🎶There's within my heart a melody, Jesus whispers sweet and low, fear not I am with thee, peace be still, in all of life's ebb and flow...🎶
Oh my! I have allowed time to get by. And, as always with life, nothing has remained the same.
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| A Sunny Day |
Oh my! I have allowed time to get by. And, as always with life, nothing has remained the same.
Many of you knew that John's sister Judy was not doing well. This was shared privately behind the scenes. Her sister, niece, and I had been terribly stressed by the closing of her nursing home due to the concerns about Covid-19.
There were no window visits allowed, no pizza delivery allowed, and few phone calls. Judy was so far along in her journey that she could no longer make or receive phone calls. It was a challenging time for all.
There were no window visits allowed, no pizza delivery allowed, and few phone calls. Judy was so far along in her journey that she could no longer make or receive phone calls. It was a challenging time for all.
I am grateful that both her niece and sister were allowed two compassion visits during that time. However, there were no visits allowed in that final week, even for them, hence the stress. (Judy was tested and did not have Covid-19.) We are rejoicing that she is safely home and not languishing here. I try not to think of the days she spent alone. Of course, no one is ever truly alone. Every time I think of her being with John, it makes me smile. They were best buddies as you can see from these pictures.
1986
2015
As you can imagine, a loss in this Time of Covid is almost surreal. When one would most wish to give or receive a hug, that comfort is denied. It is odd to see everyone wearing masks and to have the pastor doing a funeral wearing a mask is bizarre. I thought Judy would have chuckled to see us.
She loved life and laughter.
🌷🌷🌷🌷
She loved life and laughter.
🌷🌷🌷🌷
Stay safe; stay free. They are not mutually exclusive.
My workaround...
ReplyDeleteSincere condolences My heart goes out to you, you remain in my prayers. Take care.
ReplyDeleteVee I am sorry to hear of your precious loss. It has been just so very sad that so many are family members are not able to be with their loved ones in the hospitals, nursing homes and etc. Just heart breaking. My mom is in the nursing home and she has dementia so this has been very difficult for her to understand why my sister and I cannot be there with her. I get it...I surely do but it's touch for our loved ones. At first we could visit at the window if we wanted too which only lasted a week as it began to become a distraction to the staff so they ended it. In our case we chose not to visit mom at the window because it would have caused her more discomfort by her not understanding why we couldn't come in. We have been able to call and the nurses will take her a phone and allow her to talk with us for a few minutes. We can facetime with her if the nurses are not busy but that for her has been hard too. Just heartbreaking Vee. But, though we are living in changing times I praise God we serve a God that never changes. So good to visit with you dear Vee. I think of you often. Hugs and blessings, Cindy
ReplyDeleteSo sorry for your loss dear Vee. Judy certainly looked like a fun loving lady, and I'm sure she and John (they looked a lot alike) are together again, laughing and happy. I always feel that way because I hope I will be with my loved ones again some day. It's a difficult time to lose a loved one as we cannot comfort family and friends as we would like.
ReplyDeleteMy prayers are with you all.
Sounds like my father who passed away on April 2nd. Several weeks before no visitors were allowed and he just went downhill after that. He wasn't even allowed in the hallway. He gave up and passed away. He did not have Covid-19. On top of that I couldn't fly to Florida to say goodbye or attend his service. I'm struggling with not being able to say goodbye. ((Hugs)) So sorry for your loss.
ReplyDeleteYes, I agree that it is so hard on those who are without their families that many give up. The cost of these kinds of death may ultimately be as high or higher than those from Covid-19. It is a scary thought.
DeleteI have thought the same thing, Vee. So very sad.
DeleteDear Vee, I am so sorry to hear of your loss. These are truly difficult days when we cannot hug or even visit with the ones who are hurting. Our family went through a similar situation. It's wonderful, though, to think of Judy rejoicing with Jesus and laughing with John. Praying that our God of all comfort will comfort you and your family.
ReplyDeleteLove and hugs,
I am so sorry for your loss and I may for peace in the family. It seems that life has changed so much in the past month and I feel for families that have not been able to see loved ones or say goodbye.
ReplyDeleteI am so sorry Vee...sending you lots of love. (here, funerals are not allowed, sadly)...I can only imagine the pain of not saying goodbye...
ReplyDeleteNot allowed? That is awful. There were only ten allowed, we could not sit together, and all had to wear masks. At least, we had some closure.
DeleteI am so sorry for this loss in your life, all compounded by what the world is going through right now. Love, hugs and prayers for you dear Vee ~ FlowerLady
ReplyDeleteI am so sorry that you've lost this precious lady. It's been a hard week for us too and I was writing my post today to publish on Thursday. I'm keeping you in my prayers and everyone in the family. Take care!
ReplyDeleteI'm so sorry, Vee. These are the times that try men's souls. Praying for you and your family as you remember your dear sister-in-law.
ReplyDeleteI am so sorry for your loss, dear Vee. I know how much you cared for Judy. Indeed, try not to think of the time she spent alone. It is all forgotten now in the joy of seeing her Savior. And what a true blessing to know that she is with John. How excited he must have been to see her!
ReplyDeleteSo true -- being safe and being free are not mutually exclusive.
Sorry to hear of your loss but oh what a reunion that must of been for her and John to meet again.
ReplyDeleteIm so very sorry about the loss of Judy. What a terrible time for families to grieve over a loved one, but as you said, Judy was never really alone. What a wonderful thought to know that John and Judy are together. Thank you for sharing their pictures, Vee.
