YorkieTalk.com Forums - Yorkshire Terrier Community - View Single Post

DENISE517 · 07-23-2008, 04:54 AM

I just wanted to update everyone on Connie. I feel so terrible for her and just wished I could be there for her in person. Here is part of the email she sent me and wanted me to share. If anyone wants to send a card, pm me for the address of her or her sister, Judy.

FROM CONNIE:

I quickly looked at the messages on the thread, but am so tired and thought I'd write you an update and you can share it if you will.

I thank you and everyone for the messages of sympathy. I read them when I get time and cry, but yet, find comfort and love and feel so overwhelmed at the caring thoughts from each of you.

Yesterday (Monday) was agonizing and none of us had had any sleep. Judy got home by 10:15 AM, which was a miracle. NW Airlines were so good to her to get her back home and got her seats in the front so she could be the first one off the plane. They accompanied her off the plane in Mpls and had called ahead for a cart to get her to her connection, and the cart was not there. She had to run to the opposite side of the airport to make her connection. Thank goodness she made it and didn't have to sit there for hours waiting for the next flight. Word spread fast and people started coming to Judy and Darrel's house, bringing food and other things. Judy can seem to hold up well through this, but I found her crying in the bedroom more than once. Darrel is also taking it so hard...and Cherie. None of us can imagine life without Richie. I had to go and tell Aunt Bev the terrible news and she feels so bad. She is in a nursing home for rehab after falling in the hospital and breaking the bones in her right leg.

This morning Judy told me that Darrel got up to use the bathroom at 6 AM and came back to bed and cried and cried for 2 hours. This is so heartbreaking. At 10, their son, Jason, got here from Florida and Rich's son, Alex, got here from Arizona. At 10:45 they had to go to the funeral home,and the cemetery, so I stayed at their house to take phone calls and answer the door. Lots of phone calls and people stopping by. A dear friend of mine came to be with me and that meant so much. They got home from the funeral home and Judy said she thought picking out Mom's casket was the hardest thing she'd ever do, but that this was even worse. The rest of the day was people coming and calling. Many times there would be calls to the home phone and cell phones at the same time. There is so much food there we don't know how it will all get eaten and have put lots in the freezer. Judy and Darrel went today to buy clothes for Richie. None of his clothes are here and gosh...this is just all so hard. Rich's autopsy was at 1:00 today in Bismarck. They had to do that because it was an unattended death and under investigation. They said it would take 2 1/2 hours. Then he would be brought to Minot to Thomas Funeral Home. We don't know yet if there can be a reviewal. So, my dear Richie is here now...omgosh...I just can't stand this. He will be buried in the same cemetery as Mom and Dad, but about two sections away from theirs.

I know I shouldn't think about it, but I keep picturing Richie falling from that tower. They figure it was equal to falling from a 5 or 6 story building. I can't stand the thought of him falling. The fear he must have felt. He had to have known he was going to die. I just can't stand it. I love him so much. He had paint all over him when they found him.

I woke up this morn with swollen eyes and swollen lumps just above my eyebrows. I think it is sinus problems from all the crying and boy does it hurt. I am going to go to my Chiropractor Thursday and get acupuncture In hopes that will help. My throat also hurts and I don't know if I'm sick, or if it's from crying so much.

Thursday will be the reviewal at the Funeral home from 2-7. We don't know if it will be an open casket. Maybe just open for the family. I can't stand the thought of seeing Richie in a casket.

Friday at 10:30 is the funeral. Our lives are forever altered and I am really afraid of facing the days, weeks and months ahead.

Maddie and Libby are doing pretty good now, but I was worried about Libby for a while. Every time I would pick her up, she would just growl and growl and keep on until I put her down. She wouldn't even let me soothe her. Her little world has been turned upside down too and she wasn't knowing how to deal with it. I finally gave her some rescue remedy and that helped her and I was able to hold and pet her. Maddie is much the same as when Mom died...depressed and laying around a lot. They have been home by themselves a lot as I don't want to take them to Judy's with all the people coming and going. Judy said to bring them, but I think it's best to let them be at home for now.

Thanks and hugs to all!

