ANNA HAS SOMETHING TO SAY

Our whole family would like thank you for your prayers, and sympathy at this hard time.  I know my Mother is with the Lord.  But, it was shock.  We weren't expecting it.  I am glad that even though she had alzheimer disease and heart disease that she not suffer for years and years.  If, I had a choice, and God makes the decisions, I would rather have her go sooner than have her suffer for many, many years.

It was also hard on Bishop Eli as he and Elmer have been close friends for many years. Being that, Eli, Emma and I have also been close friends.  So, Eli said, it was one of the hardest funerals he had to do.  We know it was hard and thank him for doing it for my Mother and our family.

Elmer and I were discussing it and we have been very lucky to have our four parents as long as we did.  They have seen us grow up, their grandchildren and the start of their great-grandchildren.  How many people live to be our age and married as long as we have been and our parents are with us.  We know of many friends that have lost their parents long before ours.

Also, we have thought that we have lived as long as we had.  We have had our children and now our grandchildren that have come and will be more coming into the world.  It shows our age.  Makes us realize how old we really are.

Of course we thank all our friends - Amish, Old Order Mennonite and Englishers, for all they did after my Mother passed.  Some took care of our farm, our meals, and whatever we needed or wanted. It was so kind of them all.

Over the years our family has seen many people with alzheimer disease.  Back when I was a child, we called it old folks disease.  When my Mother first realized she had it and got over the shock, she sat all of my brothers, sisters, their spouses, Elmer and me down.  She wanted us to know that no matter what she says when this disease effects her mind that she loves us.  If the disease takes over, she might not act that way or maybe we won't feel that way - but she does love us.  All though we should not have pride, she and my Father are proud of all of is.  If a time comes when she does not recognize us, to remember the past good times in our heart - not the way she will be then.  Although she had gotten confused, she still knew who we were.

I also thank Grandfather Albert, Grandmother Olive, Amos and Fanny for coming up from Florida to attend my Mother's funeral.  We also had some of our family and friends come from Pennsylvania, Ohio and other parts of New York.  I know this made many of the people change their plans to come here.

Also, thank Marilyn for taking me to the African Violet Show.  Marilyn called me about something else and just mentioned the show.  I mentioned it to Elmer and the next thing I knew he was calling Marilyn back telling her that I wanted to go.  After they made arrangements, I told him I couldn't go.
Elmer said African Violets were my Mothers favorite flowers and were also my favorite flowers.  She would want me to go.  Also, I would always remember my Mother in my heart, she wouldn't want me home feeling sad over her.

So Saturday we went.  Elmer had to come along as I brought my wheel chair and it fit in the trunk of Marilyn's car.  I could sit and sort of stretch my leg across the back seat.  Think we all had an enjoyable time.  Even brought some more African violets home with me.  Enjoyed talking with other people that enjoyed them, too.

Trust God's Wisdom
Anna