Guest guest Posted June 7, 2004 Report Share Posted June 7, 2004 Hi All- Well, I arrived back in Des Moines around 11:35 Sunday evening. Well, it is now 2:15 a.m. and I am still awake. I did get some sleep on the flight from NZ to L.A. - with the help of sleeping pills. I wanted to share with everyone my last moments with Jo. We were at 's brothers house with his wife, son, and daughter. Jo travelled with us there and was most pleasant. Well, Martyn and Lynette fixed us dinner and dessert. Then it was time to start my 'good-byes'. It was terrible. I started with the head of the family - Jo. She is such a sweet and gentle woman, so very caring and so easy to love. She was sitting on the couch so I bent over to hug her and give her a kiss on the cheek. She had been concerned that I wouldn't be back ( and I were outside together for a few minutes) to tell her goodbye. Well, as I knelt down she was apologising for sitting and thought she needed to stand up. I assured her that it would be fine and that I could hug her in her sitting position. I thanked her for opening up her home for me, for allowing me to help her with tasks, and for allowing me into her son's life. The tears were building. As my voice shook and tears started to run down my face 's brother mentioned how I was going to cry. I confirmed that and told him and everyone that I was not good with goodbyes and leaving. So, Martyn and I hugged, then I made my way to his kids. They, too, are so sweet. Very intelligent and talented. Then Lynette and I hugged and I found my way to who was patiently waiting to hold my hand and support me. Believe me when I say that this group doesn't do justice to the heart that beats in . He is so gentle and loving. He keeps the feelings of others before his own. I witnessed his caregiving to his mom...helping her up out of chairs, fixing her meals and even feeding her on numerous occasions. His gentleness and patience is beyond words. So, back to when I was leaving. By this time, Jo had had Martyn help her up so she could 'give me a proper goodbye'. She hugged me again, kissed me on my cheek, and thanked me for staying with them. She said she didn't know how they would get along with out me there and said they would manage somehow. Most importantly, she never realised that this was all MY honor to meet her and to spend time with her. Gentleness, manners, hospitality, and love run through 's family. They are individual in their own ways, yet there is a common thread - Jo, and how she showed her kids how to treat people in the most honorable way. As I said, I am now back home and my heart hurts. I am missing and Jo. Please keep them in your prayers as they make their way back to there home town, about a 5 hour drive. Thank you for listening and for reading on about my travels. Hugs, from Iowa - with New Zealand in my heart- Sandie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 7, 2004 Report Share Posted June 7, 2004 Welcome home Sandie! Kath Re: GROUP from Sandie > > Hi All- > > Well, I arrived back in Des Moines around 11:35 Sunday evening. Well, it is now 2:15 a.m. and I am still awake. I did get some sleep on the flight from NZ to L.A. - with the help of sleeping pills. > > I wanted to share with everyone my last moments with Jo. We were at 's brothers house with his wife, son, and daughter. Jo travelled with us there and was most pleasant. Well, Martyn and Lynette fixed us dinner and dessert. Then it was time to start my 'good-byes'. It was terrible. I started with the head of the family - Jo. She is such a sweet and gentle woman, so very caring and so easy to love. She was sitting on the couch so I bent over to hug her and give her a kiss on the cheek. She had been concerned that I wouldn't be back ( and I were outside together for a few minutes) to tell her goodbye. Well, as I knelt down she was apologising for sitting and thought she needed to stand up. I assured her that it would be fine and that I could hug her in her sitting position. I thanked her for opening up her home for me, for allowing me to help her with tasks, and for allowing me into her son's life. The tears were building. As my voice shook and tears started to run down my face 's brother mentioned how I was going to cry. I confirmed that and told him and everyone that I was not good with goodbyes and leaving. So, Martyn and I hugged, then I made my way to his kids. They, too, are so sweet. Very intelligent and talented. Then Lynette and I hugged and I found my way to who was patiently waiting to hold my hand and support me. Believe me when I say that this group doesn't do justice to the heart that beats in . He is so gentle and loving. He keeps the feelings of others before his own. I witnessed his caregiving to his mom...helping her up out of chairs, fixing her meals and