May 17

30 YEARS Married to the most wonderful man, father of my sons and love of my life; God has His hands all over it!

Wow a lot has changed in the last month

Since I last posted my life has changed dramatically. I am still posted in Stuttgart Germany and still have the same job, but on a personal level it has been an emotional roller coaster.

I took an unexpected trip back to Oklahoma on 24 April to be with family as my father faced life threatening surgery. It was a 23 hour trip and we were flying the first weekend after they re-opened European airspace from the volcanic dust cloud drifting over from Iceland.

Upon arrival we were met at the airport by son Sean and his wife April. They took us to Mom’s house to spend the night (ah vertical). We got up early Sunday morning and headed to the hospital to see my Dad. He was sleeping when we got there but I sat and took his hand. After a few minutes he opened his eyes, gave the a very big smile and in a very clear voice asked an excited “How are you?”. He was pleased to see me and I felt the same. I talked about life in Germany, he told me he loved me the best he could and listen more as I talked. Before long he drifted off to sleep.

We went to lunch with Alan’s parents and Mom and Van’s Pig Stand (sure was good) and then headed back to the hospital where we got to visit a short time with Aunt Susie and John Potts. I am not sure how long we stayed at the hospital that day but it seems like Daddy was making great progress and would soon be back on target for returning to Cherry Laurel Drive.

The next morning we were met by Daddy’s Nursing Home doctor and were floored by his complete lack of bedside manner. Alan took charge and called in the reinforcements and by the next day Daddy was back in the care of his long time family physician,

Annaleise was scheduled for an Ultra-Sound and the results while not completely conclusive indicated that their new baby was a girl! They were not fully committed to the results so were reluctant to start going PINK.

Daddy seemed to be doing so much better until Wednesday and then he took a turn for the worse, a breathing machine was ordered along with other tests and all the family gathered at the hospital waiting and watching the stats as they cycled across the machine. Somewhere late in the week Daddy slipped away and never reopened his eyes. We made plans to honor his wishes to “Go Home” as Mother promised.

Monday, 3 May, The kids decided they wanted a better answer on BUG (Baby of Unknown Gender) so they scheduled another ultra-sound and invited family to come and witness. This was amazing, I heard my grandchild's heart beat and saw her precious profile and watched her move around. It certainly was refreshing and uplifting to watch this new life, and tears flowed! They confirmed the BUG is a girl.

Following the ultra-sound and lunch at Charleston's we went shopping for pink stuff. I found a cute Daddy loves Me pink outfit that had cute little lady bugs on it and another pink giraffe print outfit that said Mommy and Me and the matching giraffe wind up musical toy for the baby. Another great diversion - shopping.

Then the kids had us over for Birthday/Mothers Day as we were scheduled to fly back home on 4 May and they would not get to be with us on these special days. The food was great and the gifts were so thoughtful! On our way back to Norman we stopped at the hospital to check in. No change so Monday evening we decided everyone needed a good night sleep (as much as one can get under these circumstances) and everyone went home.

WE had had 2 different doctors tell us on Monday that if we got on that Tuesday plane we would be turning right back around and flying back so we made the decision to stay for another 8 days. Delta Airlines was so wonderful, they made return flight arrangements and did not charge us any additional fees.

Tuesday, 4 May, was spent in the hospital and and for some reason I just could not leave Daddy’s room. Things were not looking good and we called Perry suggesting he might want to come back to Norman. Around 6:45 during a breathing treatment, Daddy’s heart just stopped beating and he quietly passed. The hospital staff surged and we were immediately surrounded with care givers both for those of us in the room and Daddy. Perry was a few miles away and Pat went to get Mother, Alan made phone calls and the hospital staff took over and cleared the room taking all the “stuff” out making room for our family as we waited for the funeral home to came pick Daddy’s body up.

Let me tell you that 4th Floor Staff was amazing, they were always there caring, comforting making sure we were looked after as they cared for Daddy. They had a very hard job and did it with grace and compassion. It was a blessing to us to have such wonderful caregivers handling Daddy during his last earthly days. And how fortunate we were to have 2 skilled doctors know when it was the right time to tell us not to leave; postpone your flight and stay you will be needed.

It was a tough night but you know when you are a believer, it was also a comforting night. Daddy was no longer suffering. Several comments were made but the one I liked the most was that Dad a self taught carpenter was now in Heaven with the Master carpenter.

5-7 May, Plans were made and Daddy’s body was put to rest, services were held on Friday 7 May. Family gathered at Moms for an evening meal. Sean was so gracious for pulling this all together for us and it was so good.

Saturday, 8 May, Mother’s Day was approaching and so we went to the Mall to shop for gifts, I slipped in a puddle of spilled Coke (?) and hit my head, passed out and felt like I had broken my wrist and severely bruised my hip. Another trip to the hospital where X-rays and CT showed everything was fine but I would be very sore for a few days. Meds were given and we headed back to Norman. Sunday morning, 9 May I awoke and planned to go to church with Mother but either the meds or the bang to the head put me back in bed for the day.

Thankfully we had not picked Monday, 10 May for the service as that evening the Oklahoma weather spun up and spilled out all over the state. Norman and nearby Noble were hit hard as well as Moore and Choctaw. We stayed the night in Edmond and had a nice visit with Donita before she left to go to Ponca City (she waited out the storms).

Tuesday, 11 May, we went to the Greenview to check on damage. It was obvious that there had been hail in the neighborhood and our roof needed to be looked at but thankfully no additional fence panels were donwed. So as we prepared to head back to Germany Alan was going to have to try and work insurance and roof replacement remotely. Then Alan got a call from Sean about the claims that had started rolling in. He suggested that perhaps Alan could stay work with our insurance people direct and help work claims if Laura thought she could use the extra help. Alan was reluctant to send me back to Germany but I reassured him I was fine and would be going back to our home, my job, friends who had proven in the past to take good care of me. That day we went to eat lunch with my DISA family from building 201 where I used to work. It was so good to see them!

Wednesday, 12 May I got on a plane and Alan started working insurance claims and appraisals.

Thursday, 13 May I arrived back I Germany, it was strange that the trains were not coming by every 5 minutes but I got to the bus stop just in time to get on a waiting bus. After arriving home the landlords told me it was a German holiday so thankfully I had gotten to the bus stop just in time or would have been waiting an hour in the rain. Zapped and needing a nap I fell into OUR bed, after sending a few quick emails and setting up the Magic Jack.

Friday, 14 May I spent the day lounging around watching TV and reading a good book “90 Minutes in Heaven”.

Saturday, 15 May was spent getting things done around the house and writing Thank You notes, we had so much to be thankful for including the 2 plus weeks I was home.

Sunday, 16 May I ventured out, mailed the thank you notes, bought and put up some lace curtains (Thank you Mom and Pops Mitchell) and prepared myself for returning back to work after a 2 week break.

Yes a lot has happened since 24 April, we suffered a great loss, cried some long postponed tears, celebrated the life of my father, listened to the heart beat of our soon to be born grandchild, spent good times with friends, spent waiting room time with family (not quality time due to the circumstances but it was good to be with them) caught a few moments alone with each other, celebrated Birthday and Mother’s Day with family and now as I reflect back on all this before heading back to work tomorrow I am happy.

As my daughter-in-law recently posted there is a time for everything and a season for every activity under heaven (Ecclesiastes 3). Which then reminds me of a favorite hymn It Is Well With My Soul: When peace, like a river, attendeth my way, When sorrows like sea billows roll; Whatever my lot, Thou has taught me to say, It is well, it is well, with my soul