Five Angel Flowers?

This is for our Grandchildren and our Children, and the “Child” in all of us.

In the winter of 2000, when Grandpa Perry was sick and in the Hospital, I came up from Florida and visited with him, and with Grandma Nellie, my mother, who seldom left his bedside. We had a nice visit and Daddy seemed to be stronger. Grandma stayed with me at the Fairfield Motel, and one afternoon she felt she should go home and do the necessary things-water the plants, gather in their mail. We told Dad ,who agreed he would be fine, and off we went to Gladwin.
I began to water plants-Grandma used to love plants and had many. She had a real green thumb, and Grandpa liked the flowers, also. They had a really great collection of Orchids. Mama did everything wrong (according to the book) but they bloomed all over the place! They had stopped for the winter, I smiled remembering all the beauty as I began in the living room to water her ‘garden‘.
I was surprised to find that the big Cattleya (“Corsage Orchid”) was in full bloom! There were four blossoms, big. purple throated pristine white showy blooms. When Mama came in with mail, I asked her when it started blooming (Orchids bloom one flower after another), and she said that she didn’t know, it had never bloomed before.
I turned the plant as I watered it, and was surprised to find that one of the blooms was double! (Twin bloom?) One for each of us children, I thought. We sat and admired it while mama quickly sorted thru the mail ,but her heart was with Daddy. We even talked about taking it down for Daddy to see, but decided against it because of it‘s size. We enjoyed it for a few more minutes as we did necessary things, then left to return to the hospital. I think I mentioned it to my four siblings after our father passed away a few months later, but I had not taken a picture of it.

The day after Mama's funeral, when we had returned to our home I was talking to Lynn on the phone. I pulled open the blind in the bedroom and looked out at the snowy landscape. Nothing very comforting, just winter coming too soon. Oak leaves still drifted down. Even the poor wheelbarrow was not yet put in the garage. I walked away and sat on the bed. I stared out as I visited. Then I saw something yellow against the bleak picture. By now Jim was on the other phone and I told them I thought the Forsythia was blooming. Lynn told Jim to see what I was sipping!

Well, I put on my sweater and went outside. This poor, ratty little bush usually gets trimmed back each summer, and each summer it sends two or three shoots clear up over the porch rails, and we just leave it until it blooms in the spring. There were four blooms. I stared at it, and I remembered the Orchid. I walked closer, and scanned each branch. Come on, I whispered to it, where is number five? No doubles, but just as I was giving up, I found a big plump yellow bud on a smaller branch. Five!

This time, I just went back inside, and I picked up my camera, so now you know I am not dreaming.

Flowers from Angels? You decide.

Grandma/Aunt/Great Aunt Sharon

P.S. Did YOU look in your garden???

Look for the little yellow flowers!

Three?

One more

The Proof

The last little Bud

The End of the Day

The day just didn't seem to end for me after the funeral, in fact, I just wanted to stay in the church and listen to the great memories that all of you had. I knew it had to end.

The cemetery service was just immediate family-all 50 of us I think, but somehow comforting. After, our young people were invited to stay awhile and see their Ancester's monuments, and this they did, and ended up taking some pictures. We are glad they came. A cemetery should be a friendly, familiar place, not some fictional, scary spot.

On the way home, I asked Jim to swing by the Cemetery one more time. It felt warmer there than earlier, and peaceful. The workman were gone. Of course the flowers were not right, and I fidgeted with them for the last time. I picked up 3 roses which had been dropped, and the petals came off in my hand, so I sprinkled them around the site, re-set the wreath for the third time, and then took some pictures.

Since the pictures were a comfort to my brothers and sisters, I will post one for all of you.
I think now its the end of the day.

Good night, all

Sharon

73 days

We said goodbye to our Mother on August 30th 2008.
“You’ve had a massive heart attack,” the doctor told her. She wasn’t expected to make it through the night. But by morning she asked for a bowl of oatmeal and we celebrated.
Then on November 11th we again said our goodbyes to her. But this time, as the clock literally struck midnight, she left us to be with the Lord.
After her funeral on November 15th we had a meal and celebrated our Mother’s life before she was laid to rest next to our Dad.
During the 73 days in between our goodbyes, Mom had some great days, some good days, and a few bad days.
But every one of those days was a very special gift to us.

