Renee... Update August 9 /10 2007, 130 AM
Today we will lay Renee to rest in Stillwater, Ok. Stillwater is where she and her husband Zack and their dog Bosco made their home. Stillwater is where Renee met Zack, fell in love with him, and made him the happiest man in the world. Today I will have to see and feel the pain that Zack, my dad, Britanie and I have in our hearts.
Earlier today we had a visit with Renee, where she was surrounded by flowers from so many wonderful people, so many flowers that the funeral home ran out of room in the visitation room, and had to begin putting them around the waiting area. The colors were so bright and cheery, so like Renee, who in life was the most caring, kind hearted and bright person I have ever known. I am so fortunate to have had her in my life, as my sister, and as a best friend. Our lives were so intertwined, Leah and her best friends and truly sisters, Zack and I brothers. We could always get together, and it was like we had never been apart. I am going to miss her and her dumb jokes, I am going to miss her and her bright smile, I am going to miss her wonderful hospitality, but mostly I am going to miss her wonderful laugh, the laugh that made me forget my troubles, and see the funny side of life.
Renee I love you, and will miss you. There will always be a hole in my heart and soul where you used to be. I know that you are with me in my memories and in spirit, and are looking down on me from heaven, laughing at me right now, knowing that my tears are watering those memories so that they will grow. I love you so much, and I promise that I will do my best to take care of Zack for you.
Today was a hard day for all of us. We had to leave those that we love, and who need us to go and take care of two other members of our family, Zack and Renee. We flew out of Denver to Oklahoma City, had the usual misadventures with flying, but safely arrived in Stillwater, where we were met by many anxious family members. We hugged a lot, cried a lot, and comforted each other. We went over to the funeral home, where we saw Zack for the first time since the accident. Each of us hugged Zack and his family, and the tears flowed freely. We gave Zack the cookbook that his mom had hand written for Renee with all of her recipes that the two of them loved. Zack asked that it be given back to Renee, and we had taken it upon ourselves to find it, and make sure that this request was fulfilled. It was good for us, as this gave us something to do to help Zack. We cleaned it, dried it as it had been wet, and repaired the emblems on the front.
The visitation was good, lots of hugs, tears, talking and even some laughter. I had the chance to meet Zack and Renee's wonderful friend Mario, who lived, laughed and loved them, and who Renee made sure was always well fed and cared for. We always teased the two of them that Mario was like of like their adopted son, and having had the opportunity to meet Mario, I can see why Renee and Zack made him a part of their family. Mario is strong, loving and compassionate, and is now turning the tables and is caring for Zack. Zack and Mario were going to spend the night at the house that Renee and Zack called home, and hopefully the night will be one filled with peace and healing.
I saw Leah for a short time this morning, and she looked much better. She and I had a chance to talk, and I managed to steal a kiss or two from her before I had to leave. I left her in the capable hands of her father and mother, and I knew she would be fine, as we all know who we really want when we get sick or hurt, and that is our Mom. Leah told me on the phone that she had worked on her walking PT, and had passed with flying colors, so much so that they told her that she did not any longer need walking PT. She did walk down the hall to see my mother, and walked almost 200 feet before she tired and needed to have the wheelchair to spell her a bit. Once she reached the room, she walked over and stood by mom's bed and she and Mom had a conversation. Leah told me that it was an actual conversation, with give and take from both parties, which is a good sign that Mom might be starting to put some of the pieces back together again. Leah stood until she got to hot, and then sat in the wheel chair and talked. Leah also said she did all of her PT for her shoulder and managed to get all 10 repetitions completed of all the exercises. The nurse also told her to get ready to go home soon, but Leah said that she would be sure to wait until I get back.
I talked with Jerry as well, and he said that Mom had a good day today. She had the Occupational therapist in, and the psychologist who was going to help her get her brain back to a more normal state after the concussion. Jerry said that her appetite was good, even to the point of asking for an additional cup of ice cream. He also stated that she and Jerry had an hour long conversation, and that in his opinion she was in the best condition she had been in since we got here.
