Sick and tired

Not that I'm actually sick, but I am heartsick, I am tired and I am sad.  Yep, that pretty well sums it up. I have to balance that statement with the profound love and support I've gotten from my friends.  For every tear, there's been a phone call or card.  For every sad moment, a ready hug.  People have been so good to me.   It's grace, totally undeserved, but so appreciated.

It is done....

Obituary

Albert Philip Lohr, 82, of Chesterfield, went to be with the Lord on Thursday March 13, 2014. He is survived by his beloved wife of 55 years, Inez Lohr; daughters, Debi Lohr and Donna and her husband Jeff Weinz; sister, Frances Herndon; brothers, Russell, Thomas and Kemper Lohr; grandchildren, Lohryn and Jon Post, Kaitlyn, Gracie, Andrew and Thomas Nelson, Ben, Jake and Olivia Wilbourne, Brian Weinz; Great-grandchildren, Ellie and Hannah Post. The family will receive friends from 2 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m. on Sunday March 16, 2014 at Morrissett Funeral & Cremation Service, 6500 Iron Bridge Rd. (Rte.10). His funeral service will be held 11 a.m. on Monday March 17, 2014 at the funeral home. Philip's graveside service will be held at 11 a.m. on Tuesday March 18, 2014 at Wayne Memorial Park in Goldsboro, NC. In lieu of flowers the family requests donations be made to Elkhardt Baptist Church, 6715 Hull Street Rd., N.Chesterfield, VA 23224.

- See more at: http://www.morrissett.com/obituary/Albert-Philip-Lohr/Chesterfield-VA/1357924#sthash.1Qzq6fCm.dpuf


"I have a friend who has cancer.  He’s in remission. A nurse unaware of his condition was asking a question for his medical record.  “Are you presently ill?”  “Well yes, I have cancer,” he said.  She looked at him and asked, “Are you terminal?” He responded, “Yes, aren’t we all?”  credit:  Max Lucado

FEAR

Debi, I believe God wants you to know...

...that fear is one of the main sources of cruelty. To 

conquer fear is the beginning of wisdom.

Bertrand Russell said that, and he was right.  

Elisabeth Kubler-Ross said, "Fear and guilt are the only  

enemies of man." She was right, too.  

And Franklin Roosevelt famously said,  

"We have nothing to fear 

but fear itself." 

And to all a good night

Christmas 2013 is all but done.  It was a quiet day for the most part spent with Mom & Daddy.  It was bittersweet, but I wouldn't have missed it for the world.  Gracie, Thomas and Andrew were able to go over as well.  Lohryn, Jon, Ellie and Hannah went back to the mountains yesterday.  Kaitlyn had to work (welcome to being a nurse Katy!)  but has gone over tonight.  I am so thankful it was a good day for him. He was able to be up for a little while, and he loved on some oysters:)  He didn't have a whole lot to say, but I caught a few grins and winks when, in times past, he would have had something to say..probably alot to say.  Today, it was actually Daddy who gave the gifts. The gifts of strength, even thought he is so very weak, and faith that has never failed him, even when people and circumstances have.  I know that God must be very proud of his boy and will welcome him home with open arms.

Love you Daddy, Merry Christmas and thank you so much for being a gift to me and the kids this year!

Daddy, Christmas 2013

Mom, Daddy, Gracie, Thomas and Andrew

Of love and loss....

While I'm typing this in the glow of the Christmas Tree, my heart is heavy.  I'm trying really hard to feel "merry & bright". But not so far from my thoughts is the knowledge that as I prepare for the joy of the Christmas season, I am also preparing for what will be daddy's last Christmas on this earth. He is tired.  He's real tired.  He keeps hanging on, for us.He went to the doctor on Tuesday.  His weight is down about 15lbs in the last 6 weeks.  He's nothing but skin and bone, but he's still my daddy.  His laugh is weaker, his eyes are rheumy, his skin is thin. Simply put, he is weak, but he is strong.  He is ready.  That knowledge comforts me immeasurably and scares the heck out of me as well.  I want him to be free, to rest.  It's not unlike waiting for a baby to be born.....you know it's coming, you just don't know when.  The signs are there, and you know it won't be long.  The waiting is tough.  He's worked hard his whole life and he's made a difference in this life of mine. I pray him peace, and comfort and God Speed when he gets to meet his Jesus face to face.  Until then, I will just continue to love....

Of Birthdays and Office Visits

Of birthdays and office visits

 Yesterday was mom's 74th birthday.  Lohryn, Jon and the girls were in town, so we got the requisite picture session at JC Penney's.  From there, we went to the requisite McDonalds lunch.  From there, I left to come home in case Kate called for a pick up from JW where she was doing clinical.  We met at JW for an appointment with Dr May, dad's oncologist.  Things are status quo there.  No real change, mom went there looking for answers that just don't exist as we know it.  There are no timelines, no concrete answers.  Mom really went in with the agenda to "shame" dad into being more active and doing more.

 Dr. May did tell him, and I don't disagree, that the less you do, the less you can do, but he also cautioned that "there's a fine line between nagging and encouraging", so DR. MAY GETS IT!!!  Daddy had a CBC that didn't look too bad; WBCs Ok, H/H a tad low, RBC 3.9. He is awfully pale, but eating well with a 1.9 lb weight loss in a month.  He is going to be rescanned in mid to late September and will follow up with Dr. Young and Dr. May in an alternating schedule.  The office gave mom a pamphlet on hospice when she left along with a copy of his labs and the scheduling for the CT.
Once we were done at the MD, we went back to mom's for dinner.  I made mac and cheese, carrots, bread and brownies for dinner  We ate, had brownies for dessert, the kids got a bath and then Lohryn & Jon were on the road for the mountains...such a busy(good) and confusing week....glad it's over I think!

Wednesday:  We met with Gracie in Lynchburg and had dinner with her for her birthday:).  Thomas went back to Blacksburg with 

her.  It is his hope to get a job there and eventually make a permanent move.  Hopefully, we'll ALL be in the mountains within the next 2-3 yrs:)

Kaitlyn and Gracie

Clearly Kaitlyn

Kaitlyn is my 25 year old nursing student daughter.  She is the second of five kids and has a heart of gold! She is in her last year of nursing school and works in an outpatient pediatric urgent care center.  She LOVES kids!  Her two neices can vouch for that!  When she's not studying, she can be found spending time with her sisters in the mountains of Virginia, or spending time with friends.  She loves going to the movies, the beach, cupcakes and coffee!   Katy is a funny girl and keeps me laughing.  She is honest, loves the Lord and has a true heart for helping others. She is so busy taking care of everyone else, that she sometimes forgets to take care of herself

trying on dresses for her sister's wedding

Katy with baby Hannah

making wedding favors