Sitting At The Kitchen Table

Subject: RE: BS: Sitting At The Kitchen Table
From: Ebbie
Date: 10 Oct 06 - 11:40 AM

lol I love the walking with a squint.

Subject: RE: BS: Sitting At The Kitchen Table
From: Jerry Rasmussen
Date: 10 Oct 06 - 12:13 PM

's long as were on this, two of my favorite sayings are in regard to punishing someone. A friend for mine from Oklahoma used to say "What they need is a sound thrashing about the head and ears." That is such a weird statement that I won't even try to break it down, but I knew exactly what he meant. When I got in trouble as a kid, my Father would say to me "If your Mother catches you, she's going to put the wood on you." I can't imagine my Mother ever "putting the wood" on me, but I got the message, anyway. That's what communication is all about, idn't it?

Jerry

Subject: RE: BS: Sitting At The Kitchen Table
From: Tootler
Date: 10 Oct 06 - 07:15 PM

A classic one in some of our inner cities used to be along the lines of;

If I catch you stepping into the road in front of a bus, I'll kill you!

Subject: RE: BS: Sitting At The Kitchen Table
From: Tootler
Date: 10 Oct 06 - 07:27 PM

Had a disappointment today. We had planned to visit the US and had put down our names for a quilters trip to Amish Country in Pennsylvania (my wife is a quilter). We enquired about travel insurance before finally booking and were quoted £1600GB (about $2700US) because of our health problems. I had surgery for bowel cancer earlier this year and my wife has chronic kidney failure. The odd thing was I was considered the greater risk even though I have been pronounced clear and my wife's kidneys could finally give up at any time meaning she would have to go on dialysis.

We decided reluctantly, at that price, (more than the cost of the trip for one of us) we would not go, though we are not ruling it out eventually. We will just have to see how things work out over the next few years.

Subject: RE: BS: Sitting At The Kitchen Table
From: Jerry Rasmussen
Date: 10 Oct 06 - 07:41 PM

I'm so sorry to hear that, Tootler: Sorry more than anything that you and your wife have suffered through such serious health problems. My oldest sister is just back from five weeks in the hospital, having a colostomy. For her, it was a major achievement when she could get up the stairs in her house. Those of us who are blessed with good health should give thanks several times a day. I do.

The first time that I took Ruth out, we didn't get a chocolate milk shake. We went to vist the sick. It's something that has been a central part of our lives these last ten years, and will remain that until we need someone to come and visit us. I'm doing a program at a Health Care Center tomorrow morning, and Ruth is a wonderful part of that, just because she is so sincerely caring.

May you both have a complete healing. If you ever make it over here, Connecticut isn't all that far from Amish country (in U.S. distances, anyway.)

Jerry

Subject: RE: BS: Sitting At The Kitchen Table
From: Elmer Fudd
Date: 10 Oct 06 - 08:44 PM

Hello Tootler,

I'm sorry you can't make the trip. What a woild.

Does your wife know about the Gee's Bend quilters? I recently saw a show of their work in a museum, plus a film about them made by Jane Fonda's daughter, Vanessa Vadim. The quilts are quite unusual, with strong abstract patterns. There are now U.S. postage stamps depicting some of the quilts. The quiltmakers are getting a lot of attention. However, now that they are actually making some money, the women are giving a lot of it to charities.

