A Season of Love:

November 21 Laie Temple Dedication was held in 3 sessions here. We were privileged to attend in the celestial room, noon session,seated in row 2. Bill's leadership in the hostessing booth allowed that opportunity. Words cannot express that adequately, nor the experiences in manning the booth daily. I was in DM for 2 weeks, so he was off to the temple grounds each day by 7 [excluding Sundays]. Serving others is Bill's forte. The Pierces were heavily involved, also, and sat across from us at the dedication. All 4 daughters attended in the temple also. Memory to last a lifetime.

November 25 Thanksgiving at our home--a privilege we'd waited for a L O N G time---All our children and their children were present. Photos captured that momentous occasion, our first all together in Hawaii--and that photo will remain in my heart. We'd been together in Iowa the year before, minus Mason and Bryson, though. so this was rare and so treasured.

December 2 Got a phonecall from Des Moines that afternoon. Mike was reporting that Grandma Reynolds had been readmitted to the hospital again, in ICU. He and Dan were first responders. I stood by, then on Friday morning got a call that the hospital was suggesting we all get there, that her life could be taken at any time. Bill and Joyce were flown in on a company plane. I spent the early morning hours finding a flight, then prepared my school FH lesson and sub, temple assignment subs, and FHC volunteering sub in preparation for a late flight that evening. Mixed emotions were involved here, as wanted to be in two places at once. Missed Megan's fall concert, Devotional performance, Salsa Band performance, and also one with the Concert Choir. That was very hard on me. Christmas shopping was still at the stores waiting for us. That had to be put on hold as the next 11 days were spent getting to and staying in DM and tending mom in the hospital.

December 4 Mom began improving and was moved upstairs to a regular room, nice and spacious, room 347 at Lutheran Hospital. Her bungled arm injection caused her to be weakened further, and her strength for recovery compromised. Could tell she was so tired, and she admitted that. It was determined that either nursing home care or hospice care was in order for her. We examined a few places, and through fasting and prayer, it was easy to tell her best option--The Taylor House Hospice, where my dad had been for 20 hrs. before he passed away in 2003.

December 9 Mom liked the idea of Taylor House when it was presented to her by Bill, along with us and Dr. Buchsbaum in the room. Immediately, it seems, she was transported this Thursday by ambulance there, while Pam, Joyce, and I brought items from her apartment--the drum table and items on it, photos from the TV, Stafi's Christmas boxes Xmas tree, and her nativity scene. The site was pleasant for her and for her family. Bill, Joyce, Mike, Pam and I were on call in the room. Couches, TV's, internet access, lots of treats and take out food available. We'd all take turns staying in the room and actually had bonding/family time like we'd never had in all our adult lives.

The first night there we had a "picnic" of mom's favorite food--Latin King cavatelli, and salad, and other things she loved. She ate well, and seemed to enjoy it and us very much. Aunt Ruthie came to see her, also cousin Mary Ann. Nice to be gathered all around her, enjoying what she loves, no attention any more to salt. The nights wore on, though, and she grew weaker. Some close to death experiences continued to be near and witnessed as we were there...about 6 or so of those since I'd arrived on the 4th. We'd watched her mouth Christmas carols we were listening to, comforted her, recalled early memories. . . but mom mostly slept.

December 10 - 13 I was so glad to see mom resting. She had lived a life of willingness to work hard. Time now to really r e s t . She ate for the last time that Friday, a taco salad the hospice chef, John had prepared and she liked it. She continued on her oxygen, but meds were stopped by Sunday morning since she was nauseated Saturday by those probably because of an empty stomach, I think. She kept hanging on, not much conversation here, but probably communicating intensely with those beyond the veil. At one time she asked me directly, "Did the baby get home?" Referring I'm sure to Avery's arrival finally to Erin in Hawaii. And was glad to say yes to that.

She kept telling me to go home [all of us, actually, and to get something to eat! always a mom] ...and with the lingering continuing, I tried to rebook my flight to Hawaii the following Sunday, so I could cover for the brothers who were needing some time back at their work. But . . . no flights were available this busy, overbooked weekend before Christmas from the midwest. I was either finding a flight on the 14th or 21st of December--and chose the 14th, only one day later than my original return since I needed to get back to grade late projects and the take-home finals, calculate grades, all by the 22nd. But . . . I could return if needed Christmas evening, and the brothers were supportive. Dan arrived again Sunday evening as he'd gone back to Colorado then on to Florida for business meetings. Mia the Friday nurse was straight with us, saying by Monday we'd know more about mom. The dr. told us Monday morning that she had about 24 hrs. give or take a few. He was absolutely correct.

December 14 The brothers were all out of the room for a time this early Tuesday morning and I took the opportunity to really visit with mom, even though she couldn't speak to me then. I told her I was going home as she had asked me to do, that she would be hearing good things in the world to come. I encouraged to let go of ill feelings that might not be accurate. Sometimes we don't know the whole story. Her sisters would want her to feel good about their children when she saw her sisters again. I also told her to go ahead, that if it were one of us 4 kids lying there, she would rather we let go, too. No one had mentioned these to her, that I know of, so maybe they were some other little steps for her. Shortly after the boys came back, the decision to take off the oxygen was suggested. Since she was breathing through her mouth anyway, it was fine. How very interesting the next several minutes . . .

