Special People

So many people have been so kind to me since Keith's passing. Of course, Dr. Brian is just the best.

I was invited to come back to Choir at First Presbyterian. This is my third week and so many people are helping me both at practice and on Sunday.

The Church and its people are my family. Gof bless them all.

The Last Goodnight

It was last Wednesday and Keith and I were at one of the tables in the Café at Larkspur, a continuing care facility here in Lufkin.

Keith had been doing well and enjoying that we were eating dinner together every night. Last Wednesday was not the same. Keith did not eat and was sliding out of his wheelchair. One of the staff came over to help and took Keith back to his room where he put him to bed. We kissed Good Night and I left.

Just before 10 o'clock, a Larkspur staff member called to let me know Keith had passed.

Our Minister at First Presbyterian in Lufkin had been helping throughout Keith's illness. We went to CarrowayFuneral home, made arrangements and scheduled his funeral for Saturday.

It was a wonderful tribute with family and friends speaking. We had a lot of special music.

After the service, we had a simple meal where we could chat with those who had attended.

It was Keith's time and the Lord called him home.

I miss him so much and appreciate the calls and notes.

This is a choir picture: Keith with
David Franssen.

It's been 21 years now since I came to Texas after marrying Keith Alan Sutton in Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada. We met on Widownet.org. We still have at least one friend from that group with whom we keep in touch.

So Keith is 90 now and I am 78. Life is a little harder and right now Keith is in a special care facility here in Lufkin. He broke his hip and was sent to Houston for his surgery. It was a two and a half hour drive and sometimes more to visit Keith there. Wonderful friends drove me there for visits. I have experienced so many special people these past months. I am very hopeful that Keith will be able to come back to our house.

Keith and I have been blessed with a wonderful life. We joined First Presbyterian Church about 8 years ago and have made many friends there. Our minister has been especially helpful through this time, going beyond to do special things for us.

Yes, that is Buddy the Lhasa in the picture that our friend took a few years ago for Christmas. Buddy is blind and deaf but does very well and especially enjoys his grooming sessions with his pal Billy in the Lucky Puppy Van.

So it is totally possible to find a "new life" after being widowed. There are pictures of Keith's wife, Jane Sutton and my husband, John Devlin in our living room . . . or great room as it is called.

On Facebook I still have lots of friends from the Dog Fancy. (John was a dog show judge.) We have not been up to Toronto for a long time and I don't imagine we will be there again.

Keith was a mechanical engineer and I had been a real estate agent in Toronto. Many friends have passed but we are very fortunate to have many people - particularly from church who help us. We have lived in the same house for 20 years and with help, hope to stay here.

So this is sort of an update. I hope some of you reading this will see that you can continue on as you age. God bless you all!