Gee's Bend Quilts

Elmer

Subject: RE: BS: Sitting At The Kitchen Table
From: billybob
Date: 11 Oct 06 - 11:45 AM

Please put the coffee on, having a really bad day,started badly with our credit card terminal freezing up. everyone pays on plastic so we had to trust all the morning clients to promise to come back and pay tomorrow, that had me running late.... hard to do Aromatherapy in a calm manner when you know the next client is waiting outside the door and getting wound up!
Then we had a huge thunderstorm,all the lights in the salon flickering on and off! Pouring rain, new roof leaks( thats another saga for another day I hate flat roofs)
The manager is on holiday and now I find out she is not treating the junior staff very well, so that will be a bad day when she comes back, I hate confrontation!
Good news my last client of the day is sleeping peacefully after her treatment, you are making me coffee, I have kicked my shoes off, Billy is on his way to pick me up and we are having supper at our best friends house, and tomorrow is another day!
And Scarlett Mae is beautiful, how I love being a new grandmother! Count my blessings
Wendy

Subject: RE: BS: Sitting At The Kitchen Table
From: Tootler
Date: 11 Oct 06 - 07:20 PM

Jerry & Elmer,

Thanks for your kind remarks. I consider myself lucky. My cancer was diagnosed early and the surgeon was able to completely remove it. It had not spread through the bowel wall and I have been pronounced clear. Apart from having to be careful to avoid putting to much strain on my abdominal muscles, I am recovered and feeling better than I have for some years.

We did have some good news today. My wife has had her application to retire early on health grounds approved, so she formally retires at the end of the month. Although she only has seven months before she can retire normally, it is a relief as she will not be under any pressure to return to work and she should also get a small enhancement of her pension.

I looked at the Gee's bend quilt website, they are certainly distinctive in style. I have a feeling I have seen them before so maybe my wife is aware of them. Anyway, I have let her know the link so she can look for herself. Two years ago we went to my Nephew's wedding in Detroit and while we were there visited the Amish Region in Ohio. We enjoyed ourselves there and came home with three Amish made quilts. One bed size for us and two wall hangings for our daughters. They are beautifully made, the workmanship is superb.

Enough rabbitting on for now as it is after midnight and time for bed.

Talking of rabbits, someone has a message for Elmer Fudd - "Er... What's up doc?"

Subject: RE: BS: Sitting At The Kitchen Table
From: GUEST, Ebbie
Date: 11 Oct 06 - 07:55 PM

This month's Smithsonaian Magazine has a pictorial article on Gee's Bend quilts and their creators. Striking.

Subject: RE: BS: Sitting At The Kitchen Table
From: Jerry Rasmussen
Date: 11 Oct 06 - 09:02 PM

I think that I need to put on a fresh pot of coffee. Nice to see so many folks stopping by. I've been busy in the music section with two threads going up there... one of 60's music in the Village and Berkely and the other on the dissapearing American. This thread has nothing to do with "country of origin".

And like the Energizer Bunny, it keeps going, and going.

Alright, The Energizer Bunny is a battery-operated bunny who beats a drum and has become somewhat of an advertising icon over here.

Jerry

Subject: RE: BS: Sitting At The Kitchen Table
From: Elmer Fudd
Date: 12 Oct 06 - 01:20 AM

Where is that wascally wabbit?????? I'm gonna nab him at 1300, just you wait!

Good to hear there's some good news on the horizon, Tootler. Gotta take it where you find it.

I had the opportunity to visit Amish country in Ohio several times, mostly around Winesberg, Berlin and Charm. The Quilter's Collective in Berlin (pronounced BERlin) had some bee-you-tee-full quilts. The area has gotten quite commercial and rather kitschy of late, though.

The Gee's Bend quilts are special because they were made out of necessity. The women couldn't afford blankets, and they made quilts out of scraps because they couldn't afford new cloth to make traditionally patterned quilts with matching fabric. The abstract designs are intuitive. They are quite amazing works of art. In the film you can hear the women singing gospels as they work, so there is music woven into them as well.

Elmer

Subject: RE: BS: Sitting At The Kitchen Table
From: Rapparee
Date: 12 Oct 06 - 09:09 AM

They just restarted the ferry over to Gee's Bend, and there are Gee's Bend quilt stamps on sale at the post office.

My wife has seen the Gee's Bend quilt exhibit a couple of times and has met some of the quilters. If you haven't seen the exhibit, DO SO!!!

