Brendan asked me the other day if I still posted to the blog. I told him that I really didn't feel that we were in Leukemia Land any more, so I really didn't want to post to that blog anymore. He told me that he liked reading the posts, although he didn't read them very often.
We had been talking about whether or not the boys should keep a journal to help them through the feelings associated with Daddy's death. I will admit that I have enjoyed, most of the time, posting to this blog. I have enjoyed being connected to all of you and knowing that you cared enough to follow what was happening to our family. So I have decided to start a new blog. I don't know what all will go into the new blog, but I have given it a name, Keep Calm and Carry On, and an URL:
http://www.keepcalmandcarryon-jlw.blogspot.com/
You are welcome to join us there if you so choose. If not, thank you for sharing our journey to this point. We are sorry that we are embarking on a new, sadder journey without Tim in our lives. We will still need and welcome your love and support. Please keep in touch and keep us in your thoughts and prayers.
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
Memories of Tim
I would like to collect memories and stories of Tim to save for the boys as they grow up. If you have a special memory or story of Tim that you would be willing to share with us, please post it as a comment here or email to me at jnnfrwrd@gmail.com. The boys will not have the opportunity to know Tim as an adult. It is my hope that these collected stories will give them the chance to get to know their dad through your eyes.
Saturday, June 20, 2009
Beautiful Memories
Thank you to everyone that joined the boys and me to say farewell to Tim this past Wednesday and Thursday. Donnellan Funeral Home put together a lovely video with pictures of Tim from childhood until his death. David Sutton, a local professional photographer, gave us permission to use two of the portraits from our recent photo session for Tim's prayer cards. They turned out just beautifully.
I want to say a particular thank you to the parents from Brendan's Cub Scout Den. The scouts from Brendan's den came together in uniform. Thank you so much for that tribute to Tim. We had visitors from both boys' schools, the Cub Scouts, the Boy Scouts, our church and many, many folks from Northwestern. I am sorry that I couldn't spend more time with each of you.
I am grateful beyond measure to everyone at the Sheil Catholic Center who helped make Thursday such a memorable day. I was completely blown away by the music. Angela Stramaglia and all the musicians that gave of their time and talents contributed to an atmosphere that went beyond good prayer (a Fr. Ken saying) to GREAT prayer. My special thanks to Fr. Tom for accepting the tough assignment of incorporating a remembrance of Tim into his homily. He managed to convey so well the many facets of Tim that made him so special. I also want to thank Teresa Corcoran and all the folks that helped her put together the reception after the service. Thank you for providing us with a time and space to share our memories of Tim as well as food to sustain us while we did so. After all, what is a Sheil event without food?
Most of all, however, I want to thank everyone that came to the funeral. I was so touched to see the chapel filled with all those people. Hearing the chapel resound with music as we began to sing the opening song is a memory that I will cherish forever. While the choir was beautiful, it was the full, active and conscious participation (another Fr. Ken saying) of everyone there that made Tim's funeral a moving celebration of his life. In my dark moments, I simply pull up that image in my mind and the memory of all the love and affection shown on that day comfort me.
I want to say a particular thank you to the parents from Brendan's Cub Scout Den. The scouts from Brendan's den came together in uniform. Thank you so much for that tribute to Tim. We had visitors from both boys' schools, the Cub Scouts, the Boy Scouts, our church and many, many folks from Northwestern. I am sorry that I couldn't spend more time with each of you.
I am grateful beyond measure to everyone at the Sheil Catholic Center who helped make Thursday such a memorable day. I was completely blown away by the music. Angela Stramaglia and all the musicians that gave of their time and talents contributed to an atmosphere that went beyond good prayer (a Fr. Ken saying) to GREAT prayer. My special thanks to Fr. Tom for accepting the tough assignment of incorporating a remembrance of Tim into his homily. He managed to convey so well the many facets of Tim that made him so special. I also want to thank Teresa Corcoran and all the folks that helped her put together the reception after the service. Thank you for providing us with a time and space to share our memories of Tim as well as food to sustain us while we did so. After all, what is a Sheil event without food?
Most of all, however, I want to thank everyone that came to the funeral. I was so touched to see the chapel filled with all those people. Hearing the chapel resound with music as we began to sing the opening song is a memory that I will cherish forever. While the choir was beautiful, it was the full, active and conscious participation (another Fr. Ken saying) of everyone there that made Tim's funeral a moving celebration of his life. In my dark moments, I simply pull up that image in my mind and the memory of all the love and affection shown on that day comfort me.
