Hello again....

I know it has been a long while since updating this, I really figured since she was doing so well that I would close it.

But, like I said her heart is her family so I think I will start updating again about her and her 'heart'.

Moms cousin Barbara Clark passed on Saturday and she and mom were very close. The funeral is today and her and Johnny are going to sing - that is the plan as of now. I can tell she is very sad about it, but Barbara wasn't in the best of health either so God had a plan.

The holidays are here, moms house is still not ready so I am having the dinner here. Like my house is ready? haha. But help is on the way, Lisa is coming to help me this week and as much as I hate asking for help - I really need it. Scott and I have worked hard to get it really decorated to hopefully put a smile on moms face. BRAD really has worked the hardest. That kid is my angel here on earth. I better stop there or I will get all sappy, but I can't...he has came almost daily to check on me and to do little and sometimes big things. He was always moms heart as well, he lived with them at times and he is just amazing. Out of any child or grandchild he is the first that will be there for mom and dad, that is just how he is. People say he is slow or not bright, but God knew what he was doing. Brad might not be book smart, but he is heart smart, and loves with all he has. I wish he was mine, and Scott tells me he is in so many ways. Scott adores him as well - how could you help it!?!

I know mom is preparing Christmas cards to mail out....so if she has an address please expect one.

I will post holiday pictures on the picture page, dinner will hopefully be a success and lots of smiles to remember. I am making ornaments for all that attend and next year we are all doing an ornament exchange thing. Next year will be at moms, and Lord willing it will be wonderful.

Thank you for all the prayers and for always making my sweet mamma smile!

Last post!

Mom is doing so much better, today she went home. I was so sad to see her go, but will enjoy some quiet time at home with Scott. Also, I know she will love being home too. I went out there twice today and her and dad were curled up in their bedroom. The upstairs looks better, I hope mom is happy up there.

I decided to just lock this blog...she is doing great and I don't know how much I will be able to post here and my own personal blog. You all have my email and if something ever happens, I will open this back up so we can keep everyone updated.

Thank you all for your prayers and all that have came and done for her and me. Now that her heart is mending, I hope the heart of her family will mend as well...one can hope and pray right?

God bless you all, we will keep in touch! Looking forward to the July get together, you all should be getting invites over the next couple days...mailed them and hand delivered some.

All my love,

Hope

P.S. I will be keeping the picture site, and updating that as often as I can!

Photos..

I have added some more photos to the Pictures site...

Update!

Mom is doing great! She is using her oxygen very little and is up doing more and more every day. She cooked her first meal yesterday...of course - pinto beans, fried taters and onions and some friend cornbread! Nothing too big, but boy oh boy was it delish. I haven't been able to cook or anything for the last few days so I am sure she was tired of take out and left overs.

I think they will also be going home at some point this week, :( SUPER SAD FACE! I will miss them so much. I know we will see each other still, but I loved having them down the hall. *SIGH* I do know she will be happier in her own place, just gonna miss them like mad.

Gladys is home too by the way, doing better last time I talked to her.

July 7th is coming soon, started handing out the invites and as soon as I get some 2 cent stamps will put the rest in the mail.

Love you all!!

Hope

P.S. Mom got a surprise visit from Parker, Korey and Little John last night...was so great to see them all, I have missed them so much. You know how Little John is every one's lil sweetie! Korey has grown so much so had Parker. I hope to get them both for a few days soon...will be fun!

Well, another heart to pray for..

Gladys went into the hospital at 2 am on Thursday night. She had been having pain for 3 days and when she go there they had to do an emergency appendectomy. Her appendix had ruptured. After further testing, they found she had had a light heart attack. She is in ICU, but when I saw her today she was looking great and said she was feeling ok. Ed was so worried, Allan and Timmy were there too. It was nice to get to spend time with them, though unfortunate circumstances. So please pray for Aunt Gladys and Uncle Ed.

Mom is doing good still, she has a bug but is getting over it.

