Oh my, so life became super busy during the end of 2011. That was evident when I noticed I had not posted a new blog since October. Well here is what happened in a condensed version....
October 18 - Kelton turned 15!Yes, my baby is at the age of excitement. By that I mean sports, girls, and the dreaded learner's permit age. Kelton was encouraged by his coach to try out for the High School basketball team which he did. He made it to the 2nd cut. The High School coaches decided not to bring on any freshmen so he is now playing for the 9th grade team. With his height, he is mostly playing center.
November 11 - Finished Student TeachingI student taught in a 5th grade class. The teacher and students were WONDERFUL! I enjoyed my time and was able to share many ideas as well as learn new ones. I was truly spoiled on my last day and will miss them.
November 15 - GRADUATED!!Finally! After working hard I completed all of my requirements and graduated with honors with my Bachelors in Elementary Education. As soon as I finished I had several schools and teachers jump right back into asking me to sub for them which has been nice while I look for a permanent job.
November 17 - Dad turned 66My dad told me earlier in the year he did not want another birthday but as fate would have it he did. We celebrated with him at the care center for many reasons. Gaylinn gave him a hair cut and LeAnn brought him a Lemon Merange Pie and a Big Mac. He seemed to enjoy it a bit.
November 18 - Katie Gets MarriedAlthough I'm just the aunt, I did have my duties to see that this day went off perfectly. Katie was beautiful and we had a touching moment early that day when I gave her a charm bracelet with an angel(representing my mom) and a heart(so she knew I loved her). That way when she was in the temple, she would know she was loved and that grandma was there with her. It was a very busy day and I still think it took Gaylinn several days after to recoup.
November 24 - ThanksgivingThis year was different! Everything felt off. My sisters and our families planned on getting together but due to my dads health we could not bring him with us. We decided to all go and visit and spend time with him. We helped him eat the meal they provided and tried to spend time with him and talk but he was in and out of the conversation. At one point he even asked where my mom was and when she was coming. I was a sad day because we all knew things were changing and would not be the same again.
November 27 - WreathsIt has been a long standing tradition to place Christmas wreaths on all of the Duncan family members graves for the holidays. My sisters and our families spent a moment and did this and said "hi" to mom. (too bad we didn't know what was coming, we could have waited).
December 4 - HospitalExactly 3 years to the day that we buried my mom, Gaylinn and I met the ambulance at the hospital with my dad. My dad had been sick and running a fever for a few days and basically unresponsive. We decided to have him seen even though we knew his final wishes and we were pretty sure he had pneumonia. This was all confirmed and measures were taken to make him comfortable. Clint and Thom gave him a blessing. Later that afternoon he was given a room and put on a morphine pump to control the pain. The nursing staff was very kind and did all they could do to help. My dad was spiking a temperature between 104 and 107 throughout the entire time. As the day went on, LeAnn joined us. Gaylinn and I tried to keep her home with her kids as long as possible. Around 7pm that evening we decided we better have the grandkids come and say goodbye. We all crowded into his room and visited with each other and talked to my dad. He was still unresponsive by he finally looked at peace and not in pain although his temperature was still too high. The grandkids all left and my sisters and I stayed with him. We told him it was ok, that he could go and be with mom and his parents. Everything was up and down with his stats. It was obvious he was fighting death. At one point his heart rate was extremely rapid and it was scary to know what he was going through. His heart rate and stats seemed to stabilize around 3am and we were exhausted so we made the choice to go home and sleep for awhile. At 4am, we got the call that he passed away. In my heart I think my dad did not want to die in front of us. I think he was still fighting to stay.
December 5 - 9 - Busy weekPlanning, planning and paying a lot of money was the title of this week. We made the arrangements, paid out the nose, but I think my dad would have been proud. We took all the wreaths off of the graves of my grandparents and mom and saved them for after the funeral.
December 10 - FuneralWe buried my dad next to mom. I know that he is now at peace. He looked so peaceful and young in his coffin. He had friends, neighbors, and relatives come say goodbye. My sisters and I were touched by the love and support of our Aunts, Uncles, and Grandparents on my mom's side of the family as well as my dear cousin Jennifer who played the beautiful music. We truly appreciated the support from those who cared and gave it.
December 25 - Christmasthe rest of December was busy and a blur but Christmas came anyway. Just like Thanksgiving, It was different and will be that way forever more. My sisters and I were exhausted with everything that had been going on since October. We chose not to get together. Instead we spend much needed down time with our own families. We have vowed to keep together and remain "a family", keep some old family traditions, but add in new ones. This is our new norm for our family. We know mom and dad are together and hope the are happy. We know most of the difficult days are behind us and we look forward to happy, exciting times ahead.
Here's to a
NEW YEAR....HAPPY 2012!!!!!!
