Back home in Indiana

We can’t thank all of you enough for joining us on this difficult journey. We have felt blessed to have you share Kathie’s life with us.

Preparations were made to travel across the country, back to Indiana to follow Kathie’s wishes to have the funeral in Lafayette. Of course, she was worried about all of us – figuring that Bob and her children would have the greatest amount of support there – and that it was more accessible for her friends that would like to say their goodbyes.

Please do not feel obligated to come for us – we realize it is a great expense to travel across the country on a moment’s notice. Lauren had to use some serious persuasion to get from Indiana back to North Carolina Saturday morning, feeling that she would prefer to be with her family. Lynette also fought for a reasonable ticket exchange to just fly directly into Indiana rather than going to NC first.

Kathie’s passing was, as Bob mentioned, peaceful. Eddie was sitting with her, when he noticed a slight breathing change. Less than a half hour later, she took her last breath. Bob and Eddie were in the room when she passed. We are all so grateful that she has found her place with God, no longer in pain and struggling to catch her breath. Though it felt like a privilege to care for the woman who cared so long for all of us, it was a relief that she was not really suffering for a long time. Kathie always worried that she would someday lose some of her mental capacities, as her mother had. We know that she would not have liked to carry on in the state she was in for a long time.

Our hospice nurse, Tammy, was already scheduled to come that day. Tammy showed up less than 10 minutes after Eddie and Bob said goodbye. She confirmed what they already knew. Again, the family was grateful they had decided to participate in Hospice. Due to Hospice rules, Tammy took care of all of the medications that were in the home before she left – not leaving the family to figure out how to dispose of it – keeping Hospice out of liability and keeping us out of danger of having to figure out how to legally dispose of them. The funeral home was called to get her.

We’re hoping Kathie doesn’t pull an April Fool’s joke, and that she shows up for her viewing on Tuesday. Bob, Eddie, Christen and Lauren left NC for Indiana on Monday and a friend of Eddie’s will keep house while they are gone (it’s a tough job to look over the lake for a few days!). Lynette and the girls are flew into Indy and stayed with Melissa’s family until the rest of the family arrived Monday evening. Tuesday evening there will be a viewing and then possibly a margarita toast ;)

The days leading up to the family drive were spent laughing over old memories and stories of Kathie and time spent together as a family. Though tears have and will be shed, and will be at times during the months and years ahead – it has been better to reminisce of all the good times we’ve had together.

Posted by Lauren