Betty

By Bill Craig
Betty passed away Monday afternoon.

Her heart stopped and the nurses and docs did CPR and got her back, but after that, she no longer "assisted" the ventilator, and she just wasn't "there" anymore, so decisions had to be made.

Because I am an "in-law", I decided that this was a time for me to "step back", as it were, and let the family handle things from here on out, so I am sitting here by myself "talking" to you.

Wayne (Betty's husband) is going to need someone to be his best buddy, and even though I have been away from the family for 24 years, I will step into that role if he'll have me, and do that.

It's gonna mean I will have to learn how to fish and pilot a motor boat, but I will do that for him (and for myself!) and be there for him.

One more final word: This is a REALITY blog, remember?

That means I am giving you a "glimpse" into my life just as it is at any given moment in time.

In the next few months, days, whatever..... I'll be taking the "net" out from under my "high-wire", and offer some "doors" to you that you may not want to open.

Nothing illegal, I promise, okay?

Just some things that happened of which I'm not too proud.

Right now it's all about Betty, and her sweet way.



In memory of Betty and their cat "Sassy" don't forget to click, please?

The Animal Rescue Site



Thanks

Bill

Comments

Sue said…
So very sorry to hear that Betty passed away. My sincere condolences to you and her family.I know you'll be there for all of them and they are very lucky to have you. Take care.
August 12, 2009 at 6:46 AM
Anonymous said…
Hi B&D,

Just stopping by to say I'm thinking about you and your family.

I found this video in my files and it is an oldie but goodie.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PRoDVxuFFRs&NR=1

Don't know if this one quite fits the bill, but it is very soothing to listen to.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xMN4NBy-gU4&feature=fvw

I'm quite curious as to what your big reveal is going to be, but for now things will be busy with your family affairs.

Take care of you and your family as best I know you will.

Becks
August 13, 2009 at 2:45 AM
Anonymous said…
Hi DAB, don't know why, but something keeps bringing me back to this song.

I know I posted a link to the music video to this above, but I found this one and it is so beautiful, and the music and words strike a spot.

So here is another link to it and the lyrics.

My life is also an emotional wreck right now. So many good things we have to lose and give up. Looking for a peace at the end of the line.

I hope you are making it OK through the tuff stuff.

Take care, Becks

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MuAGBvWX2uQ&feature=related

Here I come to find myself,
catch the tide
Looking for a peace at the end
of the line.
Sometimes I can't help myself,
fever's high
I'm all at sea and so unwise.

I'm so afraid I'll lose your love
as times goes by
But courage is a fire and a
beacon so bright.
The sunset built a memory,
our love sign
And all at sea we come alive.

Will I wash away, turning like a
stone?
I need a place where I belong,
Call a setting sun, to throw
me down a rope
And take me to a place called
home.

I close my eyes, I know you're
there, love of mine
Standing on the shore in a
world I design.
The sunset fires a lonely flare
into the sky
And all at sea we say good
bye.

Will I wash away, turning like a stone?
I need a place where I belong.
Call a setting sun, to throw
me down a rope
And take me to a place called
home.
Looking for a place called
home.
August 13, 2009 at 4:46 PM
Bill Craig said…
Thnks to both of you for your thoughts and caring messages!

The funeral was today, and as you might guess we've all been "through the wringer" emotionally.

Wayne has his three daughters with him at home, and we all thought this might be a good time to give them all some "space".

Some very nice eulogies were given, many nice things remembered, about this lovely lady, and to wrap this all up, I'm going to share some personal encounters I have had with her, and stay tuned for that "spiritual telling" of something that happened which was so wonderful, it made us realize she is still "with us".

A year ago, you would have known me as a very arrogant person, who didn't care much about anything but his patients and the person who was in my life at that time (NOT D.).

Funny what a little brush with one's own mortality can accomplish.

Thanks once again, Sue, Becks, Margaret, John, and everyone who visits this blog.

Becks, I'll get to those tunes in little while and comment. I need some "quiet time" right now. Sorry that YOU'RE having a rough time of it right now as well., but we'll get through it!

Thanks

Bill
August 13, 2009 at 7:03 PM
Bill Craig said…
Dear Becks,

Well my curiosity got the best of me and I just had to follow those two links - songs I had never heard before in my life.

Needless to say, I cried along with everyone else as that elderly gentleman recited the poem "Beyond The Sunset - If You Should Go First", and since it is available for embedding, I's going into the next blog entry.

"Home" I found VERY soothing and relaxing, as you indicated I would.

Thank you for both: You just seem to have a knack for making a song fit a certain situation, and D & I are very grateful for that.

Bill
August 13, 2009 at 7:22 PM
Post a Comment

Popular Posts

Thanks, Suzette!

By Bill Craig
Image
My friend and dementia counsellor Suzette recently wrote a very informative (and flattering) article about the "German Boy" and his upcoming bike ride, and you may see it by clicking the title of this entry. I am very appreciative of her and the GA chapter of the Alzheimer's Association for supporting me, and my ride is dedicated to them, Alzheimer patients and their caregivers as well as the four-footers. Incidentally, D and I were finally able to attend this month's Forget Me Not luncheon (for Alzheimer's patients and their care givers) at South of La Paz Mexican restaurant in Atlanta and I'd like to thank my friend for making this possible. Really , Suzette's so sweet she makes ya wanna roll over and do all kinds of doggy tricks for her! I kid, of course, but I don't think I have ever met a more charismatic person in my life. It was also a pleasure to meet and converse with Kathy Simpson who also works with the Georgia chapter. Kathy and I have e-m
Read more

Skipping Ahead A Bit In The Memoirs

By Bill Craig
Image
This is part of something I wrote on another message board with some editing, okay? -------------------------------------------------------------------------- My very good friend on the Dope, Oakminster , brought this to mind when he shared this in a thread of mine called "Your Favorite Commercials". Okay, I have already mentioned that my American soldier Dad brought me and my German Mom and brother to the US in 1960. At that time, I still spoke with a very heavy German accent and did my best to try to fit in. One of the ways was to "go out" for "Midget Football" and it was my first encounter with who would prove to be an inspiration to me and I am sure many others: Coach Roger Sauls who passed away last year. Coach was very patient with me, teaching me the "ins and outs" of throwing and kicking that strange looking egg-shaped ball! In those days, a lot of little boys went out for it and we all had our heroes on the Villa Rica Wildcats Varsity t
Read more

Alzheimer's Advocacy Forum 2011

By Bill Craig
Image
I have been given a great opportunity and honor from my local Alzheimer's Association and my counsellors Suzette and Kathy, and I wanted to tell y'all about it. It is a chance to be granted a scholarship to attend the Public Policy Forum/Advocacy Action Summit which will be May 15-17 2011 in Washington, DC. It will be a time to become educated about the issues, learn new skills, network with fellow advocates and take our message directly to members of Congress to fight for our legislative agenda and I am honored to have been chosen to have my name submitted for this event. If I am chosen to receive the scholarship, I plan not only to participate in all of the above events, but to serve as a "reporter" and write about what I see and experience there. This will also allow me to put to use my journalistic skills which have been "moth-balled" of late. Quoting from Karen Kauffman's* article, 2010 was a year of optimism for those of us in Alzheimer's Advo
Read more