During the prelude yesterday morning in church, when, as is custom there, most people were chatting across pews or visiting in the aisles, I suddenly wanted to dart up to the front, cocoon myself in a cozy blanket, lie under the baby grand, and absorb the vibrations while singing along in my heart: Why should …
Grace Notes #2: “You’ll do fine.”
Every time in the last few months that I voiced apprehension about going on alone, Marv would simply say, "You'll do fine." It's a month today that he passed away around four in the morning on July 25. I cannot describe the last month in any coherent way. But the recurring theme in my head …
Grace Notes #1: Afterward – Trusting God
A Chicago friend sent a photo of this cover from Fourth Presbyterian’s bulletin: I’m in Nouwen’s “trusting” stage. Our Celebration of Life Service for Marv is Saturday at 11am at Westminster Presbyterian. It’s been just twelve days since he passed away. Many family members and friends are coming to town, plus new friends and church …
Marv Roelofs and Apple Sauce
It’s just been a week since Marv took his last breath. I’m grateful for this tribute by my friend Marianna. So many fun memories!
God’s Grace #21: Transition
My husband, Marv, took his last breath around four yesterday morning, Wednesday, July 25, 2018. Even though heavily medicated he seemed to know that he had to get up at his usual time and go somewhere. Spooned behind him on our king-sized bed, my left arm tucked around his side, I suddenly felt the absence …
God’s Grace #20: “Finding Rest”
This devotional today from our former church in Chicago is appropriate as our family strives to be present for Marv during his final days. He’d rather we not “hover” over him, however, and let him mow our daughter’s lawn, water our flowers, work at his computer, and build a cart yet, from a golf cart …
God’s Grace #19: Happiness is…
going back home for the Fourth of July. Marv wanted to go to his hometown of Prinsburg, Minnesota, for their annual holiday celebration. Our son and daughter-in-law made that happen. They flew in over the previous weekend and our son drove us the three hours there, then another three hours the next day further north …
God’s Grace #18: Change
Our situation has changed. Two days ago, I wrote the note below to a closed online group for people who are living with Stage IV Small Cell Lung Cancer. Nearly 100 people have acknowledged that post, many of whom are bravely trying to beat this cancer. I’d like to share that note with you here: I’ve …
God’s Grace #17: On the Go
We took off for Chicago and Michigan on June 4. We were gone eight days, drove 1700 miles, and made 15 stops. I’m getting pretty good at scheduling these marathon trips. Marv drove all but one hour, and we saw many friends and family. I’d warned them ahead of time that this was not Farewell …
God’s Grace #16: Reprieve
We are taking time off from cancer. Not really. But we've been pleasantly distracted with a few-day visit from friends, and while they were here, we visited Pipestone National Monument in Pipestone, MN, about an hour from our home. From the Monument's website: For countless generations, American Indians have quarried the red pipestone found at …
Write Along with Me 