 | 8/1 - The pain medication continues to do it's job.
Maybe a bit too much. Jeri slept quite a bit during the day. One
thing we did accomplish is to get a family portrait taken. Virginia had
wanted one for years and there was always a reason to delay and yes, one of
the big reasons was me procrastinating. Jeri had wanted to have her own
hair the last time the subject came up. One of Virginia's tennis
teammates is a professional photographer so Virginia retained her to come to
our house for the shoot. She also got a picture of Randi and Jeri
together. We hope they come out good. I'm sure the girls will look
great. The camera is always kind to Randi and Jeri. |
| 8/2 - I was remiss yesterday in not saying how well Jeri
did during the photography session. She was somehow able to shine each
time the shot was made. I don't know how she did it. She obviously
knew how much the picture meant to the rest of us. Today was relatively
quiet. A few visitors. Jeri is mostly resting. |
| 8/3 - Jeri didn't want any visitors today. The
drugs have kept her out of it most of the day. It's been heartbreaking
to witness how rapidly she's declined. |
| 8/4 - Not much to add today. The drugs are keeping
Jeri pretty much out of things. She also turned down chances for
visitors today. I'm starting to wonder if the reason we see her like
this is to make it easier to let go. |
| 8/5 - Jeri was awake and alert for a brief period this
morning. She tried to eat a piece of sausage and biscuit. She
didn't get too much of it down but gave a good effort. She also watched
most of Sleeping Beauty with her sister. The drugs finally took back
over and she reverted to her more suppressed state. One of her former
Jr. High teachers came by for a few minutes today. I'm not sure that
Jeri knew she was here. I would be remiss if I didn't say how much Randi
has done the past few days. She sleeps in the room with Jeri every night
and takes care of Jeri's needs. She's also done anything and everything
during the day. She definitely gets bonus points for giving of herself. |
| 8/6 - Today was a pretty good day as days go. Jeri
surprised me as I was leaving for work at 5:45am this morning. She had
her lamp on and was holding her water glass by herself. She was awake
and alert. She was that way most of the day until tiring out early this
evening. She even ate a bit today. |
| 8/7 - Not much change today. Jeri had a bit of
time where she was awake but also a lot of time to sleep. I think she
needs the rest. It's always hard to tell with the drugs. A certain
physician came by this evening to see how she was doing. He came by as a
friend and neighbor. I won't give his name, otherwise I might ruin his
reputation with his other patients who might was house calls themselves.
Thanks Doc. He's always treated Jeri as someone special. I suspect
he treats all his kids that way because they are his kids, not just patients. |
| 8/8 - Jeri was asleep or out of it most of the day.
The pain medicine is doing it's thing. She's says that she's as
comfortable in that respect as she's been in quite some time. Most of
you have probably figured out by now that there is a lot that's not in these
daily updates. It's getting to be a challenge to find something to
write. Much is left out for the sake of Jeri's dignity and
privacy.......But I'm sure everyone understands. |
| 8/9 - This has not been a good day. Jeri is now
running a bit of a fever and is dehydrated from not drinking water. I
fear that our time with her is almost at an end. |
| 8/10 - Jeri left us early this morning. She went
peacefully in her sleep. Details
of the arrangements for the final leg of the adventure will be posted as they
are completed. Thanks to everyone who has supported Jeri (and us)
through this ordeal. Now all that remains is the final chapter and time
to reflect on Jeri's short life. She's dancing again....... Click
this link for the details on the final
journey in Jeri's Unplanned Adventure. There are still loose ends to
wrap up. We'll post a copy of the family picture that was taken on
August 1. I'll also make a final posting to "I
Need a Stiff Drink," but I need some time to collect myself and my
thoughts. |
| 8/15 - We had Jeri's funeral yesterday in Silverton,
Texas. It was a graveside service at the Silverton Cemetery. She
was laid next to her paternal grandmother. I'm sure that they have
already started catching up on all the things that have happened in the past
few years. We had requested that the casket be opened so that we could
say our last goodbyes. We regret if anyone was offended. It was
for us to say goodbye one final time before giving Jeri up to return to the
earth. We have many "Thank You's" that we'll make in due time.
I'd like to take a few lines here though to thank my two uncles, Judge Edwin
Norris and Reverend Elvin Norris for delivering such a fine service; to Randi
for finding the courage to sing as Jeri wanted (and thereby erasing any dry
eyes that might have been left); to all the family and friends who came
to spend time with us, many of whom drove great distances to be there; my
friends and colleagues who came from Bartlesville and demonstrated that work
is second to family; all the people of Silverton who fed us and comforted us;
to the people of the Methodist Church for hosting our herd for lunch; and to
the mystery person who mowed our grass while we were gone. I saw many
friends and family members who had lost sons and daughters, brothers and
sisters, husbands and wives and have found the courage to continue on and
remain good, solid people and great contributors to life in their homes and
communities. I hope to take inspiration from them to remember the
wonderful things about Jeri and live in a way which will make her proud. |
| 8/18 - The memorial service was held today at the
Prince of Peace Catholic Community
in Houston. (Before anyone asks, Virginia was raised Catholic and I was
raised Baptist. We decided to have the kids follow their Mom.
However, in these extraordinary circumstances, we've somewhat followed both.)
Once again, I was overwhelmed by the numbers of people who turned out for the
service. There were Jeri's school friends, her dance friends, family,
extended family, Phillips friends, Virginia's tennis friends, neighbors and so
many other friends. It was quite a tribute to Jeri and a beautiful
service. I was overwhelmed by the outpouring of love for Jeri.
Once again, Randi sang. This time it was with her friend, Jenny Goetz.
Their duets were very touching. They sang "Amazing Grace" and "His Eye
Is On the Sparrow." The latter is from the movie, "Sister Act 2; Back In
the Habit," and is the one that Jeri especially requested. There were
many moving tributes to Jeri that only reinforced what a special lady she was. |
| 8/19 - We've not yet made closure but are moving on.
Randi headed to Texas A&M today so we're "empty nesters" a lot sooner than we
had planned. That will be quite an adjustment. I go back to work
on Monday and Virginia starts arranging some much needed repairs around the
house from some hail and water damage. An early version of the family
portrait taken on August 1 has been posted as promised.
I've also included the proof of Randi and Jeri together. The family
portrait was wider than my scanner so It's a bit cropped. I'm sure I'll
have a smaller version to scan in a few days. The original is nice.
I've also posted the pictures and photo collages that were made for the
memorial service. The files are pretty large so make sure you've got
lot's of time if you use a dial-up or other slow speed connection. All
are in the Photo Album section. All that's
really left to finish up this writing is the epilogue to the story. I'll
get that done next weekend, if not before. |
