Wednesday, 27 November 2013
Thanksgiving Medley
Thursday, 21 November 2013
Mom's Funeral
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 21, 2013
Mom's Funeral
My nephew Ronny |
Today, my sisters and I attended the funeral services for our mother. It's difficult to describe how I felt. I was drawn closer to her by listening to her cousin, Mary Joyce, speak of mom's earlier years when she was a young girl and teenager. Mom never talked much about those days, so it was nice to hear and learn about her life's fun, happy side. All is Holy in the house of God, and I was trying my hardest to feel heaven there.
Linda, Myself, and Dottie (Linda's mom) |
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Linda is one of my besties- I love her. |
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Susan and Ron Lundberg (mom's closest friends) |
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Jenny--I love you |
November 20, 2013, Wednesday
As I post this, Eric and I are in Mexico, spending some time at our condominium. He needed to fix our freezer (well, I say him, but those of you who know my "Tim, the tool man" knows he will hire someone to fix it.) He wanted me to come last week and was leaving for Mexico on the day he got the text from me saying my mother had passed. This week he has been begging me to come with him, and I have not wanted to go, mostly because I think some of those depression and unresolved issues are unsettling. Eric knows me so well. He knew if I stayed home, I would lay around and try to figure out the whys. Then became depressed and anxious, so I'm glad I came with him.
Being here draws me closer to Heavenly Father. I can sit on the sand, watch the ocean waves come gently in and out and see the hand of the Lord pick me up and keep me from getting carried away in those waves. Honestly, I have so many emotions stirring up inside of me. Although what I am saying is entirely from my heart, and I am being true to myself, I know it will confuse some people.
I want to remember and write some of my fond memories of mom. Our kitchen was always our gathering place, and I loved sitting, watching, and learning from her. There were 3 things I remember distinctly about my mom during Christmas--she always made Red Velvet Cake and sprinkled the green and red sparkles to top it off. She also taught me how to make her Cranberry Meatballs, a Christmas Eve Tradition in our home. Lastly, she made cheese balls and gave them to friends and anyone she knew who needed a little boost during the holidays. Eric and I still carry on this tradition, so if you get a cheese ball during the holiday month, it's because our family loves you--DON"T THROW IT AWAY. Mom grew her own small cucumbers and taught me how to pickle them. I loved her homegrown pickles. I went to a girls' camp every year, and she was there. It was comforting to have my mom with us at Camp Lo Mia; all the girls in the Stake loved her. I wanted to be just like that. I wanted to work in Young Women's like she did, go to girl's camp like she did, and enjoy all the blessings from serving in YW. I have not had an opportunity to serve in the YW program for more than 6 months, but I was able to be our ward camp director for several years. I also remember my mom giving me the first compliment I can remember. She said, "Monya, you can get upset or mad, spit it out, then let it go; I like that about you" When Elvis Presley died, I was mowing the lawn and remember coming into the house to get a drink of water, she was crying, she really loved music, that is probably why I love music so much. I'll never forget telling my mother over the phone that my brother had died; she was heartbroken; she screamed "No, no" repeatedly and then threw the phone.
Mom is with Lance now. |
Beautiful Casket |
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Greg dedicated the grave. |
When my brother Lance died, I felt so guilty for not doing more to help him; it was a heavy burden I was carrying; I knelt and prayed one night for comfort and peace to fill my soul, for the Lord to let me know Lance was OK. That night as I knelt waiting for an answer, I felt my brother's hand on mine, and his voice, as clear as day, said, "This is the Lord's will, not yours; I am happy" Because of that experience I was able to move forward in faith and HOPE knowing without a doubt Lance was in a good place.
It was the start of healing when I could be at mom's bedside and say, "I forgive you," before she passed on. It was a tender moment, and I know she heard me.
During the funeral, my mother's dearest friend Susan spoke and told memories she had of my mom. She said from her heart that she really loved my mom, something I will always be grateful for. While she was speaking, I thought of a talk given by Elder Bednar at the General Conference in October of 2009. He talked about family love; he said that no wife, daughter, son, or husband should hear the words "I love you" for the first time from the pulpit--this is what I heard--but not from my mom from her friend. I wish I had heard "I love you and am proud of you" from my mother's lips. All I can do now is to make sure everyone I genuinely love and care for not only hears it but KNOW it. I understand mom may not have been able to express her love to me because I'm not really sure if she was told as a child--maybe she was never taught by example--I don't know--all I know for sure is when I held each and every one of my children in my arms for the 1st time I loved them--unconditionally loved each one of them. I guess forgiveness does not always leave you with peace and happiness. This part will come to me in the Lord's time--It always does-so for now, I love you, mom, and I know you did the best you could.
