This is the first time that I have posted since Ron's death on July 20th. I know that I will miss him for the rest of my life, as he was the love my life. Many of those who attended Ron's funeral have commented to me and others that they were blessed by being there. The services were a true testimony of Ron's good character and his love for our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
I am most appreciative to all who helped out at the funeral, whether it be with the services, food, lodging, encouragement, flowers, cards, gifts, visits, prayers, babysitting or other acts of kindnesses. I have a stack of names with a sticky note on the stack reminding me to "get around" to writing each of you a personal note. BUT, it may be another few weeks before I can find the time to concentrate. I know!! Ann Landers would scold me for waiting!!!! lol
I have signed an offer and acceptance on a condo here in Fairfield Bay. My plans are to sell our house and move to the condo. My friends, Ronnie & Shelia are doing one fine job of assisting me with preparing it for sale. Thankfully, Ron had already had most of it completed 5 years ago. Most of what we are doing is cosmetic touch-ups. I hope and pray that I can get it on the market before the end of September.
Matt, Michael & Jonathan (Ron's sons) came up last Saturday to help with all of the stuff. My daughters, Machelle, Raquenta and Bridget have also been here this past week helping. Madge, (Ron's Mother) spent the last two nights with me and left this morning to go back to Longview, TX.
Even after giving a lot of stuff to the kids and friends, I still have a lot of stuff to get rid of. So, I have decided to help my granddaughter, Faith (age 6) with a business venture. Faith's Mom, Raquenta and I are opening a flea market booth and will be using the proceeds to help Faith with her very own "recreational account." Clever, huh? Of course, we may go out of business pretty quick too, but at least it will give me an incentive to give away what I do not need. Faith is a delightful little sweetheart who is age 6 and has delayed developments. She has a new device that is assisting with teaching her to talk.
Business and work?? I think I will postpone making those decisions until I get rested up--maybe after the first of the year.
I bought a cute sign for my condo the other day. It reads "It Was Grace Alone." It will serve as a constant reminder to the goodness and importance of "His Grace."
May God richly bless each of you during this upcoming week.
As always, you have my kindest regards,
Joyce
P.S. I will be closing this blog in the very near future. Thank you all for your interest in keeping up with the blog and the encouragement you gave to both Ron and me. He loved each of you and so do I!!
The Love of My Life!
Sunday, August 14, 2011
Wednesday, July 20, 2011
Dear Friends & Family,
It is with great sadness, a hurting heart and tear filled eyes that I write this update.
Ron passed away this morning. Although he has taken his last breath on this earth, the family and I find comfort in knowing that he is now with Our Lord and Savior. Ron was very prepared for this day and his final days on this earth. He is no longer suffering. I will miss him forever and ever.
Funerals services are as follows:
Thursday, July 21, 20116:00 p.m.-8:00 p.m. Visitation & Viewing
Fairfield Bay Baptist Church, Fairfield Bay, Arkansas
481 Dave Creek Parkway
Fairfield Bay, Arkansas 72088
501-884-3371
Friday, July 22, 2011
9:00 a.m.-9:30 a.m. Viewing
10:00 a.m.-11:30 a.m. Funeral
Fairfield Bay Baptist Church, Fairfield Bay, Arkansas
481 Dave Creek Parkway
Fairfield Bay, Arkansas 72088
Noon(ish) Estimate Depart Church-Drive to Pinecrest Cemetery
2:30/2:45 p.m. Estimate Burial- Brief Graveside Services
Pinecrest Memorial Park
7401 Highway 5 North
Alexander, AR 72002
501-847-0265
Arrangements are under the direction of Roller McNutt Funeral Home, Clinton, Arkansas 501-745-2151.
Dobbs' Mailing Address
P.O. Box 1278
Fairfield Bay, AR 72088
Thank you for continuing to keep all of Ron's family and loved ones in your prayers.
With love,
Joyce
It is with great sadness, a hurting heart and tear filled eyes that I write this update.