Subject: RE: BS: Sitting At The Kitchen Table
From: Jerry Rasmussen
Date: 12 Oct 06 - 11:15 AM

I dunno, Elmer:

Maybe you could take care of the Energizer bunny. Steal the little buggers batteries.

Jerry

Subject: RE: BS: Sitting At The Kitchen Table
From: Elmer Fudd
Date: 12 Oct 06 - 04:24 PM

Oh, dem wabbits.

And if you go chasing rabbits
And you know you're going to fall
Tell 'em a hookah-smoking caterpillar
Has given you the call
Call Alice
When she was just small.

Gillian Welch does a GREAT cover of "White Rabbit," by the way. She brought down a house full of old hippies last winter with it. After a standing ovation, she remarked in a dry voice, "That ain't no hillbilly song."

The thread is drifting, drifting...more caffeine, tout de suite! Waiter, waiter, percolater!

Elmer

Subject: RE: BS: Sitting At The Kitchen Table
From: Jerry Rasmussen
Date: 12 Oct 06 - 06:21 PM

"Packing up, getting ready to go"

That's what Ruth and I will be doing tomorrow morning. We're both too drained to start tonight. We're packing up to go out to Wisconsin, because my Mother is sitting on the curb, waiting for Jesus. Everyone there says that she is slipping fast. We just pray that she can hang on until we get out there, because she asked my sisters to tell me that she wanted to see me one last time. We're leaving Saturday morning, the first flight we could get, practically speaking. I'll have to count on you folks to keep the pot on while we're gone, and remember us during these difficult times.

And Wendy: I mailed the CD to you today..

Jerry

Subject: RE: BS: Sitting At The Kitchen Table
From: Tootler
Date: 12 Oct 06 - 07:20 PM

I wish you a good trip Jerry. I reckon it's one of those journeys you have to make but wish you didn't. I hope you are able to get there in time to see your mother one last time.

On other matters. I gave my wife the Gee's bend link; she recognised some of the quilts as there had been an article on the Gee's Bend quilters in one of the quilt magazines over here.

Here in North East England, there is also a distinctive local tradition. Quilts were often made out of a single piece of material - "whole cloth quilts", or of strips of material sewn together "strippy quilts". In either case they were quilted with a series of traditional designs and patterns which are very much regional in style - often known as Durham quilts. There was a similar tradition in South Wales but the patterns were different. In Durham quilts the patterns are very flowing where the Welsh quilt patterns were more geometric. We have a strippy quilt made by my wife on our bed at the moment, it consists of alternate strips of purple and white materials and the strips are quilted with a series of feathers and whorls. I had a picture of a small wholecloth quilt my wife made but I think it is on a CD somewhere.

By the way, I thought a saw a rabbit eating a carrot disappearing round the corner.

Subject: RE: BS: Sitting At The Kitchen Table
From: Carly
Date: 12 Oct 06 - 07:47 PM

I'll be thinking of you and your family this weekend, Jerry. I do so hope that you have a chance to be with your mom before she leaves.

Carly

Subject: RE: BS: Sitting At The Kitchen Table
From: Elmer Fudd
Date: 12 Oct 06 - 08:32 PM

Thoughts and prayers with you and your family, Jerry. Traveling mercies.

Elmer

Subject: RE: BS: Sitting At The Kitchen Table
From: Ebbie
Date: 12 Oct 06 - 09:05 PM

If you don't get there "in time", Jerry, you'll probably meet her on the way. The best of happy thoughts to both of you.

Subject: RE: BS: Sitting At The Kitchen Table
From: Jerry Rasmussen
Date: 12 Oct 06 - 09:23 PM

Thanks all: My Mother and I may be a thousand miles away, but we are together at the same time, and always will be. I am so pleased that I've been writing family memoirs these last few weeks and sharing them with my Mother. She can't see well enough to read, but she has an angel as her best friend, who has read to her every night. Yesterday, she was listening to the recent CD I did and sent to her. I'm glad that it got there in time for her to hear it. There are a few songs in there that I was sure that she'd enjoy.