even feeding her on numerous occasions. His gentleness and patience is beyond words. > > So, back to when I was leaving. By this time, Jo had had Martyn help her up so she could 'give me a proper goodbye'. She hugged me again, kissed me on my cheek, and thanked me for staying with them. She said she didn't know how they would get along with out me there and said they would manage somehow. Most importantly, she never realised that this was all MY honor to meet her and to spend time with her. Gentleness, manners, hospitality, and love run through 's family. They are individual in their own ways, yet there is a common thread - Jo, and how she showed her kids how to treat people in the most honorable way. > > As I said, I am now back home and my heart hurts. I am missing and Jo. Please keep them in your prayers as they make their way back to there home town, about a 5 hour drive. > > Thank you for listening and for reading on about my travels. > > Hugs, from Iowa - with New Zealand in my heart- > > Sandie > > > > Welcome to LBDcaregivers. > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 7, 2004 Report Share Posted June 7, 2004 Sandie: I'm grateful you made it back safely and that you were able to fit so well with 's family. Even your manner of writing about them is testament to how much these people have come to mean to you. You were all blessed to have this time together. I'm preparing exams and trying to get some last minute " stuff " done but I had to check in and see how you were. Please feel this huge hug I am sending your way. All good things my friend, Abby Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 7, 2004 Report Share Posted June 7, 2004 Sandie, I'm glad you had a wonderful time in NZ with and his family and that you are back home safe. Will pray for their safe return home too. Courage Re: GROUP from Sandie > >Hi All- > >Well, I arrived back in Des Moines around 11:35 Sunday evening. Well, it is now 2:15 a.m. and I am still awake. I did get some sleep on the flight from NZ to L.A. - with the help of sleeping pills. > >I wanted to share with everyone my last moments with Jo. We were at 's brothers house with his wife, son, and daughter. Jo travelled with us there and was most pleasant. Well, Martyn and Lynette fixed us dinner and dessert. Then it was time to start my 'good-byes'. It was terrible. I started with the head of the family - Jo. She is such a sweet and gentle woman, so very caring and so easy to love. She was sitting on the couch so I bent over to hug her and give her a kiss on the cheek. She had been concerned that I wouldn't be back ( and I were outside together for a few minutes) to tell her goodbye. Well, as I knelt down she was apologising for sitting and thought she needed to stand up. I assured her that it would be fine and that I could hug her in her sitting position. I thanked her for opening up her home for me, for allowing me to help her with tasks, and for allowing me into her son's life. The tears were building. As my voice shook and tears started to run down my face 's brother mentioned how I was going to cry. I confirmed that and told him and everyone that I was not good with goodbyes and leaving. So, Martyn and I hugged, then I made my way to his kids. They, too, are so sweet. Very intelligent and talented. Then Lynette and I hugged and I found my way to who was patiently waiting to hold my hand and support me. Believe me when I say that this group doesn't do justice to the heart that beats in . He is so gentle and loving. He keeps the feelings of others before his own. I witnessed his caregiving to his mom...helping her up out of chairs, fixing her meals and even feeding her on numerous occasions. His gentleness and patience is beyond words. > >So, back to when I was leaving. By this time, Jo had had Martyn help her up so she could 'give me a proper goodbye'. She hugged me again, kissed me on my cheek, and thanked me for staying with them. She said she didn't know how they would get along with out me there and said they would manage somehow. Most importantly, she never realised that this was all MY honor to meet her and to spend time with her. Gentleness, manners, hospitality, and love run through 's family. They are individual in their own ways, yet there is a common thread - Jo, and how she showed her kids how to treat people in the most honorable way. > >As I said, I am now back home and my heart hurts. I am missing and Jo. Please keep them in your prayers as they make their way back to there home town, about a 5 hour drive. > >Thank you for listening and for reading on about my travels. > >Hugs, from Iowa - with New Zealand in my heart- > >Sandie > > > >Welcome to LBDcaregivers. > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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