Ron passed away this morning. Although he has taken his last breath on this earth, the family and I find comfort in knowing that he is now with Our Lord and Savior. Ron was very prepared for this day and his final days on this earth. He is no longer suffering. I will miss him forever and ever.
Funerals services are as follows:
Thursday, July 21, 20116:00 p.m.-8:00 p.m. Visitation & Viewing
Fairfield Bay Baptist Church, Fairfield Bay, Arkansas
481 Dave Creek Parkway
Fairfield Bay, Arkansas 72088
501-884-3371
Friday, July 22, 2011
9:00 a.m.-9:30 a.m. Viewing
10:00 a.m.-11:30 a.m. Funeral
Fairfield Bay Baptist Church, Fairfield Bay, Arkansas
481 Dave Creek Parkway
Fairfield Bay, Arkansas 72088
Noon(ish) Estimate Depart Church-Drive to Pinecrest Cemetery
2:30/2:45 p.m. Estimate Burial- Brief Graveside Services
Pinecrest Memorial Park
7401 Highway 5 North
Alexander, AR 72002
501-847-0265
Arrangements are under the direction of Roller McNutt Funeral Home, Clinton, Arkansas 501-745-2151.
Dobbs' Mailing Address
P.O. Box 1278
Fairfield Bay, AR 72088
Thank you for continuing to keep all of Ron's family and loved ones in your prayers.
With love,
Joyce
Tuesday, July 19, 2011
8:15 p.m., Tuesday, July 19, 2011
Nurse came by and put in the pain pump. Ron seems to be resting. I feel so very bad for him and for myself & his other loved ones. I know the pain meds will probably make him sleep much of the time.
I HATE it!
Gonna call it a night and try to get some rest.
Love,
Joyce
Nurse came by and put in the pain pump. Ron seems to be resting. I feel so very bad for him and for myself & his other loved ones. I know the pain meds will probably make him sleep much of the time.
I HATE it!
Gonna call it a night and try to get some rest.
Love,
Joyce
11:30 a.m,Tuesday, July 19, 2011
Aide just left--she was great in helping Ron with a bath, lotion and resting better.
Medical people brought the hospital bed-it looks like the special mattress is going to work out well.
Raquenta (my daughter) and Mike (my son in law) came up to help with the moving out of the kingsize and assisting the delivery guy with putting the hospital bed together-then tkaing extra stuff to storage that we moved out of the bedroom.
Ron had pain during the night, so I got up a couple of times to administrer pain pills.
Today is going to be different. Lot's going on in regards to Ron's care and comfort level. Guess we'll learn as we go.
Thank you all for continuing to think of us..especially the last few days when things have been happening so fast.
Love to each of you,
Joyce
Aide just left--she was great in helping Ron with a bath, lotion and resting better.
Medical people brought the hospital bed-it looks like the special mattress is going to work out well.
Raquenta (my daughter) and Mike (my son in law) came up to help with the moving out of the kingsize and assisting the delivery guy with putting the hospital bed together-then tkaing extra stuff to storage that we moved out of the bedroom.
Ron had pain during the night, so I got up a couple of times to administrer pain pills.
Today is going to be different. Lot's going on in regards to Ron's care and comfort level. Guess we'll learn as we go.
Thank you all for continuing to think of us..especially the last few days when things have been happening so fast.
Love to each of you,
Joyce
Monday, July 18, 2011
UPDATE:
5:00 p.m., Monday, July 18, 2011
It is with great sadness that I write this update. The hospice nurse came today and confirmed that Ron's health is declining rapidly. While she explained to me that no one knows for sure how to predict when a person's life will end, she said often times, in hospice type situations their predictions can be reasonably close when the predictions are based on signs and symptoms. She says Ron has the signs and symptoms of someone who may pass away at anytime and predicted it could be within the week.
The nurse is ordering a special hospital bed that will be here in the morning. She is also contacting Dr. Coward for an order for a pain management pump. Once that begins, I am sure Ron will be sleeping most of the time. I know I reported that he was not in any pain a few days ago. That has changed. For now, and until the pain pump arrives, Ron will use the pain pills.