Monday, 18 November 2013
Dear Mom
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2013
Dear Mom
Today is Sunday, November 17
Last night I barely slept. My hip pain is getting worse; I just barely had a cortisone shot a month ago--When I spoke to the Oncologist last week, she said I need to get more tests done--YAY, more tests--(sarcasm). Also, the tumor in my head is bleeding out through my ear, and I'm constantly changing the cotton ball--I didn't want to go to church today; in thinking about it, I received an email from my dear friend Carla Kelly, telling me her husband was speaking in church, I invited her to sit with me. The meeting today was beautiful; I loved all the talks revolving around President Monson's talk on adversity in our lives--endure to the end. Carla and her Husband lost a son 2 years ago; it has been a tough time for them, a wrenching pain I don't understand since I have never lost a child. But I remember how hard it was on my mom when she lost her son Lance at age 15. I've decided it's not about the trial or adversity we endure; it's about how strong we are to take those times. We can embrace those storms and come out on the other end a better person, having been through them, or we can become cold, hard-hearted, and let it destroys our lives and the ones we love the most, our family.
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Mom, on Halloween, 2013 |
I know the Lord knows where my hidden places are, and HE will find me there, bring me into the light again and pull me up from the scrapes, bruises, and wounds I feel--HE will heal me.
If I am 100% pure and honest, I am afraid of going to the Funeral. Many people from the West Stake area where I grew up, who, when hearing bits and pieces of our lives years ago, did not believe this could be true--I'm nervous about seeing any of them. I'm hoping this can be put to rest; I want my mom to find some peace that she did not have here on earth for so long. Nothing that happened here on this earth can be changed; I would never change any of it, even as hard as it has been. I prayed for so many years it could and would be different. Still, I've realized all the fears and doubts we all go through are OUR OWN JOURNEY, something we chose together with our Heavenly Father before we came to earth. The faith I have found in myself during these endless, sleepless nights has changed me. I've seen the hand of God in my life; I've asked for big and small miracles to happen; some have been granted, and most have not. Not because HE does not love me, but because HE loves me THAT much. I am proof that He is REAL; I cannot and will never deny that.
If I could talk to my mom today, I would say...
Monday, November 18, 2013
Mom, I want to be healed, I want you to know me, I want you to see the woman you helped create. Thank you for giving me life, for staying with me all those times I was in the hospital and didn't want to be alone in the dark as a little girl. Thank you for never saying anything wrong about the Belshe family or my father, who put me in the hospital. Thank you for teaching me how to sew, even if I didn't care for it, thank you for teaching me to bake and love it. Thank you for not allowing me to drink soda and giving me a choice between fruit and candy. Most of all, thank you for remaining true to your faith, taking me to church, and helping me to anchor my testimony in Jesus Christ.
I know you have been in pain for years, and I also know this is so bittersweet for you, leaving three daughters behind with no earthly resolve but being able to go into the arms of Lance, your only son. You and I have been wanting the same things, a loving eternal family. I want you to know I KNOW you did the best you knew how to do.
Today I went to the funeral home and watched as Kris did your hair. You were always so beautiful to me. I've heard it said, "time heals all wounds" I know time cannot stand still; life goes on. Things get more accessible, but for some reason, I want you to know not a day has gone by since Lance died that I haven't thought about him; now, as I think of him, I will always think of you with a perfect body, no more pain, being able to once again go forward with this next journey of your life, hopefully, happy and able to look down on your middle daughter (bonbon) and finally hear the words.
I LOVE YOU, MOM. I have you to thank for the tears running down my cheeks, but now it's time to wipe those away finally.
There has been a hole in my heart for too many years; now, it's time to release that pain and reclaim the parts of my life that I have struggled with. I don't blame you; I forgive you, and this place where we call home and life is just passing through. Home is where you are now--no more sorrow or pain--the Lord will take over now and allow you and I both to heal.
Tuesday, 12 November 2013
Today mom Died 11/12/2013
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 2013
Today Mom Died 11/12/13
It seems weird to write about this, but my feelings are raw and honest, and I need to register for therapy. I always wondered what this would feel like; my mom passed away today. She has been staying in an assisted living home for the past couple of months, only a couple of miles from my house. My sister Sonya got the call from my mom's bishop that mom needed to be placed in assisted living after her last fall, and Sonya decided driving a couple of hours one way every day to take care of her in Phoenix was a little too much for her. Hence, she decided to move mom to this side of town. A few months before my cancer diagnosis, my stepfather, Gary, died, and I was asked by my mother's best friend Susan to please come to the hospital and be with her. I hesitated because besides a couple of hateful letters I had received over the years (one that almost put me in a mental hospital, I have Debbie Slade and President Lesueuer to thank for that not happening), it had at that time already been 17 years since I had any contact with either one of them, per my mother's request. 6 months before Gary died, I was at the Temple and, out of the blue, had a feeling of forgiveness come over me more substantial than I had ever felt before; I searched for an email or someway to contact him and let him know. It simply read:
I will never forget walking into that hospital room with my 4 children, my sisters chose not to go, and I never judged them for that; in fact, Sonya begged me not to go; she is very protective over me and knows I get my hopes up, only to be crushed.