Good Night....

Love,
Hope

Doctor Visit today

Mom went to see Dr. Hennington to follow up from her recent hospital visit. She does have a sore throat, but he feels that he shouldn't give her more antibiotics at this time. She has had so many lately. He said everything is looking great, her blood came back fine as well. He said she should start doing more a little at a time. Ohh and he has turned her back over to Dr. Hearon...which is good news. Dr. Hennington said she has been a great patient and he appreciated all I had done for her and that made me feel good :)

She is anxious to get home I am sure, I think by Saturday they will be making that move. I am so sad they are leaving, but understand. I try not to let her do things here such as cleaning and such...and those every day things she needs to be doing. I just can't let her clean and cook for me ... I just want to do everything for her you know?

Tommy has been doing a little to get the upstairs ready for her. I hope that Daddy can get everything done so she doesn't have to be downstairs on that cement floor.

But, I knew she would get better and would sooooon be going home. I just love taking care of her. sniffles...I will miss her so much! Her and daddy....:(

Keep on prayin'

Mom is still doing better, but today she was determined to get up and do things around the house. I tried to keep her from it, but she was determined. I already had Cara coming to do some things for me, and of course to see Illan :). But, Mom wouldn't give in. She washed dishes and got sick and threw up. It was the first thing she has really done and I think she over did it. She feels like if she doesn't start doing things, she won't be able to go home and do for herself.

I am conflicted, I don't really want her to go home...though I know that is where she needs to be. I would rather her not do much here, but how is she going to know what she can do at this point if she doesn't start. I did get some pintos, and she loves to cook them so in the morning we will get up and do that together, and make some cornbread I think.

My back is so out, went to the grocery store...first time I had been up since I had this virus and my back really told me about it. I was in tears walking down the aisle, to the point I almost called Randall and Cara to come finish for me. I spied one of those wheelchair buggies...came close to giving in...but, instead I left without a few things and had them put the groceries up.

I am not telling mom about my back, she worries about me and thinks I am doing too much. She thinks she should go home so I don't have to worry with her, but, I will be going there every day...so either way.

Just keep praying for her. (((HUGS)))

Sunshine

Misti and Lily made mom a gift...and Misti says she isn't crafty :)

Mom loves it!

And yes, she is looking so much better. I just can't believe that the oxygen has made her feel so much better. Though, she is on antibiotics too. We had delivered to us all a watermelon last night...soooooooooo good. Todd and Lisa brought us lunch as well earlier in the day...homemade turkey pot pie...made with a little of Leon's love as well! They surprised us with a watermelon as well late last night...yum yum yum!

Mom is really looking forward to July 7th at Lori and Mike's house. I am going to invite the Watts as well...those sisters are so sweet.

I need to work on getting the Pons clan together again, had plans in the works then Mom got sick and they had to be delayed...but soon!

Mom says hello and God bless you all for the prayers, she wouldn't have made the progress she has if it hadn't been for the prayers and God.

I hope everyone has a blessed week!

Hope

She looks so good!

Just wanted to throw a post up to say that Grandmaw looks really good! :)

Praise God!

Misti

Email from Todd

I woke up late this morning...just got on here about 15 minutes ago and checked my mail....and this was what was there:

Hope
I Just want to thank you and Scott for everything you do for mom and dad.You've always been there for them and put their needs before your own.and i will never forget it.Every night she spent in the Hospital it was you who stayed with her.Shes in the best place she could be right now and i thank you from the bottom of my heart.
P.S. I hope the taller toilet we put in worked better for mom.
I Love You
Brother Todd

I have been weary spiritually and physically and I can't even tell you how much this email has lightened my heart and soul. I know Todd is not perfect, Lord knows none of us are. But this letter touched my heart so deep. The good Lord knew I needed something, something to lift my spirits...so He sent me a letter. I love my family so much....all of them! I haven't done enough for mom and dad, there is no way I could repay the kindness and love they have shown me throughout my life. We all have opportunities to repay kindness and some times we take them and some times we don't. We put our jobs, money, possessions and all kinds of things on top of the list then followed by family and friends and kindness to them. I wish I could do more for them, for all of my family.