The 4 of us went out to the great room to finalize some funeral arrangements. . . Mike came back from a visit to go back and get something in the room he needed and said mom's eyes were open, and she was hardly breathing. Was she waiting for all of us to be away??? maybe. We did return quickly, though, and it seemed we witnessed her heart stopping. It had hardly been beating that morning. The visual that remains with me is how at peace this was at the end. Her eyes were open, head tilted slightly to the right, and mouth dropped, as if she were seeing Something Wonderful. About 9:25 a.m. The nurse was called back in, told us after using the stethoscope, "Her heart has stopped." I could only wish to look like that when I pass. My last words to her were finally "sleep in heavenly peace." So, her song will always be Silent Night. I truly felt at peace. I felt like mom's life had been extended several times in the past few years, she was such a fighter. I was so grateful to have had the chance to bring all of my family to see her alive in June 2009. That was my plan and it was great then to feel it had come to pass. I felt it might be their last time to see her again. But Erin and Megan saw her in this summer's hospital stay, though, as they passed through Iowa onthe way to Utah.

Now it was indeed time for her final rest, and we all felt that relief for her. She is with dad now. And parents, and siblings, and many others, too. Of course, she is in good hands. His Hands.

After some hugs and expressions, we sprung into coordinated action, packing up and removing items from her room, signing off papers [Mike] and getting things ready for the airport run. An hour later I was seated in the airport, with new arrangements since my plane had been delayed in DM, so all other connections therefore had to be rearranged, too. But a sweet consequence was a helpful Delta agent, Tony G. I was booked through LAX, then would be on first class to Hawaii. Tony had previously had a good experience with Barbara Barrington Jones' New You group, and had stayed at the home of the Duponts here in an emergency layover situation once. He was kind, and nice to visit with. Think I needed that personal touch then, right at that moment.

Talked with cousins I hadn't spoken with in years while at the airport and during the hospital stay. Toni Fuller, Donna McFarling, Judy McNerney. Good to connect with these, also with Pat and of course Ruthie and Mary Ann. Sometimes these sad times are family connecting times. It's a fact.

December 15 It took an overnight in LA to finally get my final plane home. [It was my 32nd plane this year] It was a relief in a way to have a hotel room at the LAX Travel Lodge on Century Blvd. Clean, and spacious, I was able to repack and make that last trip to the airport at least for a while, I hope, more efficiently.

December 16 - 18 Finals and grade calculating, Temple assignment, FHC, tending the boys for Lindsey and John's 9th anniversary, Christmas shopping, and the Honolulu Tabernacle Christmas Concert/pre celebrating our anniversary [Bubba Gumps, and Kua Aina sandwich, too! spending our last 20 dollars cash anniversary gift from mom--our 36th card from her, this time in Mike's signature.] --plopped back into life in its busy-ness, but loved being here, reunited with Bill and family, at peace, and knowing mom was at peace, too.

December 19 - 23 Arrival of the Jack Petersons, shopping for Christmas dinners and other preps, helping Elizabeth Fong find what she needed for BYUH, wrapping presents, making povitica, addressing all the Christmas messages and sending them out. Christmas Night Lights and dinner at the Spaghetti Factory [reservation for 21--WOW!] Making 36 twice-baked potato shells. It was a concentrated Christmas preps time for us, but it all got done. We made our list and checked it twice.

December 24 This preparation day for our favorite night of the year in our house with family who could come and the Wagners. We worked hard...Bill cleaned and set up all day! Prepared toasting wassail, punch, and 16 stuffed birds, cranberries, and the veggie trays. We set the table for 19, but 2 basketball players didn't come. So, 17 in all, but 18 with Mason in his own chair. It was a great night. All went well, though we missed the acting out of the nativity. We need more little kids! Lisa's feel they are too big for that now. Maybe next year. I slept a bit before getting final things ready for Christmas while Megan, Elizabeth, and Bill watched Grinch. Later, we enjoyed a Kenny and Dolly song . . . We then waited up and welcomed Erin home from work and enjoyed being the first to wish her Merry Christmas. She felt it was good to be home. Her first time in 4 years. :)

December 25 Christmas Day It was a great day to wake and play an abbreviated harp carols concert with the tree lights on for Bill. It's one of my favorite things to do every Christmas, and I had done that most early mornings since my return to Hawaii. Enjoyed povitica, thinking of mom not being alone anymore at holiday time. Watched Avery enjoy his presents with his parents, and then got the lunch ready for my whole family! How fun to have them all gathered here on a bright Hawaiian Christmas Day--blue sky, sunshine, green grass. Wonderful time. Avery's jeep was a hit with 5 of these cousins driving around in the big back parkyard. It doesn't get better than this. We are so grateful for a wonderful Christmas Day. Visited the families' homes to see the kids' gifts from Santa and parents. Visited the Wagners home, too. Time for a long winter's nap--but prepared for a Sunday RS lesson first!

Being able to provide for our children and others is what we usually give to each other, that, and >"Knowing you're in love with me is the greatest gift of all." truly, "you make this a Christmas to remember!" Fun to have a husband who gets into the decorating and celebrating, entertaining, --and cleaning, too. Christmas is such a wonderful experience, the favorite among our favorites each year.

This was indeed a season of LOVE. . . and transition, and will always be remembered, cherished as long as I live.