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BS: Giac & Walking Eagle - Updates Please Read
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Subject: BS: Giac & Walking Eagle - Updates From: katlaughing Date: 02 Oct 04 - 11:45 AM Rather than pull up the long and old threads about these two, I thought I'd start a new thread. I am also doing this because it feels as though it is rather vital that as many of us as possible respond to help them both through some very tough times, whatever the outcome. Giac (Mary) is not doing well. She may go in for tests this week and is looking into hospice for the new future. It is too difficult for her, now, to sit at the computer at all and she has a tough time talking on the phone. Her little dog, Emily, is living with friends and seems to be doing really well. Mary is content that she has a good home with them and their three year old daughter. She gets to talk to Emily about once a week. Em knows it is her *mom* on the phone, runs around the house all excited, then comes back to the phone which they put on speaker and then she commences to tell her mama all about the fun she's been having while the three year chimes in. She LOVES getting cards and letters and music, so if at all possible, please send what you can...even just a note that you are thinking of her. She has good friends there, but we all mean a lot to her and knowing we're here for her helps a lot. I will be talking to her, again, in a couple of weeks. If you don't have it, please PM me for her mailing addy as it is a street address and I do not want to put it up in public. _____________________________________________________________________ I haven't actually spoken to Walking Eagle (Julie), yet, as she was asleep when I called. I did speak to one of the nurses. She is not doing well. According to the nurse, she seems to need more and more friends around and the nurse asked me if I lived nearby. I told her about Mudcat and asked if Julie had a way to listen to CDs. She does and the nurse thought cards, letters, and/or music CDs would be very helpful. I am sure of it, as Julie has said so in the past. I am sure Julie is disappointed at still being there as the last time we spoke, a couple of months ago, she was hopeful that I would have to call her at home this next time. Mail may be sent to Julie at: Julie Pennell c/o Brandywine Hall 800 W. Miner Street West Chester, PA 19308 Thanks to you all. luvyakat
-Joe Offer- |
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Subject: RE: BS: Giac & Walking Eagle - Updates From: Catherine Jayne Date: 02 Oct 04 - 12:55 PM Thanks for keeping us updated Kat. Lots of energy and strength hugs coming their way. |
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Subject: RE: BS: Giac & Walking Eagle - Updates Please Read From: Ebbie Date: 02 Oct 04 - 05:09 PM May they feel strength and the peace that emanates from it. Remission is a positive and that's what I wish for them at this time. {[{{{Hugs}}}}} |
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Subject: RE: BS: Giac & Walking Eagle - Updates Please Read From: wysiwyg Date: 02 Oct 04 - 09:33 PM I've asked the prayer chain folks to check out the thread, Kat, as both of them have been in our prayers for some time. Mmario will be tending the prayer chain while I'm away (Tuesday thru the following Weds.). Words fail me this time, but my heart is full. ~Susan |
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Subject: RE: BS: Giac & Walking Eagle - Updates Please Read From: katlaughing Date: 02 Oct 04 - 10:57 PM These were tough phone calls, today. Thanks so much for all of your repsonses, both here and by PM. Ebbie, remission would be wonderful.:-) Khatt, thanks so much. Susan, I feel at a loss for words, too. It's just not fair. kat |
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Subject: RE: BS: Giac & Walking Eagle - Updates Please Read From: katlaughing Date: 03 Oct 04 - 03:02 AM If any of you are more comfortable writing notes to either of them in this thread, please do so. I will send them on to each, separately as they accumulate. Thanks, again, kat |
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Subject: RE: BS: Giac & Walking Eagle - Updates Please Read From: AllisonA(Animaterra) Date: 03 Oct 04 - 07:01 AM Kat, you are so kind to make those phone calls. Please give them my best- light nad love and prayers are going forth for them. Love, Allison |
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Subject: RE: BS: Giac & Walking Eagle - Updates Please Read From: Sandra in Sydney Date: 03 Oct 04 - 09:15 AM Kat, please give Mary my love - more postcards went on their way last week, and a CD will be on its way Tuesday when the post office opens after our holiday weekend. Kat, thanks for your efforts in keeping us informed. I wish them both peace & comfort. sandra |
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Subject: RE: BS: Giac & Walking Eagle - Updates Please Read From: Morticia Date: 03 Oct 04 - 09:18 AM I guessed Mary wasn't doing so well when I didn't hear from her for a while.....I miss her e-mails and photos so much.Please give her my love and tell her how much she is loved and missed here when you next get to talk to her and thank you so much for being our connection to her.Pass on my best wishes to Julie,too.....I don't know her so well but I'm thinking of them both. |
