What a weekend this is becoming! It is Memorial Day weekend 2010 and we are having a memorial service for James G. tomorrow. We have just finalized the plans for it and all that is left is to do it. We have really enjoyed walking down memory lane while planning his memorial. It thrills me to know that our children, grandchildren, sons-in-law, sisters and brothers-in-laws , and friends each have their own unique Gravy stories. My sweet, UPS man was quite the character!
Lord, how he is missed already!
Please be in prayer for us as we say our final public farewells to James Lloyd Gravenmier.
Remember all those wonderful men and women who died representing our country so that we might enjoy the freedoms that we have today. We salute you!
God's blessings on the Sabbath,
Cathy
Saturday, May 29, 2010
Friday, May 28, 2010
Angels Wings Aflutter
Thursday Night, May 27, 2010 at 10:10p.m, Heaven received its newest "angel in training". James Lloyd Gravenmier passed away peacefully-- surrounded by "his girls".
Cancer may have been the victor over his body, but God prevailed over his heart, mind, and soul.
We mourn his passing, but rejoice in his victory. He would not want us to grieve his passing, but would want us to keep on, keeping on. God will guide us in our grieve and open our eyes to the future when we shall once again be reunited.
"SMILE"! The 'big man' may be watching.
God's blessings,
Cathy
Cancer may have been the victor over his body, but God prevailed over his heart, mind, and soul.
We mourn his passing, but rejoice in his victory. He would not want us to grieve his passing, but would want us to keep on, keeping on. God will guide us in our grieve and open our eyes to the future when we shall once again be reunited.
"SMILE"! The 'big man' may be watching.
God's blessings,
Cathy
Friday, May 21, 2010
Finally Friday
"Finally Friday" are two words that are cherished by the working folk. When you are not working, sometimes the days melt into themselves. For those of us who are a bit challenged in identifying what day this is, it is easy to tell when Friday rolls around again. Most people that you meet at the grocery or Wal Mart smile tiredly or with "way too much spirit"on Friday (depending on their planned activities for the weekend). The weather man predicts rain, and it usually does on Friday. Kids bounce out of bed on Friday in anticipation of the weekend and NO SCHOOL. There is absolutely nothing worth watching on TV on Friday. Don't you just love FRIDAYS?!?!
I knew that James Gravenmier had "spunk", spirit, and hard-headedness, but he amazes me these days. When he should already be my "personal angel", he continues to meet each day with his hard-headed drive to meet each challenge with determination and spirit. His body is shutting down, but his mind doesn't know it yet. His sense of humor is still "classic Gravy" with his impish smile to let you know he is being deliberate.
God continues to bless us with "quality".
Enjoy this weekend.
Count your blessings,
Cathy
I knew that James Gravenmier had "spunk", spirit, and hard-headedness, but he amazes me these days. When he should already be my "personal angel", he continues to meet each day with his hard-headed drive to meet each challenge with determination and spirit. His body is shutting down, but his mind doesn't know it yet. His sense of humor is still "classic Gravy" with his impish smile to let you know he is being deliberate.
God continues to bless us with "quality".
Enjoy this weekend.
Count your blessings,
Cathy
Sunday, May 16, 2010
Sunday in May
"April showers bring May flowers. May floods wash the soil from the May flowers and they wither or die!"
This is probably not the best day to blog, since my mood seems to be matching the gray skies and soggy clouds outside.
James' days are quite numbered, but he continues to have his "Gravy" personality and his unique sense of humor. There is one odd thing. He has a hearing loss, due to way too many trips in that "Big Mac". However, with increased suffering, his hearing has intensified and become his most keen sense. There is just no whispering around him any more. As he told Kate, "It is not polite to whisper." His bionic ears are listening!
We continue to try to make his suffering bearable, and relish the time that we have together.
May God offer him peace.
God's blessings on this Sabbath,
Cathy
This is probably not the best day to blog, since my mood seems to be matching the gray skies and soggy clouds outside.
James' days are quite numbered, but he continues to have his "Gravy" personality and his unique sense of humor. There is one odd thing. He has a hearing loss, due to way too many trips in that "Big Mac". However, with increased suffering, his hearing has intensified and become his most keen sense. There is just no whispering around him any more. As he told Kate, "It is not polite to whisper." His bionic ears are listening!
We continue to try to make his suffering bearable, and relish the time that we have together.
May God offer him peace.