ReplyDeleteSorry to hear about Judy's struggle on earth during this weird time of masks and no hugs. Comforting to think of her being with John in that best place to be! We have one extended family member in Hospice right now and it's so hard for all who wait. Love the photos of John and Judy. Love their smiles, so contagious.
ReplyDeleteOh Vee - so sorry to hear of your loss. These truly are such weird times when we can't even visit those who need us the most! I'm glad you find comfort in knowing that she and John are having a reunion. Stay well and keep positive during these days!
ReplyDeleteI’m so sorry, Vee. These are days that we never imagined and it’s a challenging time at best. Losing someone right now is painful. I’m glad Mother isn’t here for this. It’s bad enough that Lillian is in the nursing home and so very much alone. I took her out for lunch and shopping on March 10th. Looking forward to seeing her again although we do talk every few days on the phone.
ReplyDeleteLove and prayers for you, Vee. Always....
Both pictures of John and Judy are delightful. I'm sure it was incredibly hard being isolated from Judy. I'm sure John would be pleased to know how much you cared for his dear sister. So sorry for your loss Vee. Thanks for sharing this with your people. ~ Abby
ReplyDeleteSo sorry for your loss, Vee. How reassuring to know John and his sister are together...where there is no more, sickness, sadness or separation. But how hard it is to bid farewell here on earth these days...where we can’t come together to mourn or be comforted. Keep looking up! BTW Great pic's of John and Judy.
ReplyDeleteVee, I am so sorry for your loss....it must be so very hard and as you say, surreal to lose someone at this strange time....I am sure she knew she was loved...hugs and blessings.
ReplyDeleteI'm so sorry. I can't imagine. I know someone whose young adult daughter is having open heart surgery. They have to drop her off, and can't be with her at all for a week. They'll be notified when they can pick her up! It's so unreal!
ReplyDeleteGlad to think of she and John together again, and, as you said, she was NOT alone. So thankful.
I am so sorry for your loss. I can't even imagine going through this during the time. Sending hugs.
ReplyDeleteI am so sorry to hear about your loss, Vee. How sad and lonely this all sounds. My heart goes out to you and the rest of Judy's family.
ReplyDeleteI am saddened to read of your loss, and interested, too, as my mother is in a nursing home with the same rules you're had to deal with. Sister and I have wondered how things would play out should her condition deteriorate during this time of no visitors and so much isolation. Thank you for sharing the hard stuff of life. We do learn valuable information and perspectives from each other.
ReplyDeleteThe brother-and-sister pictures are great. Thanks for sharing them.
Dear Vee, I am so sad to learn of your loss. My sincere condolences to you and all Judy's family. I send my prayers for comfort and strength for all left here on earth. The photos of Judy with John are very touching. May you be well and safe in these strange days.
ReplyDeleteDear Vee, I'm so sorry for this sad news. But I did giggle to think Judy and John were having a reunion of the most joyful kind, no doubt complete with hugs. I love the words to that old hymn you are 'singing' at the top of this post.
ReplyDeleteWishing you His comfort in this time of loss and mourning.
Brenda xox
I'm sorry to hear about your loss. It is very distressing to not be able to visit with loved ones during hard times and grief. She looks like a happy lady, so comforting to know she is with John in the Lord's presence. xo Deborah
ReplyDeleteI love the song lyrics that you shared at the beginning of this post! Beautiful and comforting!
ReplyDeleteI am so sorry to hear of the passing of John's sister, your sister-in-law/friend. Loss is never easy, but it is made even more difficult by the presence of the pandemic. So hard. I thank the Lord that He has promised never to leave us nor forsake us. Like you, I trust that he was with your sister/friend as she walked the path into eternity. Praying for those who loved her. ♥
For sure He is with us through lifes ebb and flow and covid ... so sorry to hear about John's sister, and that she was alone at the end, yet I have no doubt the Lord gave her great comfort in knowing she would soon be with Him. I'm sure He ushered into heaven well. Everything is so weird now and funerals are the hardest I think. Take care, Vee.
ReplyDeleteI am so sorry, Vee, that you have lost a someone like that. I can see that she and John were true buddies and are now making jokes in another life, I hope...happy and free from all pain.
ReplyDeleteBlessings to you-I hope you had a blessed Sunday/Mother's Day. xo Diana
I'm sorry for the loss of Judy in your life, and that she could not have many visitors in her final days on earth. This covid has stolen so much that is precious from life, but thankfully, we can rejoice that she is now with the Lord, and never will be alone again. I enjoyed the pictures of her and John together. May the Lord comfort your hearts because of earths' loss. Much love to you dear friend!
ReplyDeleteOh my dear friend. I am so so sorry - I cannot even imagine how one would handle losing a loved one at this horrible time.
ReplyDeleteBlessed and comforted are the Believers, for they know they shall find peace.
May you be comforted knowing you are loved. I am so sorry for your loss.
I love that pic of John and Judy - both of them - that kind of brother/sister love shows through so strongly. Rest in Peace, Judy.
I am so sad to read this. My heartfelt sympathy to you.
ReplyDeleteI am so sorry, yet I know there is comfort in that they are together.
ReplyDeleteTerrible time for families with loved ones in nursing facilities.
xoox Su
What wonderful photos of both John and Judy! I am so sorry for your loss. Judy did look like a cheerful person.
ReplyDeleteIt has been so stressful in many ways these days. So much loss for so many, and so much worry for others, and so much more division everywhere. I am praying for a successful vaccine.