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Subject: RE: BS: Giac & Walking Eagle - Updates Please Read From: Liz the Squeak Date: 03 Oct 04 - 03:37 PM Same here, the posts are sadly missed. Send our love too. LTS |
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Subject: RE: BS: Giac & Walking Eagle - Updates Please Read From: katlaughing Date: 03 Oct 04 - 05:04 PM I will gladly pass your good wishes on, everyone. Thanks so much. BTW, I know that Julie loves hummingbirds...so a card with one, etc. would be certain to cheer her up.:-) luvyakat |
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Subject: RE: BS: Giac & Walking Eagle - Updates Please Read From: Ebbie Date: 03 Oct 04 - 06:54 PM But not the hummingbird from the praying mantis thread, OK? *G* |
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Subject: RE: BS: Giac & Walking Eagle - Updates Please Read From: wysiwyg Date: 25 Oct 04 - 07:26 PM Mary and I just had a very brief phone conversation. She's quite herself, and at home, but in a lot of pain, not up to much talk. She wants you to know she loves you all, and she's gotten a LOT of wonderful cards and beautiful music from Mudcatters, that she has appreciated a lot. I'm not sure what else to say.... I know Kat will probably talk with her again sooner than I'll get back from my trip and she'll update y'all..... I told Mary what a great friend she's been, and in her characteristic way she denied it because she hasn't "done anything" for me-- so I told her it's enough just that she has been herself, and that I would be praying that God guide her where she needs to go.... She didn't ask, but if folks are moved to send anything further, now would be a good time to tell her (in a note or card), if you have not, WHY she has meant so much to you.... the general expression of that makes so little sense to her..... I think she might be able to understand some specific little thing you recall about her, though. I'm so mad at this damn disease I can't think of anything else to say, except to borrow Big Mick's phrase-- God be good to her. ~Susan |
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Subject: RE: BS: Giac & Walking Eagle - Updates Please Read From: katlaughing Date: 25 Oct 04 - 07:37 PM Thank you so much, Susan. I will call her, soon, and send her a card and CD of old cow songs. I just don't have any words right now. luvyakat |
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Subject: RE: BS: Giac & Walking Eagle - Updates Please Read From: Sandra in Sydney Date: 26 Oct 04 - 11:12 AM thanks for the info, Susan. I'll try to write something, but words are not my thing. sandra |
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Subject: RE: BS: Giac & Walking Eagle - Updates Please Read From: Mrrzy Date: 26 Oct 04 - 11:42 AM Ummm - hasn't Walking Eagle already died? Is this dread disease one of the cancers? Sorry, I've been out of touch. My thoughts are with both families, though. |
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Subject: RE: BS: Giac & Walking Eagle - Updates Please Read From: katlaughing Date: 26 Oct 04 - 11:51 AM Yes, Mrrzy. This is the most recent thread about them both, other than the obit one for Julie, which Susan refreshed to let us know how Mary/Giac is doing. Yes, it is that ailment of which you speak. |
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Subject: RE: BS: Giac & Walking Eagle - Updates Please Read From: Liz the Squeak Date: 26 Oct 04 - 07:24 PM Thanks to all those Secret Santas who passed stuff on to both Giac and Eagle. For one, the song has ended with a trumpet call, the other is waiting with the chorus..... I was wondering if we could do the same sort of thing for Jon Freeman in the UK. He's in hospital with a different illness, which, although not fatal in itself, is potentially life threatening. His self esteem and spirits are very low. Would anyone be interested? LTS |
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Subject: RE: BS: Giac & Walking Eagle - Updates Please Read From: Mudlark Date: 27 Oct 04 - 01:00 AM Yes, Liz, I'd be interested. PM me please. |
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Subject: RE: BS: Giac & Walking Eagle - Updates Please Read From: Joybell Date: 27 Oct 04 - 06:27 PM Yes me too, Liz. Thank you for telling us. Joy |
