Arky51's Blog

How do I say good-bye to the one I love so dearly?

How do I say good-bye to one who did not want to go?

So, I said to her, “Save a place for me at the Master's Table.

And, be assured, I'll see you again in His Day.”

 

MrsArky has gone to be with Jesus.

Her Son and I were at her side when she left.

I have many wonderful memories of her in my heart.

One St. Patrick's Day, as we rode the Honda Magna in Clearwater, a car turned in front of us, and we struck him broadside. We both flew over the car and landed on the paved apron beside Drew. We were bruised and sore for a week, and my lap looked like I had spilled India ink from my navel to my knees, since her weight had pushed me up the teardrop tank. She swore she would never again ride a two wheeler, but when I came home a few years later with an '81 Gold Wing, she rushed to grab her helmet and we were off with laughter. Such indomitable spirit!

In 2002, she had her first bout with congestive heart failure, and during the course of her treatment we were informed that the two major valves in her heart, the Mitral and Tricuspid were regurgitant (leaking backwards). Upon stabilization from the congestive heart failure, she endured the open heart procedure to repair both valves. But, in the course of opening her chest, the emphysema hindered re-inflation of her lungs to leave her with less than 20% of her lung capacity. She has lived with that since.

Now, we come to the end of January: she had another bout with congestive heart failure, which she began to recover from for about six weeks, but finally succumbed to over the past week. Many came to visit her at Woodside Hospice House. She had friends.

I used to tease her about being the Princess and the Pea. I used to tell her that she translated discomfort into pain with her mind. And, it worked. Just to overcome that notion (I was never mean about it), she became a real trooper . . . living and laughing and being the best Wife a man could hope for. Words cannot express how much I will miss her.

An excellent wife, who can find?

For her worth is far above jewels.

The heart of her husband trusts in her,

And he will have no lack of gain.

She does him good and not evil

All the days of her life.

She looks for wool and flax

And works with her hands in delight.

She is like merchant ships;

She brings her food from afar.

She rises also while it is still night

And gives food to her household

And portions to her maidens.

She considers a field and buys it;

From her earnings she plants a vineyard.

She girds herself with strength

And makes her arms strong.

She senses that her gain is good;

Her lamp does not go out at night.

She stretches out her hands to the distaff,

And her hands grasp the spindle.

She extends her hand to the poor,

And she stretches out her hands to the needy.

She is not afraid of the snow for her household,

For all her household are clothed with scarlet.

She makes coverings for herself;

Her clothing is fine linen and purple.

Her husband is known in the gates,

When he sits among the elders of the land.

She makes linen garments and sells them,

And supplies belts to the tradesmen.

Strength and dignity are her clothing,

And she smiles at the future.

She opens her mouth in wisdom,

And the teaching of kindness is on her tongue.

She looks well to the ways of her household,

And does not eat the bread of idleness.

Her children rise up and bless her;

Her husband also, and he praises her, saying:

"Many daughters have done nobly, but you excel them all."

Charm is deceitful and beauty is vain,

But a woman who fears Jehovah God, she shall be praised.

Give her the product of her hands,

And let her works praise her in the gates.

Tell me, how do I say good-bye?