High Noon – 5 February 2008

Hello everybody – there is no easy way to ease into this news:

Through the night I gave Henry morphine every two hours, per instructions, so he never woke up and his breathing was quiet.

At 8 o clock this morning Anne, Allison and I sat by his bed, holding his hand and just gazing at him. About ten after the hour he suddenly opened his eyes, as if startled, looked up, took a breath, and then that was it. So quiet. It took us a few minutes to comprehend what happened. I’ve pleaded with Heavenly Father, asking that at least let Henry go as easily as possible – and He did.

So – here we are. The funeral home people let us keep him about two hours, finally he had to be taken away. Hospice came and carted out of the house the medical equipment. The medicines we have piled in the bathroom are donated to the Good Samaritan Clinic.

The Celebration Service will be 11 am Saturday at Fentress Funeral Home in Fort Smith.

Henry’s wish was to be cremated, and his ashes buried by his parents in Alma.

He will be in a box just large enough for the kids to place memo toes – I expect a certain Yankee fan to pull the final trick on him and put in a Yankee cap!

Have to chuckle here – what can we do? Carry on. Cannot say all the clichés – we’ve been married 48 years, it was a marvelous time. There will be serious adjustment here.

Thank you all for logging in on this website.

This thing has taken on a life of its own – and become a great connecting link.

We are just now leaving for the funeral home – for one last time with this noble man.

When we get better organized will add to this later.

Oh – on more thing – no flowers please.

Henry expressed his wish that if you care to, donations may be sent to St. Jude Children’s Hospital, or the Fort Smith Public Library – he who read a book every other day was most distressed the Library does no have money for new books.