Time Out

Really, time off.

Side bar first, as I sat to write this I decided to check on a couple blogs first.  Got to one and no further as I am sitting here with tears running down my face--I read my son, Sam's blog where he shared his day and his missing of Dwight.  There is a link to his blog on the right.

I have requested a month off from work to get many things done.  A list resides in my mind, I will get it (or them) on paper soon.  Number one is just time alone to process the last two years.  The kidney failure and the life in the nursing home, and lots of hospital stays.

I will finally get to Pennsylvania and order our headstone.  And, if I can find it, visit the Shirey Cemetery.  I sprinkle Dwight's ashes where he requested.  I will visit my family in Falconer, New York.  And lots more, maybe I won't get everything done.....

But I really need some time off---alone.  Maybe a few days at Lake Erie, one of OUR favorites.

Fireworks

Dwight and I have always enjoyed fireworks.  I think the only year we didn't attend was 1976. (I know, of all years!).  He had a weekend  full of concerts so Sam--11 months old, and I spent the weekend with my family in New York. 


But we never missed another year that I can recall.  The first year after he became wheelchair bound, we still went to the fireworks at Eastland Mall in Niles, Oh.  But after moving to Columbus we no longer 'went' to fireworks, but continued a tradition we had started somewhere along the line--we watched the fireworks from Boston, complete with the Boston Pops--one of our favorites.

I was hoping to get to fireworks this year, but I work July 3rd, when Columbus has Red White and Boom--a bit crowded for me. I have heard that Grove City has terrific fireworks at Beluah Park, more small town, my preference, but alas they were Saturday night.  Yeah, I worked.

I was lamenting my poor plight to the Mom of some my favorite teens at Church, hoping for some pity when low and behold I was invited on a date.
It seems this wonderful mother is going to be 'familess' on the 4th.  So she and I are going to attend the celebration together.  I won't mention her name or where we are going cuz we have decided we are going to hold hands and skip through the park together. 

Can't wait.

Times of Tears

To say it has been easy would be a lie.  There have been moments of tears, some I have forced down, some I have allowed.  The time and place of course play alot into it.  Today a friend shared the following song with me, and I allowed the tears, soft and gentle.  This song says it quite well, enjoy, have a tissue handy:


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uMhrA1Lr8I4&sns=fb

Heroes of the Faith

The first time I noticed my husband he was playing Roll Jordan Roll on his trombone at the assembly welcoming freshman and returning students to the campus of, at that time, Eastern Pilgrim College.  He was really rocking it, pushing the limits at a very conservative college.

Throughout our entire courtship and marriage my husband has been involved in some type of music in the Church. Solos, duets, quartets, worship leader....and his trombone.

Since his injury that planted him in the wheelchair we have become owners of many Gaither Homecoming videos.  Often, in the darkness that surrounded Dwight in 2002, I would put one on and the Holy Spirit used the music to lift him up. 

Since he has been at Mill Run I have added to our collection, including Red Rock.  He had written in his notebook a number of songs he wanted for his funeral, (13 in all!!!) including a song called Heroes of the Faith from this DVD.  I was not familiar with song until till tonight.  I must admit this an excellent song for Dwight and I would like to share it with you here...

http://www.youtube.com/embed/OWb3j8EBV0k

 Obit:

Dwight Elliott Shirey, 60, passed May   8, 2012 at Mill Run Gardens and Care Center, where he has been a resident for the past two years.  Dwight and his bride, Susie Thompson Shirey celebrate their 40th anniversary this month.    They have three children, Samuel-Troy E Shirey of Lisbon, OH;  Karin Shirey Henn (Timothy) of Galloway Oh; and Kristen Shirey of Columbus, OH.  He is the proud grandfather of five grandchildren: Isaiah, Isaac and Esther-Faith Henn and Jackson and Aurora Deubner.   He is preceded in death by his parents Ralph C and Lilias Elliott Shirey of Latrobe Pa and his brother, Calvin T Shirey of Salt Lake City, UT.  Dwight graduated from Greater Latrobe Area High School and United Wesleyan College.  Dwight has been active in the Church of the Nazarene for 40 years as Song Evangelist, Minister of Music and an Ordained Elder, Pastoring in Warren Oh.  He is a member of Shepherd Church of the Nazarene, Gahanna Oh. In lieu of flowers, the family has requested giving to the Mount Vernon Nazarene University Music Department Scholarship Fund in Memory of Dwight E Shirey. (800 Martinsburg Rd, Mount Vernon, Oh 43050)