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
Funeral Arrangements
There will be an open-casket visitation Wednesday, June 17, from 3:00pm until 8:00pm at Donnellan Funeral Home, 10045 Skokie Blvd in Skokie. There will be a brief prayer service at the conclusion of visitation lead by Fr. Bob Cary, the downtown Sheil chaplain who visited us often during Tim's final illness.
The funeral will be Thursday, June 18, at 11:00am, at the Sheil Catholic Center, 2110 Sheridan Road in Evanston. Tim's remains are being cremated and will be interred on a later date at a private ceremony. There will be a reception at Sheil following the funeral. Light refreshments will be served. Fr. Tom Franzman will preside assisted by Fr. Ken Simpson.
Information and an on-line guestbook can be viewed at www.donnellanfuneral.com.
The funeral will be Thursday, June 18, at 11:00am, at the Sheil Catholic Center, 2110 Sheridan Road in Evanston. Tim's remains are being cremated and will be interred on a later date at a private ceremony. There will be a reception at Sheil following the funeral. Light refreshments will be served. Fr. Tom Franzman will preside assisted by Fr. Ken Simpson.
Information and an on-line guestbook can be viewed at www.donnellanfuneral.com.
Saturday, June 13, 2009
Gone to God
Tim passed away a little before 1:00pm this afternoon. It was my great good fortune to be present. Tim and I were both blessed by the presence of our friend, Holly. Bless you, Holly, for being there to share that time with me. I will always be grateful for those moments.
Tim's passing was gentle and easy. He was there one minute and gone the next. This day has been long in coming and the struggle to get here has been hard on both Tim and me. I am glad that God smiled on us and gave us a quiet, peaceful end.
Tim's brother Steven and his sister Joyce and her family have been here since Thursday. It has been wonderful to have their presence here at home with the boys and at the hospital with me. Thank you so much.
Tim is at peace at last, which gives me a great sense of peace as well. This is a time of sorrow for us all, but today is a day of joy for me. Tim has gone to God and I rejoice that he no longer suffers.
Funeral arrangements are pending. They are being handled by Donnellan Family Funeral Home in Skokie, http://www.donnellanfuneral.com/.
Tim's passing was gentle and easy. He was there one minute and gone the next. This day has been long in coming and the struggle to get here has been hard on both Tim and me. I am glad that God smiled on us and gave us a quiet, peaceful end.
Tim's brother Steven and his sister Joyce and her family have been here since Thursday. It has been wonderful to have their presence here at home with the boys and at the hospital with me. Thank you so much.
Tim is at peace at last, which gives me a great sense of peace as well. This is a time of sorrow for us all, but today is a day of joy for me. Tim has gone to God and I rejoice that he no longer suffers.
Funeral arrangements are pending. They are being handled by Donnellan Family Funeral Home in Skokie, http://www.donnellanfuneral.com/.
Friday, June 12, 2009
Comfort in a Time of Sorrow
Thank you all for the expressions of sympathy that you have either emailed or left as comments or phoned or expressed in person. I am touched by everyone's care and concern. Thanks to everyone who has provided a sympathetic ear or shoulder or distraction as needed.
Tim is as comfortable as we can make him. He has had a number of visitors today. If you would like to come say goodbye, please feel free to do so. I am in and out depending on other obligations, so don't worry about being in the way. Don't come for Tim, come for yourself. He is not aware of anything that is happening.
Tim is as comfortable as we can make him. He has had a number of visitors today. If you would like to come say goodbye, please feel free to do so. I am in and out depending on other obligations, so don't worry about being in the way. Don't come for Tim, come for yourself. He is not aware of anything that is happening.
Thursday, June 11, 2009
Saying Goodbye
With great sorrow, I must tell you that Tim will not be with us much longer. He has really declined this week. The doctors all agree that he has steadily gotten worse over the last two weeks and is not going to recover. They have tried everything at their disposal. Unfortunately, it was not to be.
We are gradually removing all medications except those needed to keep Tim comfortable. Because of his continued low platelet count, the doctor does not expect Tim to survive even a week without the supportive care he has been receiving. He has been having trouble breathing today and has been running a fever. I have been told that he could go at any time.
I am in the middle of making the many decisions necessary at such a time. I will let you all know about plans for Tim's final farewell when they are set.
Thank you all for your continued prayers and support during this difficult time.
Jennifer
We are gradually removing all medications except those needed to keep Tim comfortable. Because of his continued low platelet count, the doctor does not expect Tim to survive even a week without the supportive care he has been receiving. He has been having trouble breathing today and has been running a fever. I have been told that he could go at any time.
I am in the middle of making the many decisions necessary at such a time. I will let you all know about plans for Tim's final farewell when they are set.
Thank you all for your continued prayers and support during this difficult time.
Jennifer
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