Our Mom on Mother's Day 2008

It's hard not to post a note or two and tell you how Mama is doing, so today I thought I would share a favorite picture. We met for Mother's day and had dinner in Gladwin this year. We had a nice time. It's great to have nice times to remember.
I will see most of you tomorrow.

Hug your Mother if she is near

Sharon

Nellie Grey 1923-2008

Nellie D. Grey, age 85, of Gladwin, MI, passed away on Wednesday, November 12, 2008 at Mid Michigan Medical Center – Midland Campus. She was born on January 8, 1923 in Gladwin Township the daughter of Stanley and Gertrude (Hetherington) Breault.

Nellie was a member of the Cornerstone Baptist Church, active in volunteering at the Sacred Heart Mission. She enjoyed hunting, mushrooming and was a family oriented person. Many people were supported by her prayers.

She was preceded in death by her parents and husband Perry Grey.

She is survived by her children Sharon and James Martin of Manistee, MI; Marlene Lawrence of Battle Creek, MI; Susan and Donald Wade of Clare, MI; Greig Grey of Midland, MI and Creig and Connie Grey of Mt. Pleasant, MI. Nellie is also survived by 12 grandchildren; 27 great grandchildren and 5 great great grandchildren plus spouses which total 65 .

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, November 15, 2008 at 11:00 A.M. at the Cornerstone Baptist Church with Pastor Tony Alexander officiating. Visitation will be held on Friday, November 14, 2008 from 3-8 P.M. at the Sisson Funeral Home. Family visitation is from 1-3 P.M. Interment will be in Sherman Township Cemetery.

Directions to the funeral home can be obtained at the website of; http://www.sissonfuneralhome.com

Directions to the church is from the intersection of M-18 and M-61 in downtown Gladwin go north on M-18 6.8 miles- just after M-18 turns left, then turn right onto F-97 or Round Lake Rd. The church is 8/10 of a mile on the left- Gladwin Cornerstone Baptist 3925 Round Lake Rd, Gladwin, MI 48624 .

Sunday Meeting and Treatment Plan

Marlene, Greig, Susan, Don, Connie and I met with Dr. Jones first then together with Dr. Yaddim. Much was discussed and a treatment plan outlined for the near term.

• Mom has to eat properly and has not been. Jones has asked for the nurses to assist her. They have been under the impression that she needs the exercise- so she is not getting proper nutrition.
• The drain in her right lung either needs repositioned or a new one placed. That is responsible for her fluid build-up on her lung and causing respiratory distress.
• They are starting an IV that will provide protein and "pull" fluid buildup from her cells- lungs and other areas like her swollen left arm. I think the plan is to put in a PIC line tomorrow.

Once these show some results then she will have to get moving in rehab. Right now she does not have enough strength to eat properly. Over the past few weeks Mom has had some peaks and some valleys in this whole ordeal- but overall she has had a decline in her overall status.

My impression is that Mom remains in good spirits but is getting very tired. This has been a long process and it is taking it's toll.

Creig

Friday Night Report

Well, as you can see by the creative-less tone of my title, the report tonight is that of continuing difficult days for Mama in the hospital. There are bright spots such as her breathing is better, and the fluids seem to be leaving, but now she must fight once more to regain strength thru the hard work of Physical Therupy. Marlene is with her this weekend, Don and Susan are home sleeping tonight after spending most of 2 days at the hospital, and I am sure Creig and Connie will visit this weekend also. We will be going down during the week when working age people have to work.

Greig has been our eyes and ears for the past weeks when we cannot be with Mama, he tries to catch the doctors so he can keep up with the reports and pass them on to the rest of us. He is also very observent, and is quick to notice changes which might need to be addressed. Thanks, Greig. Don has also filled in with chores like getting Mama to the doctor visits, in and out of Stratford and the hospital,and notifying us of 'situations'. Thanks Don.

