Doing pretty well~~

I know I should be more faithful in my posts...but the days/weeks seem to be flying by!!!  It's not that I don't have things on my mind to share...it's just that I don't stop long enough to write!

Between Linda and I we have been getting thank yous out to the many people who gave donations to Mom's memorial fund....which totaled slightly over $1,100 dollars.  The Onekama Church of the Brethren is going to use it towards instrument repair and updating for the church organ....something Mom would have been glad to do!

Dad is doing pretty good and is settling in to his new apartment at Green Acres in Cadillac. We see him at least a couple times/day...he has had some visitors..and has many opportunities for activities with other residents.  On Sunday we have picking him up to go to church at Rollins Christian Fellowship.  We know he misses Mom so much....but the closeness of family softens the loneliness.  Linda and Andrea and Elliiott visited about a week ago...and are looking forward to coming again:)

On the home front we continue to have summer projects here and there....Ken has a beautiful garden planted and we are eating the 'vegetables" of his labor.
So far we have enjoyed radishes, beans, zucchini, summer squash, cherry tomatoes, carrots (which still have some growing to do...but Yum..they are great).  The pool is nice and warm...the yard is mowed...the roses are still blooming.   I MISS MY MOM!

We have made a few trips over to Onekama, and Dad, Linda, and I are discussing the next step regarding the house and belongings.  We are in no particular hurry...and we are so thankful for the peace and togetherness we feel as a family. i.e. we get along...work as a team..and have great communication:)

Joel is scheduled for another Christian Horizon's camp Aug. 1-7...we are looking forward to a quiet week:) 

Linda and I are going to the National Scleroderma Foundation's conference in Boston Massachusetts July 30,31, Aug1.  This is the first time I will have attended this conference...and we are truly looking forward to all it has to offer.  There will be many workshops to choose from, key note speakers, and an awards banquet!  I needed a good reason to get a few new clothes~!  LOL

Ken and I went to Ann Arbor Friday 7/23 for my appointment with my scleroderma specialist.  Everything went great!!  I am still continuing to improve...no setbacks...and am so thankful that God is allowing me to enjoy a measure of good health:)


I am adding some pictures in this post from the past few weeks....enjoy:)
Check back soon...

Judy, Dad, Cousin Roger (Zelda's son)

Lunch at Green Acres

Elliott at the grand piano at Green Acres

Cook out at J and Em's with Don and Linda

I walked slightly over a mile and raised $2,000+
for the michigan Chapter of the Scleroderma Foundation

Madeline jumping into Daddy's arms
(No...grandpa didn't push her!)

4 generations!!

Dad, Linda, Andrea, Elliott

Our recent visit with Ken's side of the family
Ken, Pat,Jeanne, Les, Dave, Shelia,
Kamaria (f row)

Dad and Pastor Frances Townsend from the
Onekama Church of the Brethren
This was her visit to Dad's new apartment

Second cousins
We all got together at Uncle Les and Aunt Jeannes

Ken, Dad, and Jason checking out the back yard/woods

Great Grandpa reading a book to Annabelle

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Pictures from my walk for Scleroderma

Ken and I during my walk for scleroderma

Family swim!

Madeline in the "floaty" suit

First Cousins and Mom's memorial

Roger and Judy May (Dad's nephew)
They visited from North Carolina

A Daily Journey

We have so many precious friends and family who know exactly what I mean by the words "A daily journey" after you bid farewell to a loved one. There are ups, there are downs, you cry, you laugh, you just get through each day.

Mom's memorial celebration was beautiful~~~serene~~~beautiful. The kind words brought by Mom and Dad's Pastor were so personal...so loving...so true.  The congregational singing lifted our hearts and spirits and was glorious!!!  We were overwhelmed by the friends and family that came to the visitation, the funeral, and sent card of encouragement!! What a tremendous blessing you are to us and to Dad. 

Since the memorial, Dad has come to Cadillac and is living in an apartment  at Green Acres Assisted Living. Mom and Dad had discussed this option before the Lord took her home...so Dad was already thinking about these arrangements.  Changes in life are so bittersweet...so difficult when many changes are thrown at someone in a short amount of time.  It was heart wrenching to me the first night he stayed there.  Swirling through our heads were the fact that Dad and Mom had been married for 64 years.. all they have ever known is each other...how would Dad face life without her?? 

Linda and I talked numerous times per day....just meeting each new situation..and trying our best to comfort Dad in this transition. Here we were...the daughters...almost taking on the role of Mom's to him. We experienced the feelings that we had when our grown children moved out of the nest~~~wanting to lead/guide/protect.  Yet knowing that Dad would have to walk through this valley, adjust to life without Mom, and sort out out the many emotions and struggles that come with bidding farewell to his beloved wife.

During those days we were surrounded by our families and friends. We saw friends from our growing up years whom we hadn't seen in decades.  Hugs were given....stories exchanged..comfort abounds!  The flowers were beautiful~~~Mom always had flower gardens~~smelling the arrangements reminded me of her lifelong appreciation for God's beautiful world.

I have read and re-read the cards.....cherishing each one's message and the sweet people who sent them.

So here we are...almost ten days later...adjusting to life without our Mom..but not without the memories that grace our hearts!!  Those will last and bring us comfort...every day..every hour...every minute.

Before Mom went to Heaven...I had scheduled to "Step out for a cure" for the Michigan Chapter of the Scleroderma Foundation.  I was scheduled to walk June 26th...the day after she passed.  Knowing how Mom would have encouraged me to continue on....keep my commitment...I did the walk...and not just one mile...a little over:)

Dad stayed with us Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday,  and moved into Green Acres on July 1st.  He is settling in well...and has had visitors already! On Thursday his phone will be hooked up...and we know he would love to hear from you:)  A close friend our ours, Karen Grogan, is the activities director at Green Acres...and we are so thankful she sees our Dad every day. the care givers are wonderful....and have welcomed Dad with open arms and kindness.

Please keep Dad in your hearts and prayers!  Linda and I are so thankful for the loving home we were raised in, the example of godly parents, and special love we were given.  Together as sisters, along with our husbands, children, and their families....we will embrace the times ahead....experiencing the comfort of a loving God...mourning our loss....but rejoicing in the promise of eternity for those who trust in Jesus as their risen Savior and King of Kings!!!

Pictures to follow tomorrow~~~~Thank you dear friends and family!

Dale Hopkins
237 Pearl Street
Room 211
Cadillac, Michigan  49601