Sunday, December 25, 2005

Merry Christmas!

Wishing you and yours a wonderful day...

Monday, December 19, 2005

A fitting conclusion

Eileen Howells passed away this morning, joining her husband Harold in the afterlife.

She was my last living grandparent.

She passed peacefully, or as peacefully as such things go. She entered ICU Saturday evening, fell asleep on Sunday, and took her last breath earlier this morning. When we heard that she entered the hospital and things didn't look good, we hoped this would be the end. Dimentia had set in so her recollection of family was limited at best. Her children didn't necessarily get along and the majority of the family is spread out accross the country. Her wish was that the kids would stop arguing and enjoy the holidays with one another. As I type this, all her children that are able are gathering back in Ohio. As much as she was loving she was equally stubborn, and even in her death she appears to have gotten her way, if only for a day or two before the arguing over the services sets in.

Harry and Eileen were youth leaders at their local church for well over 20 years, faithfully serving their Lord by coming along side the high school children of their community and meeting them at their level. Their home was always open to the students they helped raise up, the plain and simple truth was always spoken in love, and their most profound message was simple: "God loves you and so do I."

May they both rest in peace.