Arlene

My sweet, little Arlene passed on March 21 from Alzheimer’s. For Arlene it was a day of rejoicing. For sure! For us, we will miss her, but I am happy for her to be done with the effects of the disease.  She had a long battle.  She was my sweet girl for 51 years and a very good mom and a good friend to many. Her passing will be quite a change in my life.  No question.  Many of you have lost spouses and know exactly what I will be facing.  I’m always open for your advice and suggestions. Here is some old advice from an old guy, Lord Macaulary—“Finesse is the best adaptation of means to circumstances.”  He died in 1859. I told you it was old advice from an old guy!  haha

I have had many amazing experiences during Arlene’s final days.  There are many amazing folks, just amazing (i.e. good, real folks with good hearts; my kind of folks).  Some of those folks are you guys.  Amazing.  I wish I could share all those experiences but there are toooo many.  Really!  But I want to share this—The personnel at Arlington Place treated Arlene and me just great during Arlene’s stay there and her final days.  Also, Cedar Valley Hospice, as a hospice and their personnel, were incredibly great both professionally and as individuals.  Kaylene, the manager of Arlington Place, taught me this during Arlene’s final hours—“Never spoil a notion.”  I think her mom taught her that.  What she was saying is, I think, if you have a notion to do something good, do it.  And do it when—NOW!  Your interaction/friendship with me was/is soooo uplifting and encouraging.  If you didn’t act on your notions, I would not have had the experiences.  Your notions became opportunities for me.  Thanksamillion—You guys are the best. I applaud you.  And for the one (i.e. you know who you are) that didn’t act on your notion, it’s your loss and mine tooooo!  Ouchy ouchy!

https://www.meaningfulfunerals.net/obituary/arlene-mellema?fh_id=11511

Arlene was a good person to share the joy of live with. No question. I was blessed. MissPerfect says--To have a good life but not to have anyone to share it with isn’t as much fun.

As I was cleaning Arlene’s room out at Arlington Place, I was going through the door of the memory unit when a staff member engaged with me and said that she really likes Psalm 146 (i.e. sorta kinda out of the blue I think—happenstance, na I don’t think soooo—I think she had a notion).  I said I would read it.  I like all the Psalms; Arlene did as well.  One verse of this chapter seemed to really apply to Arlene—I will sing praise to my God as long as I live.  ANYWAY, most of Arlene’s personal effects a.k.a. stuff went into the dumpster (i.e. or as a friend says--It all goes back in the box). That earthly stuff just doesn’t mean much now does it.  Ouchy ouchy!  JoeBlow says—YaBut, I put a lot of money and effort into my stuff! Great balls of fire! Sooo there you go. Such is life. JoeBlow, probably no one really cares about your stuff unless it’s cash or the farm that they are getting but most of your stuff isn’t worth much on the secondary market I hate to tell ya; in fact some of your stuff you can’t give away; no one wants it—they don’t want more stuff; they have enough of their own stuff). FarmerJoe, folks have enough free seed corn caps! Don’t laugh SusieQ, no one wants your 73 purses from the last 35 years either!  haha

Have a FUN day my friends unless you have other plans. (-:

erv

MyFriendJean says—When someone you love becomes a memory the memory becomes a treasure.