We just wanted to thank all of you for keeping the encouragement going. Every little bit helps, and all the prayers and the thoughts have to be helping, as we continue to see small little baby steps of improvement, each one a victory.
Jay
Earlier today we had a visit with Renee, where she was surrounded by flowers from so many wonderful people, so many flowers that the funeral home ran out of room in the visitation room, and had to begin putting them around the waiting area. The colors were so bright and cheery, so like Renee, who in life was the most caring, kind hearted and bright person I have ever known. I am so fortunate to have had her in my life, as my sister, and as a best friend. Our lives were so intertwined, Leah and her best friends and truly sisters, Zack and I brothers. We could always get together, and it was like we had never been apart. I am going to miss her and her dumb jokes, I am going to miss her and her bright smile, I am going to miss her wonderful hospitality, but mostly I am going to miss her wonderful laugh, the laugh that made me forget my troubles, and see the funny side of life.
Renee I love you, and will miss you. There will always be a hole in my heart and soul where you used to be. I know that you are with me in my memories and in spirit, and are looking down on me from heaven, laughing at me right now, knowing that my tears are watering those memories so that they will grow. I love you so much, and I promise that I will do my best to take care of Zack for you.
Today was a hard day for all of us. We had to leave those that we love, and who need us to go and take care of two other members of our family, Zack and Renee. We flew out of Denver to Oklahoma City, had the usual misadventures with flying, but safely arrived in Stillwater, where we were met by many anxious family members. We hugged a lot, cried a lot, and comforted each other. We went over to the funeral home, where we saw Zack for the first time since the accident. Each of us hugged Zack and his family, and the tears flowed freely. We gave Zack the cookbook that his mom had hand written for Renee with all of her recipes that the two of them loved. Zack asked that it be given back to Renee, and we had taken it upon ourselves to find it, and make sure that this request was fulfilled. It was good for us, as this gave us something to do to help Zack. We cleaned it, dried it as it had been wet, and repaired the emblems on the front.
The visitation was good, lots of hugs, tears, talking and even some laughter. I had the chance to meet Zack and Renee's wonderful friend Mario, who lived, laughed and loved them, and who Renee made sure was always well fed and cared for. We always teased the two of them that Mario was like of like their adopted son, and having had the opportunity to meet Mario, I can see why Renee and Zack made him a part of their family. Mario is strong, loving and compassionate, and is now turning the tables and is caring for Zack. Zack and Mario were going to spend the night at the house that Renee and Zack called home, and hopefully the night will be one filled with peace and healing.
I saw Leah for a short time this morning, and she looked much better. She and I had a chance to talk, and I managed to steal a kiss or two from her before I had to leave. I left her in the capable hands of her father and mother, and I knew she would be fine, as we all know who we really want when we get sick or hurt, and that is our Mom. Leah told me on the phone that she had worked on her walking PT, and had passed with flying colors, so much so that they told her that she did not any longer need walking PT. She did walk down the hall to see my mother, and walked almost 200 feet before she tired and needed to have the wheelchair to spell her a bit. Once she reached the room, she walked over and stood by mom's bed and she and Mom had a conversation. Leah told me that it was an actual conversation, with give and take from both parties, which is a good sign that Mom might be starting to put some of the pieces back together again. Leah stood until she got to hot, and then sat in the wheel chair and talked. Leah also said she did all of her PT for her shoulder and managed to get all 10 repetitions completed of all the exercises. The nurse also told her to get ready to go home soon, but Leah said that she would be sure to wait until I get back.
I talked with Jerry as well, and he said that Mom had a good day today. She had the Occupational therapist in, and the psychologist who was going to help her get her brain back to a more normal state after the concussion. Jerry said that her appetite was good, even to the point of asking for an additional cup of ice cream. He also stated that she and Jerry had an hour long conversation, and that in his opinion she was in the best condition she had been in since we got here.
We just wanted to thank all of you for keeping the encouragement going. Every little bit helps, and all the prayers and the thoughts have to be helping, as we continue to see small little baby steps of improvement, each one a victory.
Jay
posted by Jay at 1:13 AM
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