25 December 2016 - Merry Christmas

   The week before Christmas started out with Kathleen feeling sick and going home after Sacrament meeting. She had had the flu vaccine so it wasn't suppose to be flu but it felt like it. Stephen had been sick earlier so it may have mutated and passed on.
   Monday she continued to feel sick and she was suppose to work but she called in sick. Bed was the best place for her in her slow recovery.
   Tuesday morning, Kathleen got a call from the Red Hills Rehab facility where Francene was staying. They said that her oxygen levels were low and she probably wouldn't make it through the week. It was a difficult call to receive. More calls were made to all the siblings that would take them. Catherine called Nancy, Larry and Teverly. Kathleen called Ron, Richard and Mayrene and both Cathy and Kathleen tried to get ahold of Leonard, who was working in the Bountiful temple until 9:00. A decision was made here to keep with the original plan and wait until after Christmas to see Francene since Kathleen had seen her less than two weeks previous. Leonard planned on going to see her on Thursday and Catherine and Michael planned to fly to Las Vegas on Thursday and drive the remaining way to St. George. Ron was not able to go at all since his health/weight prevented him from travel and any stairs. Richard had plans until after Christmas as did Larry and Teverly. Kathleen spoke to Wayne and he was to let Mayrene know what was happening.
   Wednesday was lost in Christmas preparations and Stephen having meetings. Samuel took a plate of cookies to YM so they could divide them with other cookies and pass them out to people in the ward. After the activity they all went to Pres. Stroud's home to watch the BYU football game. Thankfully BYU beat Wyoming so it was a positive end of the day.
   Thursday morning Sarah called from the Care Center where Francene was. Sarah and Michael were on their way back from Disneyland, where they had been taken by his boss as a bonus for the company where Michael works. She was very upset and stated that she had tried to speak with the Hospice nurse who was taking care of Francene and she felt that she was rude. Sarah was startled at the condition Francene was in because she had just seen her on Sunday but she didn't try to wake her up from a nap.

   Thursday evening Rebekah had a piano recital for her students. While driving to the recital with Stephen and Samuel, Kathleen got a call from Leonard. He had just gotten to the Care Center to visit Francene. He was pretty upset. He said Francene's breathing was fast and shallow, then it slowed down. He asked Kathleen if she wanted to talk to Francene. Of course, she did, so he put her on speaker phone. There was no two-way conversation but Kathleen told Francene that it was alright to go to the Light. She wanted Francene to say Hi to Mom and Dad and to give Nathan and Danielle a kiss and a hug. It was a difficult conversation. After saying goodbyes the car was parked at the church where the recital was and Kathleen was ready to get out of the car when the phone rang again. Leonard was crying and said that Francene had passed away. Helena said that it was about one minute after we had hung up from the last conversation. Francene had just stopped breathing and was gone. Michael and Catherine hadn't made it to Las Vegas yet but they came in later that night. Both Leonard and Catherine took care of funeral arrangements, flowers, obituaries, programs, etc.
   Friday was the last day that Kathleen had to prepare for Christmas. She had to deliver a package to Sheryl Sprague and wish her a Merry Christmas as a visiting teacher. Also our Home Teachers came by and delivered cookies, too. There were some last minute items to purchase and all the wrapping had to be done, but with only 4 people sharing Christmas day there wasn't a lot of presents to be wrapped. Stephen was out and about with his activities and Samuel had a date with friends going to the movie. He saw Rogue One and liked it. Not everyone did.
   Saturday, Kathleen went to the hospital for her shift on Christmas Eve. It wasn't super busy and she had 3 couplets to care for all of whom wanted to go home. By the time she got home there was just small things left to do. We gave Vinay his gifts that evening since he wasn't going to spend Christmas day with us. Wrapping gifts and taking them over to Rebekah's home. Reading the Nativity story was part of the tradition that was kept. There was no dressing up since the costumes were in Texas for the kids there to share for their advent. It was a quiet evening and Rebekah had a nice tree lit up with lights and lots of decorations. It was so nice to visit in her home.

Stockings to open on Christmas

Dressed for church with a stocking full of goodies.

   Sunday was Christmas! The Sabbath makes Christmas special. Everyone awoke a little late but were dressed by the time Rebekah came by at 9:00 to open stockings. She had to be a the church to practice a song with two other people by 9:30 so it was a quick visit before everyone jumped into the car and drove to the church. Samuel and Kathleen sat in the choir seats with Rebekah at the piano and Stephen in the front as part of the Stake Presidency. There was a large congregation, more than usual since the Young Adult ward was not meeting that day. There was only Sacrament meeting which lasted a little longer than usual. The choir had 4 numbers, one with the primary children and one with the congregation. There were also two other numbers. A piano solo by Br. Woodhouse and a mother/son (10 yr old) cello and violin duet by the Warner's that Rebekah accompanied without any practice. It was very beautiful. The bishop spoke also which made everything last longer. After the meeting and the visiting after of people home for the holidays, there was a stop to deliver a birthday gift to Kappy since Christmas is her birthday. After the delivery the family went to Brian and  Ruth's home (after finding the church empty of their presence) for Christmas breakfast. The scrambled eggs and bacon along with grapefruit, kiwi, Orange juice, cranberry juice, eggnog made a delicious beginning followed by Cinnamon rolls for dessert. What a lovely treat! The best part was when Kathleen found out she didn't have to go to work that day. What a wonderful Christmas present. Michelle and Alberto were there with their little girl, Lilah, and Daniel and Shawn were their with their little girl, Adeline. Shawn's parents were also there. It was a large group and plenty of food.

Rebekah dressed for Christmas.

Michelle showing her baby bump.

After the clean-up and conversation, the gifts had to be opened so Stephen and his family left and headed back to Rebekah's home. There were some  nice surprises for everyone. A phone for Rebekah, a massage package for Kathleen along with a beautiful Birthday remembrance board, Samuel got lots of Nike stuff and Stephen got the clamps he wanted and the Surface Pro 4 that he needed, along with other small items.

Before the gifts with open at Rebekah's house.

So Grandma can practice and maybe beat Andrew and Emeri.

After the last gifts were opened everyone piled into the car again to go to the Kozy home where a dinner invitation had been made. The prime rib was cooked to perfection and there was dressing, mashed potatoes with gravy, green bean casserole and salad. Drinks were from a variety of sparkling ciders. Melissa and Jordan were there to celebrate Christmas and David expressed the finer techniques of cooking meat. It was fun and they wouldn't let us help with the clean up. It was a lovely evening and a very Merry Christmas.