Over the past month, I realized while reading the Infinite Atonement that I need to forgive my mother. I have asked myself repeatedly, "How can you forgive your birth father for abandoning you as a little girl?"'How can you forgive the stepdad who abused you but not be able to forgive your own mother?"These questions have haunted me as I have studied the Atonement and tried desperately to comprehend why a mother would walk away from her children and grandchildren and why she stayed with a man who could do such heinous things to her very own flesh and blood. All these years, all I have ever wanted to hear from her was, "I'm sorry, this is not your fault, and I wish it had never happened,"or just "I'm sorry," that would have been sufficient. I was never granted those simple words "I love you."
Two things happened, 1st I sent a text to my visiting teachers asking them if they would help me, I wanted them to come with me to the assisted living home while I spoke with her, I felt this was the best way and felt the safest for me personally. I purposefully did not tell my family, not even Eric or Sonya that I was planning this for Friday the 14th this week. I have wonderful visiting teachers Kathi Cluff who I adore and admire so much, she is not only beautiful physically but have always looked to her for an example of true Christ like love. Marian Priday, is my other visiting teacher, I love her and have complete faith and assurance in confidentiality with her knowing she will always give me the best advice and help in anyway she can.
The 2nd thing that happened was last weekend I took my girls to a women's convention in downtown Phoenix called Time Out For Women, there were over 5500 women in attendance. During the very 1st speaker I was so emotional Brad Wilcox was the speaker, he spoke of the Atonement and how to use it in our lives, it felt as though he was speaking to me, and only me, like I was the only one in the room. He said The Atonement is a Gift, no one made or forced Christ to die for our sins, HE chose it.
and this is literally what I wrote in my note book "The spirit is so strong, my heart is pounding, I cannot get my mom off of my mind" Let go of willpower and rely on HIS power, turn towards HIM-HE is the light. My life end goal of enduring to the end is to become more like HIM, to lead a more Christ like life in all that I do and say.
Can people change?
Not without God-
Alone we will fail-
with God all things are possible-
my next line of notes really hit me tonight--
YES--I can do this-through the Atonement of Christ I can face my fears, I can face my mother, and in the holiest of a pure heart I can tell her "I forgive you" and expect nothing in return.
Heaven is not a prize for the perfect, but the future home of all who are willing to be perfected.
Yesterday, I thought about my brother all day, it has been 26 years since his death, he would of been 42 in January. This is a night I will never forget, Veterans Day has always been a special day to me now. That night having to tell my parents their only son had died in their home while they were out of town, was hard. It was a defining moment in my life.
Today, as I sat holding my little grandson, my sister Sonya sent me a text that read "can you talk?" I did not respond knowing Kayla was soon leaving and I just wanted a few more minutes with Ezra. As soon as Kayla left, I got the 2nd text saying my mom was in Banner Gateway Hospital and for me to come, she was not going to make it--I rushed over there, walked in the solemn room, quiet and with a smell of sickness and death--I stood by her side, told her "Mom, its Monya and I'm here--mom I forgive you" within just a few more very deep breaths the sounds of the flat lines on the machine went off and she was gone. Sonya, Greg and myself alone in a room with a woman who had caused so much pain in our lives, suddenly I felt the pains of devastation--now I know what that feels like, its not having been abused, that can be fixed and forgiven, its not having cancer, it's a family ripped apart, because of pride, a daughter of our Heavenly Father wanting so badly to have a relationship with her mother, call her for a recipe, talk about spiritual moments, share the blessings of an eternal family--just ripped in half--all over PRIDE.
This earth is our school of learning, and I am saying from an authentic place, that I need to pray for myself to heal my heart from the hurt and pain my mom and dad have caused--help change ME--don't worry anymore about changing HER--The Atonement will allow all of me to change for good--I choose to be authentic, I choose to forgive, I choose to live like the Savior.
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Today, if I am absolutely authentic, I had so many emotions go through me--why? why? couldn't my mom say "I'm sorry?" Why, was I not given 2 more days to express my feelings to her? Was the Lord protecting me from more pain? When the disciples prayed with Christ in his last days they were filled with desire--am I filled with desire? what is that desire? Because when I am sitting in this hospital room I want to scream out loud, I'm so mad. After everyone left, I asked if I could have a few minutes with my mom. My sisters Sonya and Kris had spent much time with her the past couple of months, and even they were ready to move on and go. When the door shut, I asked Eric to stay with me, I held my moms hand, talked about how small she was, 88 pounds, and kissed her on the forehead, with a final "I forgive you" Eric and I held her hand and he offered one of the sweetest prayers I have ever heard, I did not expect that from him, he has always had such pain and anger towards my parents for what they had put me through, but tonight that side of him was gone and the spirit of healing began. I wept, and could not control my emotions--so this is how this feels...
