3 weeks

It has now been 3 weeks since we lost mom, and we are all headed back into life. We have all had a huge change in our lives, especially Philip. Who is now living with my dad and grandmother. This transition seems to be going well. Please pray for him as the reality of life starts to sink in.
Loosing our mom has really made us realize the importance of every day and also that life needs to be lived with a positive attitude, it can make the biggest difference in dealing with each day.
We want to strive to live better lives. We also want to live long, and live well, and happy.
We all miss our mom very much, for Aaron and I mom was our sounding board, our friend and the one who gave us advice, love and support. It is very different now, and we both feel very robbed of her love, and her presence.
I will admit it is hard not to be mad at God, for allowing us to loose our mom in the middle of her life. It seems unfair, unjust and unreal. However it is real, this is the new reality, and I keep wondering if this ache in my heart will ever go away.
I talked once to my mom about how important she was to me, and in the context of the conversation we were having was about putting my trust in God, and I was finding very hard to do in the midst of infertility. She asked me if I had made her my God. I was shocked at first, but I realized she was right. I trusted my mom with everything, because she would give me answers, a hug, or a kind word of support. In the midst of great heart ache being childless I had made my mom more important than my God and Saviour. This all took place before she was diagnosed with cancer the 2nd time. I had to work very hard at making sure that my mom stayed my mom, and not put her before God because all though she was my hero, she was still human, and she was dying of cancer. My mom is gone now, and my sounding board is missing, my hero has flown the coop, gone on to bigger and better things. Now I must put my trust in my heavenly father, hard to do, when I don't understand the reasons that my mom is not here. At first I was at peace, but now my heart just aches, and my spirit is crying out God for support, love and understanding. My best friend is MIA in the Heaven's, Praise the Lord! But I am here, mourning, collecting all the stones that I have thrown. One day at a time, mom said, so I live one day at a time.

Please continue to pray for us, please pray for peace, assurance and courage to face each day with Joy, love and Hope.

In Christ's Love,

Alida and Family

Life must move on.

It has been just over 2 weeks since we lost mom, we have wepted, gone through many a kleenex, We have laughed, got frustrated, and missed our mom. Last week us kids and my dad spent the entire week packing, moving and going through my mom's life. At times it just didn't seem fair that we were going through mom's house deciding who gets what, and going through mom's life with a fine tooth comb. There were things that we learned about my mom that we did not know, and there were things that reminded us about the love my mom had for us kids.
The memorial service was perfect for mom, and we could not have been more proud of our mom on that day. What a relief it was to have the memorial service done and over with.
My husband Tom and I and our Baby Tori, are back in Ontario, just got home last night. Over the last two weeks we really have not had the chance to real mourn, so over the course of the next while who knows what emotions will be unveiled.
We have been overwhelmed with all the love and support since the passing of our mom, daughter, sister and friend.
Mom's ashes are buried at Eden brook Cemetery, I am not sure of the plot number but mom is in good company at least that is what the lady said that works at the cemetery.
It is hard to believe that my mom is really gone from this world. I keep thinking I should phone mom and tell her that we got home safe and sound. I will miss talking to my mom everyday, the advice she was always willing to give, and the warmth of her laugh. People often say, you forget what her voice sounds like, I have her laugh, and I want to laugh, so that I will remember that her blood, love and hope lives in me.
Please continue to lift up my brothers and myself, and the rest of family in prayer, the mourning does not stop after the funeral. As we learn to live in a new normal, one with out our mom, it will bring days of anger, sadness, frustration, but I also pray that it will bring us days of hope, joy and laughter too, as we live to remember our mom. Our hero. The mighty mouse.
I was not sure if I should keep the blog going, but I will, for who ever wants to keep up on Mom's crew!
May the Peace of Christ dwell in you this day!

Alida, and Family

Memorial Service

Our family is busy planning and preparing for wilma's funeral. We have much to do yet before this happens. However the basic's are arranged.
Mom had asked that there be no visitation or viewing.
The Funeral will be held:

11:00am on Friday, October 8
At Emmanuel Christian Reformed Church
3020 51st Street SW, Calgary Alberta

A light Luncheon will be held after the service.

The burial of the urn will be for immediate family only prior to the memorial service.

Flowers may be sent to: 4231 45th Street SW.

We wanted to also thank all the love and support that we have recieved. We are truly amazed with the out pouring of love on our family. Through facebook, and phone calls. We feel very upheld in prayer and support.

With Love in Christ,

Alida, and Family

"Welcome Home Wilma"-Jesus

Today my mom passed into Glory at around 3:45 pm on October 2nd, 2010. She died peacefully in my brother Aaron's arms. Words can not describe the feeling of our hearts.

I sit here trying to write the right words down, and my heart is heavy and it is hard to see through my tears. But I promised I would finish this journey with mom, and so I must see this blog through.

Mom fought hard, with every resource she had, however cancer won the battle, but mom won the war. She believed and so do I, that no matter what the outcome was, she was going to win the war. She leaves behind a family that loved her dearly, friends that admired her truly, and co-workers that appreciated her talents, and her love of nursing, teaching, and life.

Our family would love to thank all those who gave mom your true support, love, encouragement, food, a laugh, and company. The decline of her health was faster than expected, and yet our family is relieved that her suffering is over. As she lay at rest, she looked peaceful, relieved, and content. This is something that we have not seen in a few weeks. Although our hearts ache and our minds begin to think of the work that will need to be done in the coming days, we are at peace in knowing that Mom went to be with her declared King of Kings our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.

In Mom's Bible beside her bed, she has James 1 tagged. I would like to share with you James 1:12:

"Blessed is Wilma who endured a great trial for when she stood the test she received the crown of life which God has promised to her, because she loved her God.

"Welcome Home Wilma Welcome home"

We do not know final funeral arrangements at this time, but once we know I will post them on the blog.

With Love in Christ,

Alida and Family