My Dad's passing

Richard Ellis Michaud

1932 - 2010

My Dad passed away last week at his home in Maine. I knew his health was declining, and that we were lucky to have him be around as long as he was, but it was still awful to get that phone call from my mom. I was more sad to think of my mom. They were planning on going to FL next week to move into their new home. We all feel it was a blessing though, that he died at home and not on the road, or in FL where they knew no one. Also that he died quickly and did not have to be in a hospital. He always hated doctors.

I was able to fly up to Maine the same day to be with my mom-also a blessing. There was much to do and I did not want her to be alone that first night. We spent the next couple of days going through years of paperwork, making lots of phone calls, and packing up some of Dad's things.

The rest of my siblings were able to come up a couple of days later. On Friday, we buried my Dad in the Clark's hill cemetary where his mother and grandmother were buried. Saturday, we had a very nice memorial service. There were many family members, fellow church members, and friends of my parents. It was nice to share our memories and our children's memories.

My mom plans now are to move to FL as planned and see how it goes. She has been so strong through this process and is getting through it. The gospel of Jesus Christ brings a certain amount of peace-she knows she will see him again. The hard part is getting through the rest of her life without him.

Homecoming

I wasn't home this year for homecoming :(; but, I was able to enjoy Julia's events through pictures. Thankfully cousin Christie was able to step in as "mom" for the day and get her ready. She looked beautiful as always.

Longwood gardens

I took Eliza and Anna to the gardens on Saturday because the weather has been so gorgeous and Eliza had been wanting to see the flowers. Well, we had been there for about an hour when I decided to sit on a bench while they took pictures over in the flower garden.

The next thing I know, Eliza runs up to me crying, saying her nose stings really bad, then her lip. I couldn't get her to stop crying, even with cold water. Apparently, she smelled a flower with a bee on it. Then she reports she can't walk either because she has a blister on her foot. Piggy back ride it was to the first aid station, all the way back at the entrance. She even refused ice cream, she was in so much pain. So a quick stop at WalMart and the application of "First Bite" cream saved the day.