Mom is feeling better every day. I thought this set back would keep here even longer, but we are all working to get her home soon. Dad and Tommy and Todd are working hard to get the upstairs finished...if they had more help, I guess she would get home quicker. I know she will love to have her own space and her own everything. I know she thinks she is inconveniencing Scott and I, and she is really wanting to go home just because she wants Scott and I to have some privacy. Well, when she does go home, Scott is going to drop me off there every morning then pick me up every evening so I can clean and cook for her. At least for a while. I just don't feel good about leaving her all alone. I know she will have some help, Todd and Lisa just live up the hill...but they have a family to take care of and need to be there for that baby as well.

Thanks Misti for your calls as well, hopefully we will get to do lunch soon.

Ohhh and Mom does love the higher commode, she doesn't have to hurt herself to get up.

I am feeling much better today as well, fever broke and the congestion is easing a bit...I think we both got something at church on Sunday.

Update...

Mom is feeling better today, still really weak but the doctor said she took a couple steps back but will soon be on her way now that she will be breathing better. She feels much better compared to Wednesday. She is starting back on her inhalers as soon as we get a script for the face mask thing, she has such trouble using them. Her oxygen is helping so much, her color and sleep has improved more than I thought it would. I know she will be on it for at least 2 weeks....but maybe longer.

I am sick so I haven't been around her today, don't want to give her anything. I am wearing a mask if I leave my room. Though, they put her on a broad spectrum antibiotic so I don't think she will be getting anything from me. BUT, I would rather be safe than sorry.

Please still lift her up in prayers....add me to your list too please :). Not only for my health but have some other things that are going on I would rather not mention...but do request your prayers.

Oh and Misti...sorry, I didn't know about free root beer floats! I would have liked one too. But, Todd brought her a mocha thing from Arbys that she loveeeeed...I had the orange swirl thing. Mom mentioned the floats later, but it was probably too late to get anything. Thanks for calling though, sorry she couldn't go out with you tonight...Johnny called and said she shouldn't come anyway because of the heat. I had planned to go, but plans change. I hope it was great...would love some details! Love you...

Hope

Root Beer Float?

I'm hoping Grandmaw got her a root beer float from Sonic. They had them for free tonight. I planned on getting one for her and one for me without the float, but I had to go out of town. Did she get one? :D

Whew

Just got home, patiently waiting for this home health person to come and bring mom oxygen.

Last night when we got to the ER her oxygen level was 84-86 and it is supposed to be over 90. They immediately put her her on oxygen and she just as immediately started feeling better, actually she dozed off and slept most of the time she was in there.

All of her labs came back fine, her chest xray was ok...a couple small effusions (fluid) but nothing too big. The doctor came in and said Dr. Hennington is on the phone for you...how many doctors call and talk to the patient in the ER. She was very short of breath with conversation and since her oxygen level was really low he was going to keep her over night and start her on an antibiotic. This morning at about 5:30 he came in and changed her pain meds and put her on oxygen at home and will see her next week.

He explained her chest pain is not from her heart, that it is going to hurt to take deep breaths but she is going to have to do it and since it hurts, she doesn't breath deep and therefore it decreases her oxygen levels. Her shoulders and back have hurt since before the surgery, she has arthritis she says. The chest pain she is having is nothing like the pain she had before, she thinks it is her breast bone and ribs...which is to be expected. So if we get her breathing better she will keep her lungs expanded and that will not only help her breathing and reduce her chances of pneumonia...it will also condition her ribs and bones to be where they should be. While she was out Sunday she used her lungs and that is why she is so sore. He said she needs that though. So hopefully by next week she will be up to some outings and we can take it a little slower than one entire day of church, food, fun, visiting and such.

