Last night the world lost a very special lady. At least my world did. Or I should say our world...but let me start at the beginning.
Jude Hubbell and her husband Roger met Al over 50 years ago and they have all been good friends since. I entered the picture over 30 years ago and I must say I was a nervous wreck to meet her. I had been warned by Al that Jude could be "difficult" and if she didn't like you, she didn't like you..period! I must have been okay, or a keeper as they say these days, because Jude and I hit it off right away. I will admit there were times I wanted to throttle her; argue with her (which wasn't possible I learned), or just stand up to her. She was one stubborn gal. And I loved her. She had the biggest heart of gold I have ever seen. Very opinionated---very. Some times it was her way .. only. Yet our friendship grew and deepened.
Roger and Jude moved from Seattle to Tucson in 2000. We hadn't really given Tucson, or any place a thought to retire since we were still in our RV travel mode. However, we wound up buying a house about 3 miles from them. It is always so comforting to know they were just "up the road" from us.
In the last few months Jude's health has taken a sharp decline. She has been in and out of the hospital several times. Two weeks ago she came home under Hospice. Her children, siblings and several friends have made their way to Tucson to see her and say their goodbyes. Those who couldn't make it have called. She was well loved.
Last night Jude gave up her fight and died peacefully. I thought I was prepared for this. Wrong....I wasn't. No matter how prepared you think you are, you aren't. With heavy heart, I pray for eternal life for her. We who are left behind are sad, because she is no longer here; however, we are also happy celebrating her wonderful life and the impact she had on others.
Our world is a little more empty today, a little more sad, and once again, our lives have changed. We will go on, remembering the good times with Jude and our memories we have.
Rest in Peace our wonderful friend, Jude. We love and miss you.
Friday, January 27, 2012
Thursday, January 19, 2012
It's a New Year...
Six days into 2012, so far so good. I peeked out from under my covers on Jan 1 just to make sure 2011 was gone for good. BAD year!
Al is feeling okay. He is weak, can't walk very far, but at this point in time I will take anything he can do as a plus. His appetite is very small, which for him is very unusual. He usually eats good at breakfast, but by dinner he really doesn't want anything to do with it. But then again, that can vary day by day. Hospice is wonderful...so caring, and not just for him, but for me as well. For the first time I feel like I really have help anytime I need it. Al took a fall one day last week that necessitated a call to my friends at the fire dept. Also called Hospice and my wonderful neighbor barb.
Jan 19
Apparently, I got side tracked and never got back to the blog I started earlier this month. Oh well, story of my life lately. I start something, get distracted, and sometimes never get back to what I started.
It has been a busy month. Our good friend Jude is very ill and as a result we have had some company. Good friends Frank and Garrett came from Seattle to see Jude...however, Jude's house was full, so they stayed with us. We had a great visit with them and Al really enjoyed it.
Last weekend son Mike and granddaughter Sarah were here from St. Louis. They only stayed for 2 nights, but we really were happy to see them. It does Al good when company comes. Now, we are waiting for granddaughter Cammie to arrive. Actually, she was suppose to come in from Seattle yesterday, but due to the snow flights and life was cancelled in Seattle. She is now due in tomorrow...but from the sounds of the news Seattle may still be frozen tomorrow. We are anxiously waiting to see her.
Nieces Sherrie and Denice from Seattle and Ephrata respectively are scheduled in at the end of the month. And yes, I have been busy washing sheets and towels. As long as I don't have to fold said sheets I am fine. I HATE FOLDING SHEETS! Always have, always will! Especially the fitted sheet, which usually winds up wadded up! And don't try to tell me to fit one corner into the other, etc. Doesn't work for me.
Weather here has been absolutely wonderful, except when we have company! Then the weather usually tries to be cold, windy, rainy. This week has been so pretty and the forecast runs 68, 70, 69, 71, etc. NICE
Al is about the same. I can see him slide downhill more everyday. His appetite is good some days and not so good others. He sleeps a lot and is always tired. At least he is home and comfortable. Hospice is wonderful. I also hired the caregiver we had from my brother to come in once a week and sit with Al while I get away for a few hours. And Hospice provides a volunteer 2 hours a week to sit with him as well, so I do get a break. And Barb also gives me a break on the weekend. Don't know how I would do this without her. She is definitely my rock.
So that is all that is happening around here for the time being. Hope this finds you all doing well and living life the way you want.
Al is feeling okay. He is weak, can't walk very far, but at this point in time I will take anything he can do as a plus. His appetite is very small, which for him is very unusual. He usually eats good at breakfast, but by dinner he really doesn't want anything to do with it. But then again, that can vary day by day. Hospice is wonderful...so caring, and not just for him, but for me as well. For the first time I feel like I really have help anytime I need it. Al took a fall one day last week that necessitated a call to my friends at the fire dept. Also called Hospice and my wonderful neighbor barb.
Jan 19
Apparently, I got side tracked and never got back to the blog I started earlier this month. Oh well, story of my life lately. I start something, get distracted, and sometimes never get back to what I started.
It has been a busy month. Our good friend Jude is very ill and as a result we have had some company. Good friends Frank and Garrett came from Seattle to see Jude...however, Jude's house was full, so they stayed with us. We had a great visit with them and Al really enjoyed it.
Last weekend son Mike and granddaughter Sarah were here from St. Louis. They only stayed for 2 nights, but we really were happy to see them. It does Al good when company comes. Now, we are waiting for granddaughter Cammie to arrive. Actually, she was suppose to come in from Seattle yesterday, but due to the snow flights and life was cancelled in Seattle. She is now due in tomorrow...but from the sounds of the news Seattle may still be frozen tomorrow. We are anxiously waiting to see her.
Nieces Sherrie and Denice from Seattle and Ephrata respectively are scheduled in at the end of the month. And yes, I have been busy washing sheets and towels. As long as I don't have to fold said sheets I am fine. I HATE FOLDING SHEETS! Always have, always will! Especially the fitted sheet, which usually winds up wadded up! And don't try to tell me to fit one corner into the other, etc. Doesn't work for me.
Weather here has been absolutely wonderful, except when we have company! Then the weather usually tries to be cold, windy, rainy. This week has been so pretty and the forecast runs 68, 70, 69, 71, etc. NICE
Al is about the same. I can see him slide downhill more everyday. His appetite is good some days and not so good others. He sleeps a lot and is always tired. At least he is home and comfortable. Hospice is wonderful. I also hired the caregiver we had from my brother to come in once a week and sit with Al while I get away for a few hours. And Hospice provides a volunteer 2 hours a week to sit with him as well, so I do get a break. And Barb also gives me a break on the weekend. Don't know how I would do this without her. She is definitely my rock.
So that is all that is happening around here for the time being. Hope this finds you all doing well and living life the way you want.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)