Friday, 8 November 2013
Fall Leaves, Ocean Views
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 2013
Fall leaves, Ocean Views
I have wanted to take Eric to see the Fall leaves for years. The last time I visited was with a good friend many years ago, and I loved the trip. Eric is not a wintry weather guy, so this was not on his trip bucket list. However, he had a wonderful time and could not believe the beauty surrounding us as we drove through Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Maine. Now I think we will be making this trip every year... There was so much to see and little time to do it all.
Williams Port Light House |
Beautiful homes on the beach. I want to play with Recker here. |
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Loved all the Lighthouses |
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Lobster Rolls--Famous |
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It's hard to find this kind of beauty in AZ. |
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Loved wearing my boots and beanie--winter clothes |
Loved all the covered bridges too. |
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He looks warm enough !! |
My Favorite part of the trip...seeing our sweet Chelsea Cloward. |
Just how I love it--no one on the beach but me and Eric The Hampton's |
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Fenway Park, original seats |
Fenway Park, original home plates |
Eric taking the moment |
1 COMMENT:
- Loretta Valenta said...
Vermont and upstate New york is a "must-see" as well! I was born and raised in upstate New York and adore fall! So glad you got to experience heaven!
- NOVEMBER 10, 2013
Wednesday, 6 November 2013
Dr. Kreymerman Leaves Mayo Clinic
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 2013
Dr. Kreymerman Leaves Mayo Clinic
Dr. Kreymerman, is leaving Mayo Clinic and moving to North Carolina. His family has already moved, and Friday will be his last day at The Mayo Clinic. Those of you who contact me via email about doctors to use for reconstruction--HE IS THE BEST--and if you live closer to NC, you are in luck--email me, and I will give you information about his practice.
I will never be able to say enough 'Thanks You's' to him; he has been an excellent doctor for me. Although this seems to be a good move for him and his sweet family. I, along with many other patients he has treated, will miss him.
Family is so important. This move for him will bring him closer to his parents and in-laws. I know his wife Rakhi is happy to be closer to her family. Good Blessings are on their way to North Carolina. We will miss you in Arizona.
Dr. Peter Kreymerman, Me, and Heather Lucas P.A. |
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Saying goodbye is always hard--so I just said, "see you later." |
Our First and Last Thanksgiving
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8 COMMENTS:
I cried when I read this, I was lucky enough to forgive my mother before she died. At first she was stubborn, acting as if she didnt do anything to be forgiven for. Making it hard for me to be genuine. But I realized I did not want a heavy heart and I truly did forgive her for not protecting me as a teenager from my sister's husband. Before she died after all those visits she said she was sorry for not being a better mother, I know she meant it. I am so grateful I hung in there even though her words were not kind in the beginning. Andra Kay is a different story, she will never admit what her husband did to me or her daughters even after his death. I have forgiven her and pray someday before she dies we can be sisters again, I dont see it happening any time soon. I have now had the joy of having 3 of her 6 daughters seek me out and accept me as their aunt, after years of abuse from their now dead father and their unwilling to see mother. I tell them alll the time not to hate her but to forgive her, it is an unbeleivable gift from God. They are not there yet though.
Love you mom!
Monya thank you for being brave enough to share this incredible journey. I am so sorry for your pain and so admire your strength.
Monya,
I know the love in your heart. May this help all of us to reach out to everyone we know and be kind and forgiving thanks for the love of our Savior and his great Atonement giving his life freely for all our sins and weakness. Let your light and all our light shine with love and compassion and be able to love, forgive and help all in need. I love you and your righteous blessed heart I love you, thanks for the example to all of us !!!! Love you, Eric
Monya,
You are brave. You are a survivor. You are stronger than you think you are and truly, an example to me. Thank you for this.
Monya, My prayers and thoughts are with you at this difficult time. This is a hard a difficult journey. I admire you for the fortitude with which you face life. Love ya! Kellie
I can't even begin to imagine the emotions you must be feeling. You are amazing. The fact that you've broken the cycle and have a new generation of happy, good kids that you've been able to protect by staying away from them is something to be proud of. You're exactly the kind of mom that you needed and deserved. I'm so glad you won't have to regret never being able to tell her that you forgive her. It's done, and now maybe it will be easier to move on. Love you, Monya! I'll see you on Tuesday.
Monya,
I understand having a parent you are estranged from. I forgave him in my heart but never did tell him that before he died. I felt like it was more for me than him, and "peace" occupies a softened heart. That was enough for me.
You are such a beautiful person. You are such an inspiration to me!
Love to you,
Kristin
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