Skip to main content

The passing of Charlotte

How could I write anything today without telling you that my sweet niece Charlotte passed away this morning, during the quiet hours before dawn. She leaves behind two adult sons, their wives, and four young grand children.

She endured a pancreas transplant and bowel removal two years ago at Univ. of Minneapolis. I stayed with her there for two weeks and some days it was touch and go.

She never fully recovered and never again ate a meal she could enjoy.

Approximately six weeks ago, she had a transplant of stomach, bowel, and all the digestive system at Georgetown, Univ. One of 12 such transplants in the world. I've decided it's better not to be among those numbers.

While it's the end of her pain and suffering it's the beginning for our family and her husband, John. She was such a dynamic and beautiful person both inside and out. A raven haired beauty with blue eyes that snapped with emotions, whether she was happy or sad. She never lost her West Virginia accent or her goodness while living around the world.

Now, she'll come home to her final resting place in the mountains of West Virginia where she'll be among family and friends.

Today, this Memorial Day as we pay respects to those who are no longer with us, let us remember to love the ones who stand beside us. It's the best we can do each day of our lives.

Blessings!

Comments

  1. I'm so sorry for your loss, Barb. Please know that we are thinking of you and your family at this sad time. Hope all is well with you and your girls. Please give them my regards.

    ReplyDelete
  2. What a wonderful tribute. I am sorry for your loss.

    ReplyDelete
  3. I am so sorry! Prayers for the healing of your family.

    ReplyDelete
  4. I am so sorry, Barbara. I pray for her family in their time of sorrow.

    ReplyDelete
  5. She was obviously a very brave person to undergo such extraordinary surgeries. She is no doubt a jewel for what she taught the many doctors and medical professionals who served her, that will enable them to treat other seriously ill people. May she rest in peace and may her family find peace.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Thanks for all the lovely comments. It's been hard. I'm with Pam, her sister, writing the obit. A kind of writing I certainly never intended to do.

    Blessings.

    ReplyDelete
  7. I'm so sorry for your loss. May you find peace in the gathering of loved ones.

    ReplyDelete
  8. I'm sorry to read about this. You paint a beautiful portrait of her with this post.

    ReplyDelete
  9. My condolences to all the family. I'm so sorry that she had to suffer so. She is at peace now. May God give you strength and comfort through this time.

    ReplyDelete
  10. Very sorry for your loss. Your family is in my prayers.

    ReplyDelete
  11. Love to you and to Charlotte! Kim xxxxxxx

    ReplyDelete
  12. So sorry to hear of your loss. Prayers for all to find peace and understanding in such a difficult time.

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Ah, Spring and all her glory.

I'm enjoying the spring weather that has finally arrived in Ohio bringing blooming pear trees, red buds and tulip trees. How about you? Do you love spring as much as I do? I spent a day on the patio, putting out the table, chairs, umbrella. I painted a white wicker plant table and have decided it's too good for the patio. I plan to use it in the bathroom instead. Just when I thought winter would last forever, spring arrived with temperatures in the 70's. I noted buds covering my rose bush and a robin building a nest in the crevice of my chimney. I wanted to let them stay but they managed to leave so much debris at my front door that I had no choice but to shoo them away. Hopefully they've moved on to one of the many trees and bushes in my community, a more cozy place for raising babies. When I was a kid growing up in Putnam County, WV, I was outside at the first glimpse of the sun coming through my bedroom window. I ran through our yard, down through the orcha

The Dreaded School Pictures

This year when my children brought home their school pictures, I cringed.  These kids can leave home looking cherubic, but the minute they pose for that school photographer they are transposed into unrecognizable beings.  My middle daughter brought home pictures bearing her name and room number that couldn't have been my offspring. Nor a distant relative. I had worked for hours on this child. Her hair was parted in the middle and drawn into a cute little ponytail over each ear. Even though she is at an awkward age, she looked adorable when she went out that door. Her missing front teeth only added to her charm.  The kid in the picture has her mouth open wide displaying ugly dark gaps. Her one visible ponytail is lopsided, her part is uneven, and her bangs look like they were cut with pinking shears. I know this isn't my child because I always give my children a good haircut before they have their pictures taken. The only thing vaguely familiar is the sweater t

A Revolutionary New Diet...

Recently I went on a diet. Like most diets this one was scheduled around a major life event. My daughter's wedding. There would be no shopping for a mother-of-the-bride dress until the pounds came off. Typically I go on a diet on Monday and by Wednesday I've folded beneath the weight of a German chocolate cake. I've been hijacked by as little as a stale pink sugar wafer discovered in the dark recesses of the bread drawer. But this time things were going to be different. I could tell as I went to get the mail and discovered the first crocus of the season. Life was looking up. Even though an icy rain began to fall, my spirits weren't dampened. Not even when huge drops pelted me on the head and I had to dash inside. My latest plan would revolutionize dieting. If it worked for me it would work for the world. I smelled a book deal. I could see myself all made-over and liposuctioned sitting between Oprah and Dr. Oz. It was full speed ahead. Gone were those complex menus