Michael and Jonathan, (two of Ron's sons) were here today sorting through storage things and moving them to Little Rock. These are the family heirlooms, scrapbooks, etc that Ron had packed away for them.
Madge, Ron's Mother has canceled her plans to go back to her home in Texas.
I know everyone wants to do something...but at this time, we do not need anything. If/When that changes and we have a specific need, we will let everyone know. We will have out of town people here for if/when there is a funeral. At that time, we will welcome food because we will have a definite need. If that time comes, most of us would prefer no sweets. Other than that, keep the cards coming, as Ron enjoys me reading them to him. It helps him to stay connected to the outside world.
We both continue to believe and know that God is still in control and He has wonderful plans for Ron.
Specific prayers include, please pray for Ron's comfort and God's continued Grace to get us both through this difficult time.
As always, you have our kindest regards,
Joyce
5:00 p.m., Monday, July 18, 2011
It is with great sadness that I write this update. The hospice nurse came today and confirmed that Ron's health is declining rapidly. While she explained to me that no one knows for sure how to predict when a person's life will end, she said often times, in hospice type situations their predictions can be reasonably close when the predictions are based on signs and symptoms. She says Ron has the signs and symptoms of someone who may pass away at anytime and predicted it could be within the week.
The nurse is ordering a special hospital bed that will be here in the morning. She is also contacting Dr. Coward for an order for a pain management pump. Once that begins, I am sure Ron will be sleeping most of the time. I know I reported that he was not in any pain a few days ago. That has changed. For now, and until the pain pump arrives, Ron will use the pain pills.
Michael and Jonathan, (two of Ron's sons) were here today sorting through storage things and moving them to Little Rock. These are the family heirlooms, scrapbooks, etc that Ron had packed away for them.
Madge, Ron's Mother has canceled her plans to go back to her home in Texas.
I know everyone wants to do something...but at this time, we do not need anything. If/When that changes and we have a specific need, we will let everyone know. We will have out of town people here for if/when there is a funeral. At that time, we will welcome food because we will have a definite need. If that time comes, most of us would prefer no sweets. Other than that, keep the cards coming, as Ron enjoys me reading them to him. It helps him to stay connected to the outside world.
We both continue to believe and know that God is still in control and He has wonderful plans for Ron.
Specific prayers include, please pray for Ron's comfort and God's continued Grace to get us both through this difficult time.
As always, you have our kindest regards,
Joyce
Sunday, July 17, 2011
6:15 p.m., Sunday, 7/17/2011
I was very surprised this morning when Ron said he wanted to get dressed to go out for breakfast. He ate only a bite or two of his omelet. Usually, when we go out for breakfast, we both read the paper and he does the crossword. This morning, he did a couple of the words and got very tired. Instead of wanting to come home, he wanted to go down to our nearby lake area. When we got to the lake, it was obvious that Ron could not enjoy being there because he kept nodding off to sleep. We stayed for a little while and came home. He has been in bed all day, still eating very little.
Matt came up from Little Rock and he and I worked on storage stuff. Michael and Jonathan will be here tomorrow to help and to visit with their Dad.
Ron's Aunt Velma came over to pick up Ron's mother, Madge to take over to Velma's lake house in Greers Ferry for the night.
I'm going to bed very soon.
Love,
Joyce
I was very surprised this morning when Ron said he wanted to get dressed to go out for breakfast. He ate only a bite or two of his omelet. Usually, when we go out for breakfast, we both read the paper and he does the crossword. This morning, he did a couple of the words and got very tired. Instead of wanting to come home, he wanted to go down to our nearby lake area. When we got to the lake, it was obvious that Ron could not enjoy being there because he kept nodding off to sleep. We stayed for a little while and came home. He has been in bed all day, still eating very little.
Matt came up from Little Rock and he and I worked on storage stuff. Michael and Jonathan will be here tomorrow to help and to visit with their Dad.