She is resting and feeling a little better, I fixed her a big tomato sammich and she loved it. She is addicted to beer....root beer that is :) Oh and Sonic Ice....thanks Brad for keeping us stocked!

Well, I can't think of anything else....might be because I haven't slept since yesterday morning. While at the hospital last night I barely got 20 winks.

Hope

Update...

I had typed another update, but as soon as I had finished almost she had gotten worse. Her shortness of breath is much worse, and she had told me she really wasn't having chest pain but now....she is. I hope it is nothing, but to be on the safe side we are heading to the ER and will let you all know as soon as we know anything.

Love you all...

Hope

Please pray!

Grandmaw is not feeling well. She's been having chest discomfort/overall fatigue since Sunday night. Please pray for her health!! She asked me to pray, so I'm asking any readers of her blog to pray, too!!!! Also, please pray that God will give her guidance on seeking medical intervention.

Thank you.

Misti

July 7th is getting close!

this is the invite I am getting ready to print up...gotta check on a few details but should be going out soon!

Lori and Mike are hosting our next Clark get together!
It should be lots of fun, food, music, laughter, pictures…well, you get the idea!

Mike and Lori are providing the pig, the rest is up to everyone else.
Drinks, side dishes and desserts will make this meal complete.
Having you and your family there will make the day complete.

No two people - no mere father and mother - as I have often said, are enough to provide emotional security for a child. He needs to feel himself one in a world of kinfolk, persons of variety in age and temperament, and yet allied to himself by an indissoluble bond which he cannot break if he could, for nature has welded him into it before he was born.

I was reminded today that things…things are not the most important, people are – family and friends. We have so much to learn from each other…so much history and future to share. We are a great family, so much love and so much laughter. We can’t take back yesterday but we can plan for tomorrow. What better way to spend a Saturday than rekindling family ties, laughing at a memory or making new ones. I know every person can’t come to every function, but let’s try to start making our extended families a priority.

We are going to try to plan these things every 3 months or so. If you want to host one at your house or have an idea…we can work out the details at Lori’s.
WHAT: Pig Pickin’
WHEN: July 7th, 2007 starting at 2 going until the pig is gone
WHERE: Lori and Mike’s house in Marion
WHY: Because We are FAM-I-LY…sing it

Call Hope at (828) 334-6990 for any questions or if you CAN’T come so she can guilt you into it JUST KIDDING. We all want to see you there though.
LAST thing…if you have pictures you want to share, bring them, I am going to scan them and will share with everyone. Plus I will be snapping away while I am there too.

Change...no expansion of this blog :)

Now that mom is on the mend...I was thinking about this blog and what I should do. Ruby's heart is healing and what on earth would I update on her here. Then it hit me....her family is her heart as well. So the tone of this journal might change a bit as time goes on to include more family things and not necessarily health related. Though I will always keep her health updated as well.

Family is more important than money or jobs or beliefs or anything really other than God and faith of course. We look into each others eyes and we see a piece of ourselves. Family love should be more unconditional, more tolerable, more easy, more expected, more freely given, more freely accepted. Time can't be taken back, we lost yesterday...did we spend it doing the important things such as praying, laughing, loving and fellowship with our families? If so...those memories are forever, if not...what do you remember about yesterday? I know we all have our family of husband and some have children, and those do come first...but why not open up to the other layers of family. We don't have to spend every day with our cousins, aunts, uncles, nephews, nieces, brothers, sisters, grandparents and parents...but we should remember time is fleeting. Regrets burn and I am sure we all have them. I think about family I have lost, Mark mostly...I don't want to feel that regret that I felt with him. I don't want anyone to feel that regret with anyone else in their families.

