In Memory of Em

The earthly journey of my friend Em ended last Saturday after a long struggle with cancer. We had many special moments during her final weeks as we talked about her faith, heaven, her family, and memories. I'll treasure those times with her and will forever be thankful for the tender and loving care she was given by her children and the wonderful caregivers at the Hospice facility.

In her honor, the following is just a small part of what I shared at her funeral service today:

"There is an imprint of a leaf on the sidewalk leading into the Hospice Facility where Em spent her last weeks. I took a picture of the imprint and showed it to Em, telling her it was symbolic of the imprint she made on my life. I told her all the things I admired about her. She listened quietly and humbly. Her response was, "Oh, such an ordinary life." But there was nothing 'ordinary' about Em. She was kind, gentle, courageous, caring, generous, thoughtful, sincere, patient, soft-spoken, content, honest, humble, genuine, compassionate, Christian. Those are not ordinary traits. They are character traits that some of us have to work really hard to develop; but they came naturally to Em. She shared the joys, concerns, and sorrows of her family and her friends. Her focus was never on herself - always others. Her daughter Nancy described her as "sweet", and that sort of sums up Em's nature. She was, in all sincerity, one of the most wonderful people I know - and I know many wonderful people."

The adjectives that describe Em make quite a list! But she was all those things wrapped up in one beautiful person. Not many of us will have all those qualities mentioned at our own funerals. Those I spoke to after the funeral said the words described her perfectly and even added words like 'precious', 'dear', and 'treasure'. She was truly special!

This picture of Em was taken in September
at one of our last lunches together.
I will miss her!

In the midst of the sadness, we enjoyed a wonderful Christmas week with our family. We shared special gifts, lots of great conversation, and much laughter. The most precious moment of all was Tori's prayer at dinner. Beautiful beyond words!

Laura and Ben are now safely back in Seattle after spending a week with us and the Lappenga's in Holland. They will soon be moving to Pasadena for three months while Ben studies at Fuller Seminary for the winter term. We smile at their adventurous natures :)

May God bless each of you with joy and marvelous surprises in 2008!

Friends, Family, Adoption

Time for an update......(sorry this is so messed up on Safari; I publish through Firefox and somehow it gets all messed up on the other browsers :( .

First, I'm including a comment left on an earlier post for those of you who haven't seen it. It's a message from the daughter of my friend Em, thanking those of you who are remembering her mom in your prayers and those who have left messages for her on this blog.

Nancy, Emma's daughter said...

What a wonderful way this blog is to share thoughts & prayers with mom! She knows that many people are praying for her, but there is nothing like actually hearing from some of them and being reminded how many people love her and are thinking about her. All of those prayers (written or not) do come thru somehow and help to create that wonderful peacefulness and strength that we admire in her! Her peace also comes from her absolute faith in the goodness of God, that even in this difficult time, God's plans for her are all good! God bless you all, and please keep praying for her - it matters!
December 11, 2007 1:24 PM

Bill and I enjoyed a nice visit with Em on Wednesday evening; she was her usual pleasant, cheerful self. She had fallen over the weekend and had seven stitches in her forehead but she preferred to talk about the wonderful volunteer who had come and had given her her first-ever manicure :) She's looking forward to having her first-ever pedicure the next time the volunteer visits.

Last evening we brought some wine to share with Em (there's a story behind that), she was enjoying a time of music therapy so much that we left the wine in her refrigerator for another visit. If you can, please leave a comment for us to bring with us when we see her next time :)

This gingerbread house is in the front lobby of the Hospice Home - incredible detail on it. It's such a beautiful place and Em is very thankful for all that is offered her - both by staff and volunteers.


Last week we met Gary & Shirley and Curt & Jan for supper at Pete's here in Byron Center. Great friends - always fun!

Bill, Shirley, Gary, Jan, Curt

Last Thursday we had a good dose of 'triplet joy'. The kids helped set up the Christmas tree, made a paper chain, and hung ornaments.

Noah &
Anna

Tom

Sophie

made

her own
ornaments
out of
Playdoh :)

Noah helps
make the

paper chain

One of the
few craft-
related
things
I can make
is a paper
chain :)

Grandpa

with Sophie
and Abby

It was Tom's 34th birthday on December 4. He didn't get much of a celebration this year because both he and Bill were gone over his birthday. The kids helped make a special dessert for him which they were all excited about. The rest of the celebration will take place on the 23rd when we also celebrate Ben's birthday.
But this is a great opportunity to say how proud we are of Tom! He is a wonderful father, husband, son, and brother. We love to watch him with his kids - so affectionate, loving, and nurturing. He's an all-around great guy and we love him so much!

