November

Just for my records:

1) Week 1: Worked like crazy crossing things off my Primary to-do list and prepared to delegate out all my assignments so that I could be at Katie's errand for how ever long she needed (Since my Mom's was starting her radiation and I was the next closest sister, I knew I should be the one to take that role--at the time I made these arrangements, we had no idea how fast Katie would go). That week also included making lists/schedules etc. for those who remained home while I was to be gone. I also squeezed in a little shopping trip on Amazon to purchase Tessa's birthday gifts.

2) Week 2: I went to Katie's. I anticipated a lovely little catch up session on her Disneyland trip and some heart to heart sister chats while we worked on her "things to do before I die" list. I also hoped to clean a little, play with Mary a lot and maybe put some meals in the freezer. Not much of that happened. She was unable to carry on much of a conversation because her medication made her so sleepy and breathing became quite difficult with the slightest movements. My job became keeping her comfortable, answering the door and phone and arranging care for her. I did sneak in a few play sessions with Mary. After I returned home, I spent a lot of the time on the phone keeping updated, managing projects I had started with others(scrapbooks, tribute books etc.) and finalizing care arrangements. Saturday I went to the World Wide Training meeting. (I don't know if that felt so overwhelming because of all the changes or because of what was going on in my personal life. . .either way, it was a bit hard to bear that day.)

3) Week 3: Got the call from Andi reporting that the hospice nurse didn't expect that she would live until the end of the week. (Danna was also there.) Immediately I threw a bag together, made arrangements for my girls and left within 1/2 hour after that phone call. Katie passed away the next morning. Spent that day and the next helping Dennis with things he needed and cared and nurtured those six cute kids. The rest of the week was spent at home writing a funeral talk and making arrangements to be gone an entire week for the funeral and Thanksgiving. Had a little birthday lunch for Tessa--thankfully the shopping got done early. I didn't even have a chance to open the Amazon box until the night before her birthday.

4) Week 4: Worried about the weather. Andi's family and I left early so we could help dress Katie and pull things together for a display table. My family left later that day and got through Malad pass just before they closed it off. (Some of Dennis's siblings weren't as lucky.) The viewing was Tuesday night; funeral Wednesday. People said the service was nice, but I was numb and wasn't able enjoy it. I was a lot more emotional than I expected. Right after the luncheon on Wednesday we headed out on bad roads for Bear Lake---where Tom's family had a cabin reserved for the Thanksgiving weekend. We spent the rest of the week there and got home Saturday. (more about that in another post). Saturday evening we went to a much needed session at the temple.

I also did sharing time every Sunday in November. Busy, busy month! My girls are craving a little normalcy (as am I).