As always, songs speak for me. And words to songs I wrote long ago come back as fresh as if they just came to me:

"And when my race here on earth is done
And all of my trials are through
May you praise me for a job well done
May I abide in you

   When I'm weary, Lord, give me rest
   When I'm lost, show me the way
   Cleanse my body, and my soul
   Grant me another day

A couple of days would be greatly appreciated. But not essential.

or..

"Some spend their lives in a search for power
Ignoring treasures time can't devour
All that I ask in my final hour
May my heart find rest in Thee

   And in the darkness, give me the eyes of faith
   In my sorrow, send down your healing grace
   And on my journey, may my path be straight
   May my heart find rest in thee"

Life is preparation, and out of kindness and love, we have been prepared.

and

"He will show comfort to those who mourn"

Thanks for your comforting concern.

Jerry

Subject: RE: BS: Sitting At The Kitchen Table
From: Rapparee
Date: 12 Oct 06 - 09:59 PM

Vaya con Dios, Jerry.

Subject: RE: BS: Sitting At The Kitchen Table
From: Ebbie
Date: 13 Oct 06 - 12:14 AM

{{{{{{HUG}}}}}}}}

Subject: RE: BS: Sitting At The Kitchen Table
From: Ron Davies
Date: 13 Oct 06 - 08:42 PM

Jerry--

Your music and your concern are the best gifts she could hope for from a son--and I'm sure she felt that way.

Subject: RE: BS: Sitting At The Kitchen Table
From: Joe Offer
Date: 13 Oct 06 - 09:16 PM

Well, I guess I'll just sit here at the table for a spell and think about Jerry and wish him well.
-Joe-

Subject: RE: BS: Sitting At The Kitchen Table
From: Jerry Rasmussen
Date: 13 Oct 06 - 09:36 PM

Hey, Joe: Nice to see you drop by. I'm just sitting here doing bills before we leave in the morning so we have heat and electricity when we get back. I still have to finish packing and do a few other things, and we'll be getting up around 2:30 to head off to the airport.

Feeling very peaceful over here.

Jerry

Subject: RE: BS: Sitting At The Kitchen Table
From: Ebbie
Date: 13 Oct 06 - 10:28 PM

Did anyone take note of what Raptor said, over on Mum Esther's thread? He said that his mother is dying of cance of the throat. Raptor lost his wife - last year, was it? - and he must be having a hard time of it.

Subject: RE: BS: Sitting At The Kitchen Table
From: Ebbie
Date: 15 Oct 06 - 02:23 PM

I picture us sitting here, lost in our own thoughts but here nonetheless. rising to put on a fresh pot...

Subject: RE: BS: Sitting At The Kitchen Table
From: Rapparee
Date: 15 Oct 06 - 03:09 PM

Can I sit in the corner, sip, and whimper? Too many good folks passing away these days, too many awful ones still around.

Subject: RE: BS: Sitting At The Kitchen Table
From: Ebbie
Date: 15 Oct 06 - 04:35 PM

I agree with you, Rap. On the other hand, every time I hear of a 'good one', it reassures me that there are a lot more of them around than I feared.

Subject: RE: BS: Sitting At The Kitchen Table
From: billybob
Date: 17 Oct 06 - 11:22 AM

Keeping the coffee on while you are away, Jerry, you and Ruth are in our thoughts.
Thank you for the CD it arrived yesterday and I really enjoyed listening to it.
Wendy

Subject: RE: BS: Sitting At The Kitchen Table
From: Col K
Date: 17 Oct 06 - 06:33 PM

Just sitting here and thinking of friends who are no longer here, knowing that they will be all together now, possibly even thinking of us.
We all have family and friends who are no longer with us in body but I am sure that they are all somewhere in our minds.They can inspire us all if we care to let them.
I give thanks for all my friends both alive and dead, they all help me in many ways and all have had some part in making me what I am today.
All the Best
Colin

