For the six or seven of you out there who might be concerned about my lack of communication over the past 8-10 months, wondering if I’ve fallen down, keeled over, or otherwise ceased to function, rest easy. I’m OK and I’m still kicking that can down the road. Or, as my deceased friend Junior used to say, “I’m till sucking air.” Yes I am.

I don’t have any particular reason for being silent all this time other than the fact that Diane and I spent a great deal of time at her Mother’s home ensuring she was fed and safe. That was most of the last year. Just when we got used to that routine, Mom took a trip to the garage when we weren’t looking, she fell and broke her left hip. That was July 30th. She was transported to Good Sam where she was bolted back together Sunday morning, July 31st. We visited her Sunday afternoon and learned that the surgery went well and that they would begin physical therapy on Monday. That seemed too soon for me, but what do I know. Apparently that’s common procedure.

We went back on Monday afternoon and learned that PT didn’t go as well as desired. She was able to take 4 steps before her energy gave out and they had to put her back in bed. She quit eating that day creating a need to engage hospice to gently guide her home.

We wanted to take her home for her final days but the earliest their hospice team could transport her was August 7, almost a week away. They said they would continue to seek help from a private company to accomplish the transfer. Thankfully, that worked out and Mom was brought home on August 4th.

Diane and I both took up residence with Mom for 24/7 care for as long as necessary.

Over the next few days Mom demonstrated her resilience by actually falling out of bed once, and spinning herself crosswise in her bed numerous times. She was getting lots of exercise with these antics but her energy levels were minimal since she refused to eat.

At 7:30 pm, on August 7th, the day before her 95th birthday, she took her last breath on this mortal coil. We’re sure that she rushed into the arms of her loving husband, Mel, who predeceased her in 2002.

Her graveside service is scheduled for 11:00 am, August 19th at Bethany Memorial Cemetery in Warren, OR.