sing this to my family, (you see, it sounds right in my head, but unfortunately my gift from God is not vocals, but I do have the gift of sarcasm!) but rather than singing, I recited the verses for my family ... No more crying there ... and no more dying there. It wasn't long after that Mom went home to see the King.

Flight plans moved up to ... Today

Thanks for all the prayers, I asked that Mom go quickly, and she's taken a turn for the worse. She's developed pneumonia and has a 103 fever. I may not make it north in time to see her alive, but she's currently unresponsive. Appreciate all the warm thoughts and prayers.

Please pray for traveling mercies for me and my sister Cecile, who is on a flight through Chicago arriving tonight in Manchester. Pray that there be no weather / mechanical delays and that all go smoothly.

Please pray for me as I fly through BWI tonight, I'll await my sister's arrival, then the two of us will drive up to Berlin.

Please pray for our families we are leaving behind in CA and NC, that they might not be too stressed, and would not have issues to deal with while we are away.

Finally, Mom's name is Theresa, Dad's name is Normand and my siblings are Claire, Paul, Leo, *me*, Cecile, Louise & Jeanne. That we be supportive of each others, our spouses, our children and that we hold up in this stressful time.

Thanks everyone.

Heading to NH

Wow, I'm such a slacker ... at least according to this blog ... it's been a long while since I posted anything, (Nov. 2009) and I'm waxing nostalgic as I prepare to head north to Berlin NH to say goodbye to Mom.

Mom's Lewy Body disease has progressed rapidly since I last saw her at Christmas time. She is not eating (4-5 sips of a smoothie daily) not drinking in addition to that. She spends most of her days sleeping and is not able to walk without assist. I look forward to holding her hand, telling her I love her and letting her know that we'll all be fine.

She's a fighter, having come back from her deathbed last May, she worked hard to get back home, but the difficulty swallowing, hallucinations and weight loss are back in full vengeance. Please pray that she go quickly and quietly. Please also pray for my Dad as he prepares to say goodbye to his beloved, who's stood by him through thick and thin and has been his greatest support and cheer leader. Dad spends much time weeping, feeling frustrated that he can't do more for Mom.

My sibs in NH are upping the home health care hours to 10 hours / day now. This way meals for Dad and personal care for Mom can be handled by those best able to help. I want to thank my relatives back in Berlin, the sister/brother-in-laws and my siblings for all they are doing.

My trip starts next Thursday, so I'll be able to spend Friday through Sunday with the folks and head back home on Monday. My sister Cecile from CA will be up the next week, and the week after that, Liz and her boyfriend Pat will stop in when she is on her spring break in NH. (I know, she didn't get the memo that you are supposed to head SOUTH for spring break ... )

I covet your prayers, we don't know how long Mom can hold on, but just pray for peace and strength for all. Nostalgia makes me think of how many times, it was Mom who spent "la nuite blanche" (literally "white night", but means pulling an all nighter) tending to us with cold compresses and hot mustard compacts. Mom was always strong and hard working, now her body is giving up on her. I'm sure she must be so frustrated, not being able to care for herself, let alone others.

I plan on reminding Mom that her work is done, and now she can rest and "go home". She's leaving a good legacy behind her, with 7 children, all married, none divorced. Dad reminded me that they had 59 great years, and that while year 60 has had its hardships, that they've still had each other.

Here is a song which, sappy as it may be, was made famous by Edith Piaf. Here it is in english. For those of you who don't want a sappy song, then don't click on this ... you've been warned ..



Actually, I prefer this in French, Mom's native tongue. Here is the original diva, Edith Piaf singing "Hymne a l'Amour".

Lyrics | Edith Piaf lyrics - Hymne A L'amour (Hymn To Love) lyrics