Subject: RE: BS: Sitting At The Kitchen Table
From: Elmer Fudd
Date: 17 Oct 06 - 08:50 PM

The coffee doesn't taste quite as good without Jerry around. However, here's a post in the interest of keeping the table set and the pot going for when he gets back. He's going to need some java, or maybe some chicken soup. Lacking anything much in the way of original thinking--or any kind of thinking--at the end of a long day, here are a few quotes about jazz that struck a chord:

Jazz music is an intensified feeling of nonchalance. -- Fancoise Sagan

Don't play what's there, play what's not there. -- Miles Davis

We kept reading about rockets and jets and radar, and you can't play 4/4 music in times like that. -- Max Roach, about bebop

Subject: RE: BS: Sitting At The Kitchen Table
From: billybob
Date: 18 Oct 06 - 05:43 PM

Hi Elmer, your coffee is just as good, however you are right we are all thinking about, and missing, Jerry and Ruth.
Just sitting in the corner and thinking of friends and family no longer here, a good place to sit quietly and reflect, thanks Jerry, this kitchen table is such a good peaceful place,just made chocolate chip cookies...help yourselves!
Wendy

Subject: RE: BS: Sitting At The Kitchen Table
From: GUEST, Ebbie
Date: 18 Oct 06 - 05:50 PM

Yum, Wendy. My turn next time.

Subject: RE: BS: Sitting At The Kitchen Table
From: Tootler
Date: 19 Oct 06 - 10:46 AM

Thanks for the coffee, but I shall have to go. We're off to Belfast in the morning for a wedding on Saturday and will be away until next Thursday.

I'm looking forward to a few days break.

I'm sure you will all be here when I get back, so I will see you then.

Subject: RE: BS: Sitting At The Kitchen Table
From: Ron Davies
Date: 19 Oct 06 - 11:11 PM

Wow--I lovvvvvve freshly baked soft warm chocolate chip cookies!!!!! Haven't had any for quite a while--til now.

Subject: RE: BS: Sitting At The Kitchen Table
From: Elmer Fudd
Date: 20 Oct 06 - 12:24 AM

Chocolate chip--yum, My favorite too.
I'm hitting the road for a week or so as well, but can I pack up a few more of those cookies and a thermos of Joe for the car?

Elmer, with cookie crumbs on my chin

Subject: RE: BS: Sitting At The Kitchen Table
From: Jerry Rasmussen
Date: 21 Oct 06 - 09:55 PM

Got back tonight and am tired.

Mom was cremated, so they didn't have the burial until yesterday afternoon. This morning I woke up and was lying in bed when this came to me:

Love Is not Like A Bicycle

Love is not like a bicycle
You can't sit on it and ride it
It is not of the physical world

Love may be expressed through words
But words are not love

Actions speak louder than words
But actions are not love

Love is not limited by time or space
Love is omnipresent

Love is God, as God is love
In loving, we touch divinity

On friday, October 13th, Mom died
But her love didn't die
Neither did our love for her

True love never dies

Catch you all tomorrow... I'm doing pretty good... had a very hard, but beautiful week.

Thanks for keeping the pot on..

Still Jerry

Subject: RE: BS: Sitting At The Kitchen Table
From: Jerry Rasmussen
Date: 22 Oct 06 - 10:33 PM

Feels good being home. I've enjoyed reading the messages posted during my absence. Now I have a lot of catching up to do... NOMAD is coming up, right around the corner.

Anyone from the table going there? I don't think so, but it sure would be nice to see some of you.

Jerry

Subject: RE: BS: Sitting At The Kitchen Table
From: Jerry Rasmussen
Date: 23 Oct 06 - 08:17 PM

Man! This thread is becoming my personal blog... maybe it's time to let it slip away into the ether.