Noah's Birthday Wishes for his Daddy

Yesterday was the final court proceeding for Laiya's adoption in the courtroom of Judge Hillary. He made it a memorable and meaningful ceremony that was quite emotional at times. We were free to walk all around the courtroom, take pictures, and each of us had an opportunity to speak. What a joyful time it was!

Laiya, Marva, Dave

Laiya, Marva,
& Dave

The 'witnesses'

Laiya
'testifies'

with Judge
Hillary

Hugs from
sister Emily...

....and from
Aunt Denise

Grandpa and Grandma Z. arrived from Florida on Wednesday and were able to be with us for the ceremony. The bear Laiya is
holding was given to her by Judge Hillary.

On Thursday evening, Mom and Rich took us 'kids' all out for a great dinner (we miss you Ron and Rose!).

Mom &
Rich

Dave &
Marva

Denise

& John

Beckie
& Rick

It's been a week full of fun, laughter, and special moments.
We cherish our time with family and friends!

I regret not getting pictures of two other great times of the last week - the wonderful Christmas party Gary & Shirley hosted at their home on Saturday evening and the Christmas brunch here with my beloved friends from Joy Club on Wednesday. Had my camera with me both times.....bummer.

Thank You!

Pleasant words are like a honeycomb,
sweetness to the soul,
health to the bones.
Proverbs 16:24

Just wanted to say thanks to those of you who left messages for my friend Em. I read them to her tonight and they meant SO MUCH to her! Your kind words brought tears to her eyes; your prayers give her encouragement and peace. She was so blessed by your thoughtfulness!

Em is experiencing more pain and finding it difficult to sit up for long. Yet she is so welcoming and kind and her quiet sense of humor makes us both smile. She has great peace.

A warm word
can warm up
three winter months.
Chinese proverb

Additional comments and well-wishes for Em are always appreciated - they mean more to her than you will ever know!

Imprints

The leaf imprint is from the front sidewalk of the Hospice facility where my friend Em has been for the last two weeks. When I first spotted the imprint, I told Em about it and how it was symbolic of the imprint she has made on my life. In her humble, quiet way she wondered how such an 'ordinary life' could have made such an impact. But I told her all the things I admire about her - her sweet kindness and gentle spirit that is balanced with quiet strength, her joy and peace in the valley of suffering, and her rock-solid faith. She has taught me a lot!

We've had several opportunities in the last few weeks to talk about her faith and the precious promises of Jesus. We've looked at books full of beautiful pictures of God's creation and have marveled at His handiwork....and also talked about all the places we'll never see on this earth. (We both anticipate a new heaven and a new earth that will have spectacular places we can explore forever!) We've reminisced about all the wonderful meals we enjoyed when her husband John was alive - he always insisted we go 'dining', not just 'go out to eat'. We talked about our many trips to Russo's for their pasta and pizza bar, her flower garden, and her love for birds. It's an amazing and humbling privilege to walk with her as she nears the end of her life here on earth. I'll forever be grateful that she shares her journey with me.

Em gave me permission to ask for prayers on her behalf through this blog. If you will kindly leave a comment for her on this blog, I will print them out and bring them to her on my next visit.

Me and Em at Russo's in July

Tori went with me to visit Em on Saturday and had great fun getting to know one of Em's granddaughters, Eva. And I finally got a picture of the leaf imprint :)


The rest of the pictures are random shots taken during the last ten days......others who have made great imprints on my life.....

Sophie and Abby

Noah


Lynn and her daughter Melanie

I had tea with Bill's mom, sister Barb (on right) and her grandson Eden, Bill's cousin Tam and Aunt Helen. If Tam looks familiar, it's because she's a twin of Pam whose picture I posted a couple of weeks ago :)

Tori went with me to see SCHS's Alice in Wonderland on Saturday. We saw lots of her second-cousins at the play.....

Ty D., Isaac and Livia Be., Abby D., and Tori

Being so near Tori's favorite store, we just HAD to make a stop at Millbrook to check out their new Christmas displays of everything to do with horses.

Some of the Joy Club members stayed after Bible study to help with our church preparations for Advent. Bless their hearts, they never stop volunteering their time....



Helen and Jennie

Kaye and Lyda

Wednesday morning sunrise - one of the most spectacular ones I've ever seen. As usual, the picture doesn't do it justice.....

Because of the LORD's great love we are not consumed,
for His compassions never fail.
They are new every morning;
great is Your faithfulness!
Lamentations 3:22-23