Beverly White passed away this afternoon. At her bedside were her husband of 55 years, and her beloved sister, Andra, as well as the hospital chaplain.
She left her earthly body in peace, and knowing that she would meet her Lord in heaven. She had been in great pain and exhaustion, and has been released from her suffering.
We are all deeply saddened that she won't be with us here anymore, celebrating holidays and special occasions, and taking an avid interest in our lives. And we'll miss her amazing cooking! She was a lovely woman.
But we know that we will see and be with her again someday.
Today, Beverly, my mother-in-law opted to discontinue the IV and all medications. She could rally, of course, but that's not likely. Her health has continuously faltered for the past few years, and she's not rebounding physically.
In the past few weeks, she's enjoyed the company of her loved ones. Ron flew up there last week, and spent time with her. When she glimpsed him, she almost leaped out bed wth joy, and held onto him tightly. They chatted for hours.
She met with an Episcopal priest on Friday, and he served communion to her and her husband of 55 years on Monday. They were deeply touched, and felt close to God.
So many of you have emailed me to say that she is in your prayers. Thank you.... thank you so very much.
Now would be a good time to keep her in your prayers. UPDATE - Beverly White will be moving to a hospice in the next day or two. This is her clear choice, and she is at peace.
As I write these words, my mother-in-law, Beverly, is being rushed from a convalescent facility back to a hospital emergency room. She was at the facility only two days.
It sounds like congestive heart failure, but I'm getting that info secondhand from Ron, who's following the ambulance in his father's car. His father is with his mother.
Ron says it's not her time... but truthfully, he has no idea. A small part of us might always deny it when it's our parents. He said they have the "do not resuscitate" papers in order.
Please say a prayer for her... for what, I'm not sure. For God's peace, I suppose.
Yes, for God's peace that surpasses all human understanding.
Katharine Lee Bates wrote the original version of America the Beautiful in 1893. She wrote the 2nd version in 1904. Below is her final version, written in 1913. America the Beautiful O beautiful for spacious skies, For amber waves of grain, For purple mountain majesties Above the fruited plain! America! America! God shed his grace on thee And crown thy good with brotherhood From sea to shining sea! O beautiful for pilgrim feet Whose stern, impassioned stress A thoroughfare for freedom beat Across the wilderness! America! America! God mend thine every flaw, Confirm thy soul in self-control, Thy liberty in law! O beautiful for heroes proved In liberating strife. Who more than self the country loved And mercy more than life! America! America! May God thy gold refine Till all success be nobleness And every gain divine! O beautiful for patriot dream That sees beyond the years Thine alabaster cities gleam Undimmed by human tears! America! America! od shed his grace on thee And crown thy good with brotherhood From sea to shining sea! O beautiful for halcyon skies, For amber waves of grain, For purple mountain majesties Above the enameled plain!America! America! God shed his grace on thee Till souls wax fair as earth and air And music-hearted sea! O beautiful for pilgrims feet, Whose stern impassioned stress A thoroughfare for freedom beat Across the wilderness! America ! America ! God shed his grace on thee Till paths be wrought through wilds of thought By pilgrim foot and knee! O beautiful for glory-tale Of liberating strife When once and twice,for man's avail Men lavished precious life ! America! America! God shed his grace on thee Till selfish gain no longer stain The banner of the free! O beautiful for patriot dream That sees beyond the years Thine alabaster cities gleam Undimmed by human tears! America! America!God shed his grace on thee Till nobler men keep once again Thy whiter jubilee!
I've always loved this poem.... For some odd reason, it comes to mind as my mother-in-law struggles today for her life. She's having emergency heart surgery this morning. No one is sure she'll survive it, but it's necessary. Ron talked to her last night. She sounded strong, confident... even casual. Said she can't she can't wait to see him on Sunday, and hopes she's home by then. But she knows. Please say a prayer for her. No man is an island,
Entire of itself.
Each is a piece of the continent,
A part of the main.
If a clod be washed away by the sea,
Europe is the less.
As well as if a promontory were.
As well as if a manner of thine own
Or of thine friend's were.
Each man's death diminishes me,
For I am involved in mankind.
Therefore, send not to know
For whom the bell tolls,
It tolls for thee. -- British poet John Donne (1572 - 1631)
Ron's aunt made that dreaded phone call to him tonight. It's time to visit his mother, Beverly, perhaps to lift her spirits.
And perhaps to say good-bye.
She's been in the hospital for 10 days now with pneumonia and related complications. Things were looking slightly better over the weekend, but she had a setback today, and is in intensive care tonight.
The doctors are worried about her heart. Her poor, frail body is exhausted. We all know how truly tired she is....
But it's hard to believe. And Ron's father can't seem to grasp the realities of her illness. He's still making plans to bring her home soon. They've been married for 55 years, and he knows no life without her. She's been his sun and his moon and his guiding star.
God, please grant Ron and me the wisdom to know how to be present for his mother, and how to help his father.
And for us to remember that in all things, you work for the good of those who love you.
Ron's 77-year-old mother, Beverly, is quite ill with pneumonia. She had part of a lung removed last year, and has grown considerably frailer since then. We can't remember the last time she felt well. Please say a small prayer for her recovery, or at least for her to be strong enough to return home. She's now been in the hospital for six days, and badly wants to leave. She's tired of the hospital, tired of IVs, and tired of the hospital schedule. Our fear is that she's just very, very deep-down tired.....