I went to my first writing class today. I missed last week's class (the first) because I was in Wisconsin for my Mother's funeral. What an interesting collection of people in the class. There's a woman who is doing the geneology of her family: I asked her if she was just doing a family tree, or whether she was doing memoirs. Nope: she's doing a family tree... maybe toss in an anecdote though. There's another woman who is doing a memoir but is not using the real names of anyone in her family, and wants to write like Danielle Steele. Then there's a young man who wants to write an action novel. The other young man isn't sure yet, what he wants to write. The stuff he wrote in the first class and passed around to us was all about how he survived a serious accident, because he is such a party animal, and a sex machine. And he dares anyone to say he's not a man. And then there's me. As strange as the others, I guess.

This should be interesting. Maybe we could collaborate on a joint project.

Anyone else around?

Jerry

Subject: RE: BS: Sitting At The Kitchen Table
From: wysiwyg
Date: 23 Oct 06 - 08:22 PM

Welcome home, Jerry. I know that the unfolding of your recent experience will continue for many weeks. Enjoy those flashes of memory and feeling as they arrive, and as they go along with you into your life as you live it.

~Susan

Subject: RE: BS: Sitting At The Kitchen Table
From: billybob
Date: 23 Oct 06 - 08:49 PM

Hi Jerry, so glad you are back,you are very much in our thoughts. tried to keep the coffee hot but we had a difficalt weekend, my ex husband and father of my two children died this morning, I spent the weekend with my daughter and new grand daughter as she was advised not to travel to be with her father by her doctor, while my son was with his father and today had to make all the arangements.I am so proud of my two children, in very emotional times they have been amazing, keeping step mother's feelings at the forefront, looking after my ex mother in law who is 97 and is deverstated by the loss of her son, but I am so aware that they have lost their father.
We are blessed that Billy has been in their lives for 25 years as the most wonderful stepdad and friend,he has understood their loss of a father and my loss of memories of happy times when I met their father and we had those two beautiful children.
Thank you for this table, please keep the coffee hot!
Wendy

Subject: RE: BS: Sitting At The Kitchen Table
From: jimmyt
Date: 23 Oct 06 - 08:55 PM

Jerry, Jayne and I just got back from England and Scotland and heard the news about your mom. SO very very sorry this has happened. You and Ms Ruth are in our thoughts and prayers. Jayne and I love you both and hope this tough time will pass and you will be OK. I know you will. Jerry, you are the guy who can always make lemonade regardless of the lemons life hands you. You are such an inspiration to not only us, but probably thousands of others that you have touched and continue to day by day. (HOw about this post and it is not even an even hundred?) Seriously, you da man. C ya soon. Jim and Jayne

Subject: RE: BS: Sitting At The Kitchen Table
From: Carly
Date: 23 Oct 06 - 09:00 PM

Welcome back, Jerry. Thank you for your articulation of love. I am glad, and impressed, that you can live it as well as write about it.

We are busy here getting ready for the Getaway. Hopefully we won't have this schedule conflict with NOMAD for too long...When are we going to learn to clone ourselves for such occasions?

Anyone have any hot cocoa? It's geting chilly here in the south, and I feel a strong urge for chocolate coming on....

Carly

Subject: RE: BS: Sitting At The Kitchen Table
From: Jerry Rasmussen
Date: 23 Oct 06 - 09:23 PM

Wow!

A flurry of friends! Good to see you all!

I've spent the evening cleaning my office and I have finally proven that yes, there is a floor! I know my desk is in here, somewhere.
My cousin is coming to visit tomorrow, and I'd like to at least give the illusion that I am well organized. Worse comes to worse, I'll just keep the door to my office closed. It's becoming a mystery room. I like to think that a messy office is the sign of a creative mind. Or at least, that's what I tell myself.

My cousin lives in California, and I've only seen him once (and briefly) since I was a teenager. I've written a song and rememberances about his Father, so it will be fun to share them with him.