Ron's Aunt Velma came over to pick up Ron's mother, Madge to take over to Velma's lake house in Greers Ferry for the night.
I'm going to bed very soon.
Love,
Joyce
Saturday, July 16, 2011
8:30 p.m., Saturday, July 16, 2011
Ron is still not doing very well--no improvement. He is coherent and can talk but even a few brief words wear him out. He ate a bite or so of lemon pudding & a small popsickle today. He is living on water and crushed ice. He knows the importance of nutrients, but he also knows that whatever nutrients he can force down is not likely to change things. So, he says if he does not want it or cannot tolerate it, there is no use in him eating it. At this stage of his illness, I completely agree. He knows that I and his mother are standing by to cook whatever he might want. There are many others also standing by with offers of food preparations.
Ron does not know what I am thinking which is, "I am wondering how much longer he can go on in this kind of condition". Please, I do not want anyone to write and give me the specifics as to how much longer Ron can suffer, as I already know it could be for quite sometime.
I have personally assisted with many end of life issues when I have worked in my business that I co-own providing crisis assistance to the elderly. Some patients suffer for a long,long time. Those experiences do not make it easier for me to watch Ron slowly slip away. I HATE IT!! I know all of you do too. Thankfully, I was able to take a leave from the business a few months back, so I could devote that time to being with Ron.
A few days ago and before I called in hospice, I was online researching and ran across the "Signs and Symptoms of Approaching Death" on the Hospice Patients Alliance website. Ron has 6 out of 10 of the signs.
Ron & I had a special time this afternoon listening to our wedding music, but he fell asleep, so we will try again later.
Matt, (Ron's oldest son) is coming tomorrow. His brothers, Michael and Jonathan are coming on Monday. We will be working on more stuff in storage and a few things around here.
Thank you for your continued expressions of love, concern and prayers.
Joyce
Ron is still not doing very well--no improvement. He is coherent and can talk but even a few brief words wear him out. He ate a bite or so of lemon pudding & a small popsickle today. He is living on water and crushed ice. He knows the importance of nutrients, but he also knows that whatever nutrients he can force down is not likely to change things. So, he says if he does not want it or cannot tolerate it, there is no use in him eating it. At this stage of his illness, I completely agree. He knows that I and his mother are standing by to cook whatever he might want. There are many others also standing by with offers of food preparations.
Ron does not know what I am thinking which is, "I am wondering how much longer he can go on in this kind of condition". Please, I do not want anyone to write and give me the specifics as to how much longer Ron can suffer, as I already know it could be for quite sometime.
I have personally assisted with many end of life issues when I have worked in my business that I co-own providing crisis assistance to the elderly. Some patients suffer for a long,long time. Those experiences do not make it easier for me to watch Ron slowly slip away. I HATE IT!! I know all of you do too. Thankfully, I was able to take a leave from the business a few months back, so I could devote that time to being with Ron.
A few days ago and before I called in hospice, I was online researching and ran across the "Signs and Symptoms of Approaching Death" on the Hospice Patients Alliance website. Ron has 6 out of 10 of the signs.
Ron & I had a special time this afternoon listening to our wedding music, but he fell asleep, so we will try again later.
Matt, (Ron's oldest son) is coming tomorrow. His brothers, Michael and Jonathan are coming on Monday. We will be working on more stuff in storage and a few things around here.
Thank you for your continued expressions of love, concern and prayers.
Joyce
Friday, July 15, 2011
3:00 p.m., Friday, 7/15/2011
Ron did not have a good night and is not having a very good day. This morning, I panicked and called our pastor, Bro. Ken who was quick to respond arriving within minutes. When he got here, Ron was better and able to communicate. The nurse and aide have been here today. Ron is better than he was this morning, but still not doing very well.
More later,
Joyce
Ron did not have a good night and is not having a very good day. This morning, I panicked and called our pastor, Bro. Ken who was quick to respond arriving within minutes. When he got here, Ron was better and able to communicate. The nurse and aide have been here today. Ron is better than he was this morning, but still not doing very well.
More later,
Joyce
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