So just take time to go see someone, take time to send a card, a picture, make a call. I know we are all busy but time...it just is so slippery and we can't get it back. If there are things that upset you, things that have caused you to avoid family...is it really worth it? I am writing this to myself as much as to every family member that might read this. Apologies are not even needed, just start today as a new day and tell someone you love them. God says to forgive as he forgave us. Simple as that....ok not so simple, but we are commanded to do it nonetheless.

On that note, I shall digress. Next stop July 7th!

Ellen's visit..

I know...GASP I have no pictures...forgot my camera.

But, the day with her was wonderful and I am sure memories of that day will linger almost as long as a photo.

Mom thought we had left and I heard her on the phone with someone last evening talking about me and Ellen. She said that we blessed her heart when we laughed and cut up together. She went on and on about Ellen singing at church and also me and Lisa too. She was telling how Ellen, Lori and I have so much the same personality and silliness. It was sweet to hear her saying all these nice things about me...and Ellen and Lori as well. I walked in to her bedroom and didn't tell her I had heard, but she said...I thought you were gone?? I could have been talking about you. *smiles* I wiggled into her bed between her and daddy and we talked and laughed and I could have stayed there for hours.

Ellen has this voice that is flawless. She is full of Christ and it is made evident in her smile, her laugh and most definitely in her song.

After all the church activities were over and after we had stopped at the uncles...Her, mom and Scott and I stopped by Wilson's old house to take a breather and chat a while before Ellen made that long drive home. Todd has pictures on the wall of various musicians. But to one side there are pictures of family. Todd is so proud of his family, loves everyone of them so much. There was a picture of Todd at ohh about 14 with Pat Clark...they had sung at a wedding that day. Below it was a picture of Mark playing a fiddle and Lee Ervin (Ellen's dad) playing the guitar. There were several pictures of Mark, and a picture of Todd and Johnny and Little John playing on a stage in Valdese I think. Ellen loved looking at them, as much as Todd I suppose.

When Ellen sat down and we started talking. We had mentioned at the church about hoping she would move home...so we started talking about that again. She was very sincere when she said if she had a job here, she would love to move back to this area...to HOME. So she is really going to check into Sears to see if she can transfer to Hickory...wouldn't that be AWESOME! We could find a church together if the Lord led her to the same one as us! We are visiting Silver Creek next week matter of fact, LouElla invited me and I think it would be awesome to find a church that family goes to already. I really like Mom and Dad's church, but it is small and I want a church I can be active in and make friends to hang out with. I want Christian friends of a like mind...or close to a like mind...so we can fellowship, have fun and do things together. I WANT BURT AND LESLIE AND COLIN... :). Anyways, Ellen said she would visit church's too when she moved HOME. Mom and I were up talking this morning and mom just glowed when we talked about Ellen coming home. I could see us being very close, I already feel it. I can picture Her, Lori and I really spending a lot of time together. And Lisa just might have to be an adopted cousin :).

We hated to see Ellen go, but she will be back. She is coming for the July get together and may spend the night with me or mom one :)....I am voting ME!

Gran-Gran

I'm so glad that Debbie took Grandmaw to her doctor's appointment! Even though Grandmaw's blood is still thick, I'm glad the doctor will be able to regulate that with meds. Seems like most times that I visit, Debbie is there. She has a bright smile that warms a room and I'm glad my sweet Grandmother has a friend like Debbie! :) Debbie took her to Giovanni's and that seems like one of Grandmaw's favorite places. I remember taking her there a few months back along with her friend, Korey, and we had a great time.

Grandmaw's weight loss is wonderful -- her body just glows. Her incision also looks great -- I'm amazed at how strong her body is in healing so quickly. Praise be to God!!!

