Biloxi, MS - Beginnings & Endings

Biloxi

 

Jim & I ended up in Biloxi, MS for Thanksgiving. 

 

My mom, dad, sister (Dennise), and brother-in-law had gone to Biloxi for a mini vacation for mom while she was in between chemo treatments.  While they were there mom had emergency surgery for a perforated bowel.  She was not recovering very well, so Jim & I went to be with the family for Thanksgiving as we had originally planned.

 

Mom passed away on Sunday, November 25, 2012 while surrounded by her husband of

61 1/2 years and her five children.

 

Beginnings

My oldest sister Sherry was born in Biloxi while my dad was in the Air Force stationed at Keesler Air Force Base.  Here are pictures of the house they lived in.  Of course it has changed slightly over the years!  Haven't we all??

 

 

Mom was in ICU with visiting hours at 6 am, 9 am, noon, 3 pm, 6 pm, and 9 pm for 1/2 hour only.  In between visits to the hospital Jim & I did some sightseeing around the city.

 

Art Can Change Everything

 

This article was in a local paper - Mississippi Gulf Coast Observer.

 

Here are our own pictures! 

 

Katrina Sculptures

Professional wood sculptor Marlin Miller of Ft Walton Beach, FL saw feathers, fins & beaks in the dead tree trunks left by Hurricane Katrina in August 2005.  The sculptures stretch along US Hwy 90 (Beach Blvd) for 40 miles. 

Jim & I took pictures of the ones that were within walking distance.

 

 

Ohr-O'Keefe Museum of Art

 

 

Other sights of Biloxi

Casinos

The first few days we were in Biloxi Jim & I stayed at the Best Western Hotel.  It was across the street from the Beau Rivage & Hardrock casino/hotels.

 

The last few days we stayed at the Grand Biloxi with Dad, Dennise & Tom.  When Sherry, Alan & Steven got in town they stayed here also.  I cannot say enough good things about the staff at the Grand Casino.  They were so good to dad by providing rooms & meals.

 

Thank you!!

 

 My Family!!

Even though my mom's earthly life may have ended in Biloxi, MS her eternal life began in heaven.  Thank you, Lord, for loving my family & for caring for them.

 

 

 

Bringing an IN Tradition to FL

We are enjoying a Friday night firepit in our Florida backyard.

 

 

Roasting marshmallows while we discuss recent events & events yet to come.

Florida Fall Foliage

This is the view from our back door this fall.

 

I am truly enjoying the Florida fall foliage!!

 

SISTER LAMPS

While I have been "back home again in Indiana" I have made some special memories. 

 

For about three weeks my two sisters & I shared the family home with mom & dad.  All the girls had one of these small lamps on our night stands.  I called them the "sister lamps." 

 

It started out as just a neat thing to do each night.  We turned on our "sister lamps" as we got ready for bed & prepared to help mom with her bedtime snack & getting her ready for bed. 

 

I quickly realized there would never be a time like this again.  My sisters & I will never again be living in the family home with our parents!  That realization was bittersweet. 

 

I started thinking about taking the "sister lamp" home & planning where I would put it in my new home.  I was pleasantly surprised when my sisters shared that they had thought the same thing. 

 

One "sister lamp" is already back home with Sherry in Texas.  Another "sister lamp" is on the way to Florida with Dennise's husband Tom.  My "sister lamp" will be going back to Florida with me next Saturday.

 

Thank you, Lord, for sisters and for memories!

UNIQUE PROPOSAL

I saw this a few days ago when I was walking around Shadyside Lake in Anderson, Indiana.

An Anderson University student was wading in the water and standing up rocks.  When I passed by I stopped to ask him if there was a purpose to what he was doing.  He said, "I'm proposing tonight."

 

Do you think she said YES? 

COMING TO INDIANA

We are coming back to Indiana this week! 

It has been almost one year ago that we moved to Florida.  Jim was about ready to retire & I wanted to be closer to my mom & dad because of their health concerns.

My mom & dad still have a house in Anderson, IN.  They need to clear out the contents & get it ready for sale.  All my brothers & sisters will be in Anderson during the month of September to help mom & dad with this task.  Mom & dad have not been to IN for two years, since my mom was diagnosed with multiple myloma (cancer).  It will be great to see so many relatives & friends while in Indiana, but it will be a sad time also. 

I will really miss the Florida sunshine & warm temperatures!!  I have adapted very quickly to my new environment.

These are a few pictures from our Florida Botanical Garden tour in May.

In Memory of Thor -- Rainbow Bridge

March 30, 2000 - July 19, 2012

Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge.

When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge.
There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together.
There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable.

All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor; those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by.
The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind.

They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent; His eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster.

You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.

Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together....

Author unknown...