Virginia

For the past four years our family undertook the responsibility of caring for my elderly mother who suffered from dementia.  At times it was an arduous and humbling experience.  The daily needs were sometimes overwhelming.  Looking back we understand the great blessing it was to be close to Mom in her waning years- to appreciate and honor all she had given to her family and guide her through the confusion of the last few years.  Family was the core of her being and she poured out her life for us in many ways. As we pass through the many transitions in life, the basic values of faith, family, and friends become more and more central to our lives. 

Mom passed away October 3^rd to be reunited with her husband and all her family who had gone before her.  Rest in peace, Mom. 

Barb’s words on her mom’s passing leads me to reflect on the blessing she brought to our house.  I often did not recognize the gift.  Saint Faustina in her book “Diary” discussed her weaknesses and one was that when presented with a vessel of grace she was often distracted with the vessel, Virginia was a vessel of grace to us. 

As you know by now, family events consume our free time.  With Barb’s mom no longer sharing our daily lives, we have just begun to realize the grandkid trip to Omaha or Hannibal areas can be done in a day. 

We saw the most interesting state park Halloween theme “horror” night sponsored by wonderful campers near Hannibal last week.  Miles of night lighted trails and competing attention grabbing goodie stations were a thrill for young and old alike; something new for us and the grandkids.