Connie

07-23-2008, 04:54 AM	#1
DENISE517 No Longer a Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: INDIANA Posts: 4,449	Update on Connie and her family.... I just wanted to update everyone on Connie. I feel so terrible for her and just wished I could be there for her in person. Here is part of the email she sent me and wanted me to share. If anyone wants to send a card, pm me for the address of her or her sister, Judy. FROM CONNIE: I quickly looked at the messages on the thread, but am so tired and thought I'd write you an update and you can share it if you will. I thank you and everyone for the messages of sympathy. I read them when I get time and cry, but yet, find comfort and love and feel so overwhelmed at the caring thoughts from each of you. Yesterday (Monday) was agonizing and none of us had had any sleep. Judy got home by 10:15 AM, which was a miracle. NW Airlines were so good to her to get her back home and got her seats in the front so she could be the first one off the plane. They accompanied her off the plane in Mpls and had called ahead for a cart to get her to her connection, and the cart was not there. She had to run to the opposite side of the airport to make her connection. Thank goodness she made it and didn't have to sit there for hours waiting for the next flight. Word spread fast and people started coming to Judy and Darrel's house, bringing food and other things. Judy can seem to hold up well through this, but I found her crying in the bedroom more than once. Darrel is also taking it so hard...and Cherie. None of us can imagine life without Richie. I had to go and tell Aunt Bev the terrible news and she feels so bad. She is in a nursing home for rehab after falling in the hospital and breaking the bones in her right leg. This morning Judy told me that Darrel got up to use the bathroom at 6 AM and came back to bed and cried and cried for 2 hours. This is so heartbreaking. At 10, their son, Jason, got here from Florida and Rich's son, Alex, got here from Arizona. At 10:45 they had to go to the funeral home,and the cemetery, so I stayed at their house to take phone calls and answer the door. Lots of phone calls and people stopping by. A dear friend of mine came to be with me and that meant so much. They got home from the funeral home and Judy said she thought picking out Mom's casket was the hardest thing she'd ever do, but that this was even worse. The rest of the day was people coming and calling. Many times there would be calls to the home phone and cell phones at the same time. There is so much food there we don't know how it will all get eaten and have put lots in the freezer. Judy and Darrel went today to buy clothes for Richie. None of his clothes are here and gosh...this is just all so hard. Rich's autopsy was at 1:00 today in Bismarck. They had to do that because it was an unattended death and under investigation. They said it would take 2 1/2 hours. Then he would be brought to Minot to Thomas Funeral Home. We don't know yet if there can be a reviewal. So, my dear Richie is here now...omgosh...I just can't stand this. He will be buried in the same cemetery as Mom and Dad, but about two sections away from theirs. I know I shouldn't think about it, but I keep picturing Richie falling from that tower. They figure it was equal to falling from a 5 or 6 story building. I can't stand the thought of him falling. The fear he must have felt. He had to have known he was going to die. I just can't stand it. I love him so much. He had paint all over him when they found him. I woke up this morn with swollen eyes and swollen lumps just above my eyebrows. I think it is sinus problems from all the crying and boy does it hurt. I am going to go to my Chiropractor Thursday and get acupuncture In hopes that will help. My throat also hurts and I don't know if I'm sick, or if it's from crying so much. Thursday will be the reviewal at the Funeral home from 2-7. We don't know if it will be an open casket. Maybe just open for the family. I can't stand the thought of seeing Richie in a casket. Friday at 10:30 is the funeral. Our lives are forever altered and I am really afraid of facing the days, weeks and months ahead. Maddie and Libby are doing pretty good now, but I was worried about Libby for a while. Every time I would pick her up, she would just growl and growl and keep on until I put her down. She wouldn't even let me soothe her. Her little world has been turned upside down too and she wasn't knowing how to deal with it. I finally gave her some rescue remedy and that helped her and I was able to hold and pet her. Maddie is much the same as when Mom died...depressed and laying around a lot. They have been home by themselves a lot as I don't want to take them to Judy's with all the people coming and going. Judy said to bring them, but I think it's best to let them be at home for now. Thanks and hugs to all! Connie