Gail returned to teaching in February and it was her intention to take a month off in June to travel to Minnesota for the trip which was cancelled last year because of her accident. Things didn't work out this year, either. We got word that her mother, Joyce, was in ICU (not the first time but this time it was not looking favorable). So we cut our Raglan holiday short and Gail organized everything and flew off to New Ulm.
By the time she arrived Joyce had been moved to a nursing home in Sleepy Eye, a short drive away. Gail was able to visit with Joyce who was alert and determined to go back to her apartment. But the truth was that she was too frail to care for herself. So Gail had the task of convincing her that she needed to be in a rest home. But that never eventuated because on April 30th Gail had a call that her mother was failing rapidly. Gail went straight over and spent the final few hours soothing an uncommunicative Joyce. So she went quietly with Gail by her side. Gail being an only child it was important for both of them to be together at the end.
| The memorial service (photos) was well attended and Gail had a chance to visit with friends and relatives, some for the first time. Thank you to everyone who sent messages of sympathy. In a way it was a blessing for Joyce to end her restricted lifestyle so peacefully. Back in 1991, while I was staying with her, she ended up in hospital and was told then that she had emphysema. In 2002 she ended up in ICU and we flew over to take care of her and to move her from Arizona back to New Ulm where she enjoyed her final years being close to family. Since then it was a series of short stays in the hospital on and off whenever she would get a lung infection. Gail phoned Joyce faithfully every Sunday for many years. Now the conversations will be no more. | |
We joined the Whites at Raglan, a coastal town, over Easter weekend. Perfect weather and a lovely spot which seemed family orientated. Had a good time just hanging out and playing games.
At the pump: 
Ne moved out in Feb, came back in March and moved out again in April. Her room at the first place became needed by the family when a daughter came home. Kind of good, because the next place was better suited for her being a small self-contained unit in a backyard, so she is on her own. It is about an hours drive from Waiuku, so we only see her a couple times a month.