Life is good.

How can I keep from typing?

Jerry

Subject: RE: BS: Sitting At The Kitchen Table
From: Rapparee
Date: 23 Oct 06 - 09:36 PM

Hiya, Jerry. How's it going? Take it easy, day by day, from one who knows.

Subject: RE: BS: Sitting At The Kitchen Table
From: Jerry Rasmussen
Date: 23 Oct 06 - 10:47 PM

Thanks for the kind words, Susan. You too, Rap.

I have plenty to be excited about. NOMAD is right around the corner, and I'm especially looking forward to the Church And Street Corner Harmony workshop. Back in the days when I ran a concert series, at one time there were four other series going on within easy driving distance. Now, four of them are gone, and one has cut way back. And funny thing is, as you get older, distances get farther. Same thing happens with hearing: Have you noticed that people don't talk as loud as they used to?

Next year, we're really hoping to make the Getaway. We could do both, as NOMAD is almost withing walking distance of where I live... about ten miles away. If they're on different weekends, we may just do both. What a kick that would be?

Any festivals in Idaho?

Jerry

Subject: RE: BS: Sitting At The Kitchen Table
From: Jerry Rasmussen
Date: 23 Oct 06 - 11:12 PM

I'm so sorry to hear your news, Wendy! I would think that losing a son or daughter could be even harder than losing a parent. My Mother never lost her caring for her children, right up until the last moment. My oldest sister had a colostomy and was in the hospital for close to two months before Mom died. Hospice had predicted that my Mother wouldn't make it through the weekend, about the time that my sister went into the hospital. Mom stuck around. Kept her bags packed, but slid them underneath the bed.

A week ago last Thursday, my sister finally was able to go visit my Mother. She had planned to wait until Saturday, when her visiting health care service was finished, but her daughter stopped by and said, "We're going up to see Grandma!" I don't know who was happier to see the other, my Mother or my sister. That was on a Thursday afternoon. Mom had tried to hang on until she was sure that my sister was in the clear. Friday morning, she died. But not before she managed to utter one word: "Bess." Bess was her closest friend and she lived in the complex where my Mother lived. Mom wanted Bess to be with her when she died so once again, she waited until Bess could get there. When she saw Bess come in the door, she flashed a warm smile, reached up and held Bess's arm, and died.

The night my Mother died, a ceramic angel with inset white bulbs suddenly turned on by itself. No one was near the switch or the chord. They left the angel on and the next day when we got there and went to the room where Mom lived, the angel was still lit. No one wanted to turn it off.

We'll keep you and all of your family in prayer, Wendy.

Jerry & Ruth

Subject: RE: BS: Sitting At The Kitchen Table
From: Ebbie
Date: 24 Oct 06 - 12:45 AM

Lovely, Jerry.

Did I tell you- we too had an unusual experience two years ago when one of my sisters unexpectedly died.

(Right here I put in a long winded essay- which I just now took back out. That's a different story.)

What I wanted to tell you was that at the moment she died I was standing at one side of her bed, holding one of her hands, and my niece held her other hand at the other side of the bed.

The rest of the family were sitting against the wall at the foot of the bed. None of them was closer than 5 feet to the bed.

Suddenly - and I don't know whether it was after her last breath or before - but suddenly it was crowded at the bedside. I was not literally pushed but it felt like I was shouldered away very unceremoniously. All the attention was directed to my sister. I heard nothing, I saw nothing. In fact, for an instant I thought that my family had risen and was crowding us around the bed.

Then 'they' were gone and so was my sister.

Driving home with another sister she said hesitantly, I think I saw Mom just kind of swoop in and gather her up.

That's when I told her what I had perceived.

Subject: RE: BS: Sitting At The Kitchen Table
From: jimmyt
Date: 24 Oct 06 - 04:52 AM

I hate to do this, but 1300!