God's blessings on this Sabbath,
Cathy
Wednesday, May 12, 2010
Hump Day Once Again
The days seem to be melting into themselves, and once again it is Wednesday.
Our last few days have been rather difficult. All things that could go wrong are beginning to take a tole on James. However, with the pain and suffering come the good things. We have had a chance to spend quality time with family and friends. It is amazing what can be taken care of when you "cut to the chase"-when you get rid of the "stuff" and just concentrate on the essence.
There is a quote that I have heard all my life. "When the going gets tough, the tough get going." As I told a dear friend the other day, "However, your tough is only as strong as your Faith, Family, and Friends. We have been truly blessed with tough in our lifetimes."
Thanking you, God, for our abundant blessings.
Continue to lift Mr. G. up in prayers as the condition intensifies, and us as we try to attend to his comfort.
Holding more tightly to HIS hem,
Cathy
Our last few days have been rather difficult. All things that could go wrong are beginning to take a tole on James. However, with the pain and suffering come the good things. We have had a chance to spend quality time with family and friends. It is amazing what can be taken care of when you "cut to the chase"-when you get rid of the "stuff" and just concentrate on the essence.
There is a quote that I have heard all my life. "When the going gets tough, the tough get going." As I told a dear friend the other day, "However, your tough is only as strong as your Faith, Family, and Friends. We have been truly blessed with tough in our lifetimes."
Thanking you, God, for our abundant blessings.
Continue to lift Mr. G. up in prayers as the condition intensifies, and us as we try to attend to his comfort.
Holding more tightly to HIS hem,
Cathy
Sunday, May 9, 2010
Mother's Day 2010
Happy Mother's Day to one and all. James and I talked about this several years ago and the same conversation came up Friday night. We each were fortunate enough to have had our moms until we were adults. Yet even if we hadn't, there were so many wonderful women that passed through our lives and had profound impacts on us. These ladies weren't our moms, but they had the wisdom, love, support, and giving spirit that our moms did. Mother's Day should be a celebration of "Wonderful Women Day", shouldn't it? Be sure you include these women in your salutations today, too.
Mr. G. has had a rather rough weekend. It is difficult to watch as he tries to do things that he knows how to do, but struggles to remember how to do them. Or, it is difficult to watch as he struggles to have the energy to do menial tasks. However, the light still shines through him. He still tries so hard to live life to the fullest. He still has his sense of humor most of the time.
He told me Saturday morning, "Cathy, you didn't sign on for this in 1971."
"My only reply was "Yes, I did. I vowed for richer or poorer, in sickness and in health."
Quoting from The Blind Side, "Well, allright then!"
May God's Light shine on all today and everyday,
Cathy
Mr. G. has had a rather rough weekend. It is difficult to watch as he tries to do things that he knows how to do, but struggles to remember how to do them. Or, it is difficult to watch as he struggles to have the energy to do menial tasks. However, the light still shines through him. He still tries so hard to live life to the fullest. He still has his sense of humor most of the time.
He told me Saturday morning, "Cathy, you didn't sign on for this in 1971."
"My only reply was "Yes, I did. I vowed for richer or poorer, in sickness and in health."
Quoting from The Blind Side, "Well, allright then!"
May God's Light shine on all today and everyday,
Cathy
Friday, May 7, 2010
Strawberry Time in Tennessee
This is one of those times when I am glad that my children are grown or can drive. I don't feel the pressure to go to the Strawberry Festival. I enjoyed it most years, but some years it was more of a chore than a pleasure. By the time that we got settled it was time to get out refreshments or have the arguments over buying souvenirs. THOSE WERE THE DAYS!
James, Kate, and I had planned on leaving yesterday for Redbird Mission in Beverly, Kentucky, but he was just not up to the trip. My sweet warrior is losing his battle a little more each day. His appetite is just not very good. His eyesight is worsening. His balance is touch and go. The headaches are "killers"! God bless him in his time of pain.
He had wanted to take me to see this "special place" of his, but it just might not happen.
Please pray for his comfort and our strength as we move into this difficult time in our lives.
Thank the Lord for our many, many blessings.
May God's love and support surround you,
Cathy
James, Kate, and I had planned on leaving yesterday for Redbird Mission in Beverly, Kentucky, but he was just not up to the trip. My sweet warrior is losing his battle a little more each day. His appetite is just not very good. His eyesight is worsening. His balance is touch and go. The headaches are "killers"! God bless him in his time of pain.