And thank you again to all of you who continue to support our mom and us as we travel thru this difficult time. We ask for your continued prayers for her healing and peace.

Good night everyone

Sharon

Thursday night Report

Just a note to tell everyone that Mama is eating and resting in the hospital, and starting another round of testing. They are checking her lungs and have brought in a lung specialist-the one she had at surgery-and he sent her for more tests, and has ruled out a blood clot in her lungs, but she has some fluid in one, and is coughing. He also ordered CT scans on her arms and legs-I hope I have that right, Susan said she was down getting them when we were talking.

She has had a MRI and I am sure lots of bloodwork. Susan said she ate a good dinner and was very tired of lying in bed so they got her up in a lazy boy type chair. I will talk to her or to Susan tomorrow and keep you posted.

Thank you for your continued prayers

Sharon

Back in Room D321

Well, today Greig and I took Mom to Dr. Jones' office. She was having a hard time breathing during and after her PT this morning. At the office Dr. Jones' PA read mom's xray and listened to her lungs. She felt that her lungs had fluid in them and decided to hospitalize her again for a CT scan and blood work, which will tell how much fluid is in her system.

Before I left she was back on oxygen and already beginning to feel better. I hope this is just another bump in the road to recovery.

Don

Vincent's Birthday Surprise!

The Roaches said...

Well, WHAT A SURPRISE THAT WAS!!! I was very confused when the group of kids at my house (my kids & their cousins) opened the door and I heard someone ask, "Is your Grandma here?!?" Lo and behold, it was Uncle Creig and he had brought Great Grandma Grey to surprise all of us!! I cannot put into words what an awesome surprise it was.

Grandma and Uncle Creig joined in the festivities -- with 10 little kiddies running around ... ate a little (Grandma seemed to like the pasta & chicken parmesan and had quite an appetite) and enjoyed a cupcake. Grandma even got a tattoo, from her little tattoo artist Jacqueline (giggle!).

It was such an incredible surprise and meant so much to have her join us for Vincent's 1st birthday. She's been wonderfully faithful with celebrating the important moments in my children's lives -- we have been truly blessed to have an excellent example in her! Thank you, Grandma!!



Love, Shannon and Vincent
(Jamie & Jacqueline too).

November 1, 2008 8:10 PM

Latest Conspiracy!

Well, I got a call saying my mother was being kidnapped!It was from Creig, and he and Mama had decided to surprise everyone at Vincent's first Birthday party,and SHOW UP! I wish I could have been there for the surprise!

Who wants to bet there will be pictures by morning.

I have not heard a peep, so all must be going well. This will be quite a trip for her but maybe stretching a bit beyond your comfort zone will be good for Mama. I know it is for me!

What a nice thing to have your Great Great Grandma at your party! Happy Birthday, Vincent!!

Waiting for Pix-

Aunt Sharon

Conspiracy Theorizing

I like big words! Greig and I have been taking turns checking in with Mama both in person for him, and on the phone for me,and keeping us kids informed of Mama's breathing problem. She is still a little short winded. Her nurse is alerted, an xray done, Dr. Jones was called and trippled her Lasix. We are not sure if Dr. has seen her xray yet.

This afternoon when Greig visited, she was at the Halloween party in the Cafeteria area and was doing quite well! He came back after supper, and they visited while she settled down for the night, and she is not in any distress, just breathing, as she put it,"a little ragged".

We are hoping and praying that this is not the beginning of another round of fluid again, and we hope the worst is over. Maybe the Lasix is the answer.

Marlene will be visiting this weekend,, which lends expertise to our 'theorizing. Susan add's her own sensibleness to our conferences, and the bottom line, Mama just keeps bravely pushing forward! Creig, jump in and give us a hug which we probibly need!

We ask all of you to continue to pray for her. Prayer is so important!

I will try agin to sleep now.

Sharon