This picture was taken on Eric's first day of kindergarten, in 2002. Joe and his wife Bonnie were excited to see him get on the bus for the first time, so they sat at the end of their driveway and waited for the big moment!
Kids are great ice-breakers...and our kids were one of the ways that we got to know Joe and Bonnie. The were very private people, but over the years we gradually got to know and appreciate them...they were wonderful neighbors!
They meant everything to each other, and when Bonnie passed away in 2008, Joe was devastated. He gradually adjusted to the "new normal", and we enjoyed visiting him often. Over the past two years, as Joe became less mobile, we saw him every day...we took him his newspaper and made his morning hot chocolate. We enjoyed watching the Eagles and the Phillies with him...even though he was an avid Pittsburgh fan!
Over the last month, Joe's health rapidly declined, and he spent some time in the hospital before returning home under Hospice care. We, along with some other neighbors and a family friend, tried to honor his wishes by caring for him during his last days. Jim and I and a nurse were with him when he took his last breath on Tuesday morning.
There's now a "new normal" for us to adjust to...and we will miss him!
I'm so sorry you've lost your friend. It's quite a testament to the kind of neighbor and friend you are to help an elderly man die in the manner he wished. Blessings.
ReplyDeleteSending you great big goat hugs!
ReplyDeleteOh I am so sorry Alica. You were a very good friend and neighbour.He is with his wife now looking down on you smiling. B
ReplyDeleteDear Alicia,
ReplyDeleteyou will be blessed for being his family and taking care of him in his final days. God will honor you for it and you taught so much to your children by them seeing you loving another human being the way you did. God bless you and your family. Hugs from us to you
I am so very sorry for your loss. I think you must have been very good friends, indeed.
ReplyDeleteI'm so sorry. But it sounds like your life was all the richer for knowing him : )
ReplyDeleteRest in peace Joe. Alica, you have done a wonderful selfless thing - to be there as he takes this new journey. Hugs Maa
ReplyDeleteoh i am so sorry to hear about Joe's passing. But i know he is in a good place now...
ReplyDeleteAnd yes "new" normal's are hard but doable.
Leontien
Alicia,
ReplyDeleteI didn't see anything in the paper. Just now learned of his passing on your blog.I was trying to put together the date , did he pass on the 15th of Aug ? So sorry.
Pam and Lee
Thanks Pam..it was Tuesday morning, the 9th of August. He requested that there be no obituary in the paper. He is definitely missed!
ReplyDelete