He had wanted to take me to see this "special place" of his, but it just might not happen.
Please pray for his comfort and our strength as we move into this difficult time in our lives.
Thank the Lord for our many, many blessings.
May God's love and support surround you,
Cathy
Monday, May 3, 2010
At Last, Monday
With Monday arriving, the threat of more rain ends until Friday. Yahoo! Wasn't this weekend just the wildest and scariest? Our prayers go out to those that lost family members, were displaced from their homes, and those who have been stranded in vehicles or cities other than safely at their homes. Hopefully, today the water will settle down and help us to restore normalcy.
Yesterday was not a good day for James G. He had one of those killer headaches for most of the day. Therefore, he spent most of it not knowing what was going on. I cleaned house-complete with vacuuming and other such noisy appliances- and he never flinched. Thank goodness we have pain management options for him on these days.
Since Brother Dan was stranded in Bradford at his farm; since they were using our church for a shelter; and for the safety of most of our congregation, we did not have church services yesterday. It made the whole day seem like Saturday or Friday or something other than Sunday.
It was nice to see the sunshine (outside and inside the house) this morning. James woke up smiling and feeling so much better. A day of rest is always "good for what ails you".
Enjoy today-even though it is MONDAY, all day.
God's blessings abound,
Cathy
Yesterday was not a good day for James G. He had one of those killer headaches for most of the day. Therefore, he spent most of it not knowing what was going on. I cleaned house-complete with vacuuming and other such noisy appliances- and he never flinched. Thank goodness we have pain management options for him on these days.
Since Brother Dan was stranded in Bradford at his farm; since they were using our church for a shelter; and for the safety of most of our congregation, we did not have church services yesterday. It made the whole day seem like Saturday or Friday or something other than Sunday.
It was nice to see the sunshine (outside and inside the house) this morning. James woke up smiling and feeling so much better. A day of rest is always "good for what ails you".
Enjoy today-even though it is MONDAY, all day.
God's blessings abound,
Cathy
Saturday, May 1, 2010
Swim!!!!!!
If you don't know how to swim, you might be in trouble. If you don't have a boat or know Noah, you might be in trouble. If you don't know how to surf, you might be in trouble. If you haven't watered your yard lately, this might be your lucky day/weekend. If you haven't had your bath today, you are in luck-and there will not be a sewer charge. Who opened the dam?
We went with some members of our Sunday School class to Memphis to Temple Israel. Wow! Awesome! The Temple is gorgeous, and steeped in history. The congregation and rabbi were so friendly and helpful. We had a wonderful time and learned alot. It is always nice to be informed about sister religions/churches.
Just a suggestion, you might want to call ahead to the Barbque Places in Memphis if you want barbque on a Friday night during Memphis in May. We went to one restaurant and they ran out of pork at 8:00 last night. The second place that we went ran out of baked potatoes. Not to worry, we managed to find a bbque place to eat. We did not go away hungry.
Mr. G. did pretty well (thanks to some wonderful, caring friends). He did come home with a headache and aching back. He really enjoyed the trip despite the issues.
Since the skies continue to empty, we are enjoying a lazy Saturday watching the satellite search for a signal. Oh well, there are many good books for me to read, naps to take, work to do.....Forget that last one, I will definitely find something to do that is more fun than toilets.
Thank you Lord for your water (the essence of all life).
May God bless you.
CAthy
We went with some members of our Sunday School class to Memphis to Temple Israel. Wow! Awesome! The Temple is gorgeous, and steeped in history. The congregation and rabbi were so friendly and helpful. We had a wonderful time and learned alot. It is always nice to be informed about sister religions/churches.
Just a suggestion, you might want to call ahead to the Barbque Places in Memphis if you want barbque on a Friday night during Memphis in May. We went to one restaurant and they ran out of pork at 8:00 last night. The second place that we went ran out of baked potatoes. Not to worry, we managed to find a bbque place to eat. We did not go away hungry.
Mr. G. did pretty well (thanks to some wonderful, caring friends). He did come home with a headache and aching back. He really enjoyed the trip despite the issues.
Since the skies continue to empty, we are enjoying a lazy Saturday watching the satellite search for a signal. Oh well, there are many good books for me to read, naps to take, work to do.....Forget that last one, I will definitely find something to do that is more fun than toilets.
Thank you Lord for your water (the essence of all life).
May God bless you.
CAthy
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