Dear family and friends, I am finally posting, finally. I've wanted to for so long but I just didn't have the energy or the motivation to do it. As most of you know we had our baby, William Klippel, very prematurely at 26 weeks of gestation. That was on June 8th. It was devastating. And just when I felt like I was getting my head above water, my sweet, sweet mother passed away out of nowhere. She was 57, healthy, happy and my brother found her in her bed at about 10:00 in the morning of July 6th.
My mom and I were close, she was my mom. We talked weekly and we saw her about four times a year. She lived in Southern California. I miss her dearly. I still can't believe she's gone and sometimes it stops me in my own tracks with the realization that she really is gone. I knew I loved her, like I said, she's my mom. But, I love her so much more than I knew. A little bit sad, but that's the way it is. We aren't sure why she died. An autopsy was going to cost between 3 and 7 thousand dollars. We opted out. She had a stroke when I was 17 and lived through brain surgery the whole nine yards. We suspect she had another stroke.
She had so many friends that came to the service to support her and her memory and to support my brother and my family. I had so many people go on and on about the things she had done for them, helped them, cooked for them, delivered their "Avon route" for them when they were sick and on and on. It was inspiring to learn that she was busy helping others so much.
This is the display of photos I put together for the service. I had her wedding bouquet recreated, which I thought she would have loved. She loved her husband so much. He died six years ago. My brother and I share our mom. His dad was my step dad. My brother is 21 and has so living parents. A harsh reality for sure. We will be there for him and love him in all the ways we can.
The picture above is my dad me and my mom Judy. The picture on top is Jerry (step dad), James (my "half" brother) and our mom Judy. Two different eras for sure. I know my mom is in a place with her husband. I know she is happy, and busy. I love her so much and I know that this life is a time to grow closer to our Father in Heaven. Instead of asking why this is happening I try to focus on what I have learned and how I can move on gracefully.
Believe it or not when we were at my moms during the first week of her death making the arrangements, we got a call from our oldest son's Scout Camp, telling us he had broken his arm so severely he had to be rushed to Dominican hospital for a three hour surgery, in Santa Cruz. My husband and I were just staring into space after the phone call, thinking, "really, is this really happening among all else that is happening." Well, it was and our son needed us. So we got on a flight and arrived home late that night. He ended up with two titanium plates in his arm. The blessing was that he never had to get casted because metal plates far surpass any ol' cast. So he still got to swim and play. He is healing well, back on year round swim team and playing the piano.
Believe it or not when we were at my moms during the first week of her death making the arrangements, we got a call from our oldest son's Scout Camp, telling us he had broken his arm so severely he had to be rushed to Dominican hospital for a three hour surgery, in Santa Cruz. My husband and I were just staring into space after the phone call, thinking, "really, is this really happening among all else that is happening." Well, it was and our son needed us. So we got on a flight and arrived home late that night. He ended up with two titanium plates in his arm. The blessing was that he never had to get casted because metal plates far surpass any ol' cast. So he still got to swim and play. He is healing well, back on year round swim team and playing the piano.
A beautiful example of a compound fracture. The two bones you see sticking down came through the skin of his arm. Lovely...I know.
He's very proud of this wound it turns out. I wanted to douse it with Vitamin E oil daily, but he wouldn't have anything to do with that. He wants a "mans" scar, not a pretty scar." Is there a difference?
After my mom's service, and Kalen out of the hospital we hit the ground running and started to plan the Estate sale to sell my mother's things. By the middle of the week we were so done with all of the trauma, the trials the work, the mental exhaustion...we went to Disneyland. What better place to forget about our "woes?" We had a great time. My sister in law Kerri and her daughter met up with us.
He's very proud of this wound it turns out. I wanted to douse it with Vitamin E oil daily, but he wouldn't have anything to do with that. He wants a "mans" scar, not a pretty scar." Is there a difference?
After my mom's service, and Kalen out of the hospital we hit the ground running and started to plan the Estate sale to sell my mother's things. By the middle of the week we were so done with all of the trauma, the trials the work, the mental exhaustion...we went to Disneyland. What better place to forget about our "woes?" We had a great time. My sister in law Kerri and her daughter met up with us.
I was just thinking how can I get a hold of some costumes like this for Halloween, man are they darling or what? I mean I'm pretty sure that girl really is Snow White.
We still went to our annual vacation in Tahoe. Kirk's mom and dad are kind enough to let family share their unit on the North Shore in Brockway Springs. Recently her daughter Kerri also bought a unit next door and they two let us invade with our families. We are so grateful to get to go every year. It's so fun. This is the annual family pictures on the grass after church on Sundays.
More fun in Tahoe. Some of the cousins, yes there are many more, on a wall in Truckee.
This year we hiked Emerald Bay and Kayaked over to the Island. Really fun.
And last but not least an update on the baby. Well he's not so premature in terms of weight anymore. He's 8lbs 2oz!!! Can you believe that? Here is a progression of pictures.
Below is when her was still on the "C Pap," a breathing machine.
Below is when her was still on the "C Pap," a breathing machine.
He's off the "C Pap," but now on the nasal canula. It doesn't breathe for him but gives him short bursts of air to remind him to breathe.
Each of the children holding him. They loooooooooove going to the hospital to see him. My daughter Gwyneth could hold him for hours and she will get every chance if we can just get him home.
More holding....
I love the picture with his eyes open. He looks just like me when I was a baby.
If you'll notice his is in an open crib. He's been in it for about a month. This means he can keep his own temperature warm enough now.
Today he is like this. The nasal wire you see above has been out for several weeks now. He has an "ng," or feeding tube. They rarely use it, as he is nippling and breastfeeding almost exclusively. I go in everyday for the 3:30pm, 6:30pm and 9:30pm feedings. It's rather crazy but it looks like he'll be home in about a week!
My life is still somewhat normal, with naughty babies emptying flour onto the floor. We still find time for the park and Yogurtland of course.
We have never been through so many challenges at once, I must say. But, the reality is life moves on and we can still be happy after sadness occurs. I miss my mom, I feel for my brother and my children. But, it's a new beginning. A new baby and new life for us in many ways. My brother in law moved out of our home after living with us our entire married life. We have an extra room and my dad and I went to town and "revamped" our upstairs and my backyard. We are living life, we love it and we are happy despite the tough times. Thank you to all those blog friends who have emailed with concern and thank you to all those who have helped us during this time of need. We are ever grateful.
The Klippels
PS. Our blog domain has changed, if you are reading this you will see it at the top of the page. It's a blogspot address now. To be exact... klippel.blogspot.com
We have never been through so many challenges at once, I must say. But, the reality is life moves on and we can still be happy after sadness occurs. I miss my mom, I feel for my brother and my children. But, it's a new beginning. A new baby and new life for us in many ways. My brother in law moved out of our home after living with us our entire married life. We have an extra room and my dad and I went to town and "revamped" our upstairs and my backyard. We are living life, we love it and we are happy despite the tough times. Thank you to all those blog friends who have emailed with concern and thank you to all those who have helped us during this time of need. We are ever grateful.
The Klippels
PS. Our blog domain has changed, if you are reading this you will see it at the top of the page. It's a blogspot address now. To be exact... klippel.blogspot.com