When I called to check in on Grandmaw last week and asked if she needed anything I could sneak in to her, I was surprised that she asked for Brady's tuna salad. He made a batch just that afternoon and the timing couldn't have been better!! She likes all the fresh veggies he puts in the tuna salad. She asked if I helped with it, and I sheepishly told her that I held Lily up to watch him stir it... I don't think that counts... she got a chuckle about that! :)

Lily enjoys spending time with her Gran-Gran. When Gran-Gran asked Lily is she would like some grapes from the basket Gran-Gran's cousins delivered earlier that day, I don't think Lily's smile could have gotten any bigger! ;) We enjoy spending time with Gran-Gran and we've been waiting for Gran-Gran to feel up to a trip to the park for the longest!! She was too tired to go Friday as we planned, but we've rescheduled and look forward to that outing next week.

ON THE QT (just kidding, I hope Grandmaw does read this!): Lily is helping me with a craft project for her Gran-Gran that ran out of supplies and we've been waiting since May 11th for the supplies to come in the mail so that we can finally finish it up!!! The supplies finally made it yesterday, so we hope to deliver the product of our efforts soon. (It was supposed to have been finished before Grandmaw got out of the hospital but was derailed when the supplies ran out -- oh, well!)

MEMORY: I remember last summer when we went with Grandmaw and Grandpaw to church most Wednesday nights. Here is a picture of Gran-Gran and Lily from one of those nights after Grandpaw's series teaching of the Revelation:

Great Sunday!

Just wanted to update that today was a wonderful day, it couldn't have been better ... unless more of the family had been there. Ellen came and sang and ohh she blessed our hearts. Lisa and I sang and then Todd even got up and sang. Ohh and Daddy sang :).

We had a lot there, even some people from a neighboring church Silver Creek came and stayed for the service...Silver Creek had their home coming today as well. It was some of our relatives. They had a dedication to Mom and Dad and that is why we wanted as much family there as possible. Brad and Kita came. Mom and Dad were so touched by the things said and done today. They sat up front while the entire church made a line and came and hugged them and told them how much they are appreciated. It was so special.

The food was great, I cooked a ton for once. Mom made her dumps. We had a wonderful Fellowship before during and after the food. Ellen and mom and I went to Ray and Nancy's and took them a small album of the pictures from when Eddie and Ellen came. They loved them and we played with Samuel and Eli....ohhh such cute cute babies. Samuel is a ham, Eli is a little shy. But when I was leaving Samuel gave me a hug and Eli talked to me a little so all was good.

We stopped by Ed and Gladys house, but she was gone but I did leave the album with Ed. Elmer already has his. Eddie I will mail you yours soon, Ellen has hers and is cutting her pictures out while I type probably :). Nooo right now she is driving home :(.

PRAY PRAY PRAY that we can find Ellen a good job, she said if there was a job here she would move home, that would be so wonderful.

Also, pray for our get together in July and then all of us ladies are going to Myrtle Beach in October for sun, fun, music, preaching, food, fellowship, hot tubs and shopping :). I am getting us a condo and we are going for a week. I can't wait. So far it is Lori, Louise, Ellen, Mom, Gladys, Nancy, Kita and me.

ALSO...Family reunions are in October as well, Clark and Chapman. I will post more info here when we get it.

OK heading to the inlaws for the evening, just wanted to jot todays happiness down and mom is soooooo tired I think she will appreciate some quietness.

Mom was telling me how blessed she is to have such a great family. She feels like she has two daughters. Lisa has been so good to mom, mom tells me how much she does for her when she is at home. She has been the one during all of this illness that I could depend on, day or night. Scott and I both have came to love and appreciate Lisa and Todd so much...even more than before. I have to say in the past, I judged Lisa and didn't treat her like I should have. I have said things and done things I am so sorry for. I really am Lisa, sorry for so much. You never gave up on me though, you never turned your back on me when I was not the nicest person in the world to you. But Lisa...you are my sister...maybe not by blood but by Christ and by marriage. Everyone in this family should be so happy to have you, and be so thankful for all you do for mom and dad. I love you.

Mom is mom to a lot of people, she is so glad to be getting to spend more time with Ellen and Eddie and though she could never fill Audrey's place, I know she loves you both like you were her own. Her eyes light up every time you are mentioned.