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Subject: RE: BS: Giac & Walking Eagle - Updates Please Read From: katlaughing Date: 29 Oct 04 - 11:57 PM I spoke with Mary/Giac, today. Her voice was weak, dried out from meds, but she was able to talk for quite a few minutes and her mind, I can tell you, is as lively as ever. She's not able to do much because of weakness and loss of energy and she will tell one when she's been on the phone long enough, but said she'd welcome my calling her again, so I will. She told me a little anecdote. Now, I don't remember it exactly and she is a SUPERB storyteller, plus you have to envision it in a gentile, Southern voice, not a drawl so much as a kindly, slower gentle way of speaking, yet not afraid to be loud and boisterous when called for. Anyway...when she first moved to that area about 20-30 years ago, jobs were very scarce, so she watched an 18 month old for a couple who got into the habit of leaving him with her for a whole weekend while they went off and partied. Needless to say he grew to love her, as did his family. He called her "Merkle" which she said is the name she used to call herself when she was little. Anyway, one Saturday, she took him with her to check on his grandparents who weren't feeling well but were still working at the family lumberyard. She told htem she'd be happy to watch the office/store for them. So, she and the little boy, by then about 2 years old, had a good time. His grandma had made him a drum with one of those big, old five pound coffee cans and a plastic lid. He would bang on it with a spoon and just have a good old time. I can't remember how they got on the subject, but he asked her when her birthday was. It was a quite cold day and she said, "Why, it's today." This made him wonder where her presents and cake were. She told him that was just for little kids, that grownups don't need such things and she'd be just fine. She reassured him, though, that he would definitely have plenty of birthday celebrations as he was so young. About that time, she got busy with a customer and asked the little boy to go play quietly while she tended to business. When the customer left, the little boy came back out and said, "Merkle...here's your cake and presents for your birthday!" At which point he paraded up and down, holding that great big coffee can and beating on it, singing a made up song about Merkle's birthday and all. She told him it was the best birthday present she'd ever received. I've not done it justice, but it's a nice little bit to share anyway. I told her about Julie, as she asked. Then I tol dher I hoped that she'd go in the other direction with this challenge. She agreed that's what she'd prefer, but she knows the reality is that will not happen. We talked some more about my grandson whom she adores and whose "potato hole" at the back of his neck I kiss just for "Gramma Mary" and I promised her he would always know about her and she'd be in our hearts forever. This woman, I tell you, is full of Grace. She is able to accept, defy, cajole, be tender, and make a person laugh while she knows her time is short. She is just incredible and I have a deep admiration for her. My only regret is not spending time with her in person. Thanks, Mary. I'll talk with you, soon. luvyakat |
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Subject: RE: BS: Giac & Walking Eagle - Updates Please Read From: Partridge Date: 30 Oct 04 - 04:48 AM Thats a lovely story Kat. I don't know what else to say except I send Mary my love. Pat xx |
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Subject: RE: BS: Giac & Walking Eagle - Updates Please Read From: wysiwyg Date: 08 Nov 04 - 06:26 PM Thanks, Kat. Please let her know I am thinking of her, in Sewanee, TN. ~S~ |
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Subject: RE: BS: Giac & Walking Eagle - Updates Please Read From: Sandra in Sydney Date: 09 Nov 04 - 06:50 AM Kat- I missed your post as I was away that weekend, please pass on my love, too sandra |
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Subject: RE: BS: Giac & Walking Eagle - Updates Please Read From: Mudlark Date: 09 Nov 04 - 09:36 PM Please add my hellos and hugs to Mary when you again talk to her, Kat...I've sent her some cards but want her to know I continue to think of her. Thanks so much for sharing her story with us. |
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Subject: RE: BS: Giac & Walking Eagle - Updates Please Read From: Peace Date: 09 Nov 04 - 09:43 PM I do not know Mary at all, but please pass on my love and tell her she will be in my prayers. |
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Subject: RE: BS: Giac & Walking Eagle - Updates Please Read From: katlaughing Date: 09 Nov 04 - 10:38 PM Thanks, folks. I will be sure to read your comments and well wishes to Mary next time I call and/or send them to her. I have a package going out to her by the weekend, so I may just send them to her, as well. I know she appreciates them. luvyakat |
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Subject: RE: BS: Giac & Walking Eagle - Updates Please Read From: Big Mick Date: 09 Nov 04 - 11:04 PM Good woman ya are, kat. Add my very best to the chorus. And she is in the prayers. Mick |
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Subject: RE: BS: Giac & Walking Eagle - Updates Please Read From: Joe Offer Date: 10 Nov 04 - 12:39 AM Mary, I've enjoyed your gentle goodness over the years, and I'm very sorry that you're sick. My prayers are with you. -Joe Offer- |
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Subject: RE: BS: Giac & Walking Eagle - Updates Please Read From: karen k Date: 10 Nov 04 - 03:30 AM Mary, My thoughts are with you urging you to keep pushing forward. karen |
