We have pretty much finished up at the apartment. There are a few more things we need to take care of - like emptying the storage room on the second floor. But, we were able to peek into it and it doesn't look bad, just a large suitcase and two-three boxes. So grateful things don't appear to be thrown into it, but stacked. We will probably go over this morning and take care of it.
My daughter wasn't thrilled when I suggested a day of rest today - after all, it is Sunday. I know we need to get it done and she has been such a great help. She has been the pusher to keep at it and get it done. If we didn't come out here, honestly, they would have been working on it for at lesat another month. Yes, the apartment was that bad... but it is more the midwest process of a sloth. Everyone out here works at a slow pace. LOL I laughed yesterday when my daughter used that term, but it was correct. We would have liked to get an early start every morning, but it has been around noon before we could get out of here. I think a minimum of 5 car loads have been taken over to Goodwill. That doesn't count what we threw away. I'm thinking we are finished except for what Goodwill will pick up and what my brother needs to take.
My neck has been still very painful but I have been pushing through. I'm still praying that God will completely heal it - immediately, of course. This week of all weeks to have neck pain! I don't mind hard work, but it is difficult to stay focused when my neck twinges and chills shoot through my body. But for the most part, I forget about the discomfort when I am working. It is when I pause to think about what I'm doing.
It really has been difficult to go through my sister's 'things' and pack, throw away, decide what to keep for someone. It has been very difficult. It has shown me that we definitely need to have things in place for when that final day comes, you are never ready. Sister had told brother that everything was in place. She lied. But in fairness, she did have her crypt paid for. I know she had a book at one time titled 'When I die' - but we have been unable to locate it. She had told me about it a few years back and she ordered me one. No, Ihaven't filled it out yet. I think I started it. Going through this, I may just finish it when I get home. Not fair to anyone to have to walk thorugh this journey with all the questions we have had.
I guess we are having a potluck today and my sister's son who lives here and his family are coming over as well as our niece and her family. Swim and hamburgers on the grill. It was planned yesterday afternoon when we came here after finishing up yesterday. It will be nice to see everyone. I think my daughter and I will head over to the apartment for a quick look-see at the storage unit this morning. I did need the rest, although I was up about two hours after we went to bed. We ate late for me, and the pizza and breadsticks/cheese decided it didn't have enough time to digest. I've been awake for a bit, thanks to my neck. Wish I could just hibernate in here today.
The obit has been uploaded and can be found at Conkle.com. The funeral home will update with date/time once everything else gets in place. I think they are pushing now for Tuesday morning. Which means my time for preparation is getting much shorter and I do need to try and work on it sometime today. I wish I could have found my notes from my brother's funeral 20 years ago. It's never easy, but the one thing my mentor told me years ago when I did my brothers' funeral... "just remember, it isn't about you, it's about the person who died". And that is correct. Same with a wedding; it's about the bride and groom.
I apologize that my ramblings the past few days are full of personal things. Part of it is to keep me focused and on track for why we are here. Also to update on what we are doing. I feel like I've lost some time somewhere, and I'm struggling to catch up. Now that the apartment is basically finished, the funeral plans are in place, once the funeral is over, perhaps we can focus on returning home. It will be good to be back in my own bed, although this one is very comfortable!
Indiana is having a heat wave... and both - my daughter and I - wear our sweaters in the morning and evening. During the day we definitely work up a sweat in the aparmtent! Even I do - and I don't sweat! A turtle cluster blizzard yesterday helped cool me down. That was our breakfast/lunch.
I guess I will stop my rambling and get dressed. It doesn't sound like anyone is up yet, but I am sure my daughter is. It's not even 6AM yet at home, but we both don't get to sleep late as a rule. I prefer getting up early and having some time with God. He starts my day off and keeps me on track.
Think I'm going to just enjoy this quiet for a few minutes. I need a hug from my Abba this morning. I need His strength for today.
Blessings!