A Memorial Service will be held at Shepherd Church of the Nazarene on May 18, 2012 at 11:00 AM.  (425 South Hamilton Rd.,  Gahanna, OH 43230).

Sleeping

Dwight is sleeping a lot, rarely waking.  It is a pleasure to watch him open his eyes and slightly smile when a staff member stops in and speaks his name. He is definitely well loved here at Mill Run and Gardens.  Staff from the office, nurses, aids, kitchen workers, cleaning ladies and one of the gentlemen from maintenance stop in often.  Some are very sad that Dwight will be leaving us soon.  Those who don't understand the joy and healing he will have in Heaven seem to be having the hardest time.  Sunday he tried to explain it to an aid.  As she says, "He let me have it." 

Thank you to all who are praying for him, myself, the children and grandchildren.  I ask that you especially pray for our precious grandchildren, that they will understand Papa is better and waiting for them.  We have purchased some excellent books to help them.  Randy Alcorn has one called 'Heaven for Kids'.  A kids version of a great book for adults, "Heaven."  It is good reading for all at anytime of your life.

What were they thinking?

Of course no one will own up to being the one responsible, but when I walked to Dwight's room I thought I was in a Swedish sauna.  It was so hot I am surprised my glasses didn't fog up.  'Someone' had turned the heat on full bore, could not get it any higher.  And they had Dwight covered with a sheet and two blankets.  Dwight isn't a fan of blankets so I know he didn't ask for this. He was sweating alot. 

Heat off, blankets off.  Washed his poor face.  Fan on (no A/C--he doesn't like the cold air any longer).  He is still hot, but he isn't eating or drinking much so that could be the cause of that. 

Yesterday he had a great visit with Pastor Tim complete with a Boston cream donut.  They shared many things with each other. Prayed together. What a wonderful friendship they have.  I wanted to leave, felt like an intruder on something special, but Tim wanted me to stay. 

This morning he had a visit from a dear friend of ours, Donna Lewis.  Another dear friend, Pastor Fred called a few days ago. We have made some wonderful friends through the years.  I have received many messages on email and facebook.  Thanks friends, for being friends and praying. I can't put all the names here, but I have you in my heart and mind.

This afternoon Dwight is having some trouble breathing and difficulty conversing, mostly in two or three words.  Not all making sense.  But he still gives me that special  'I love you'  smile.  He still knows how make me feel so cherished.

Honey, I'm Home....Part 2

Many people told me my first part felt like more was to come.  It was, I had be composing part two in my head for a few days.  It was going to focus on my son, Sam and his adventure on the Appalachian Trail.  Hiking it end to end has been a dream of his for years.  One he never let go of.  This spring he arrived in Georgia and started north. I wanted to share the pride I have in him and his adventure.  I was going to add a link to his trail journal.

Then I got a phone call from him.  Shouldn't have.  He had his phone off to safe battery life.  And it was during time he should have been hiking.  But he wasn't.  "Mom, I need to come home.  I broke a bone in my foot. "  Raw emotion full of disappoint flew over the phone.  "Of course Son.  I love you.  I am so sorry."

Sam spent the weekend with us, visiting his sisters, nieces and nephews.  And his Dad.  We didn't know this would be the last visit before a new infection, complications and prayerful decisions would put Dwight on hospice care.

Dwight will soon be leaving us and adding his great voice to the heavenly choir.  He will joyfully meet His Lord and Savior.  I am sure his parents, brother, and grandparents will be called to the Pearly Gates to hear him say,

"I'm Home."