Wednesday, April 18, 2007
Louisville, MS (Willie Only) - April 11-15
Willie flew to Jackson, since the fare was less than half the amount to fly to Columbus. The trip started out pleasantly with Willie having dinner with a family friend in Jackson near the airport. A two-hour drive brought Willie to the Red Hills Inn in Louisville, which had become the place to stay while visiting Ann. When Willie was checking in, the clerk told her a "young man" was there to meet her. It was a surprise visit from nephew Michael Barry from Rock Island, IL. What a pleasant surprise it was! Willie went immediately to his room (waking him up!) for a brief visit before getting settled.
Mike was able to stay for two days and helped Willie with most of the unpleasant tasks. We cleared out Ann's room at the nursing home. We were able to borrow the truck of a friend, who also fortunately took all the stuff we did not want. Everything that was going to Cathy's family in Illinois was loaded into Mike's car, and it fit perfectly. What a joy not to have to pack it all up for shipping and to know that it would arrive safely and quickly! Mike was also able to visit the undertaker with Willie, and they set up the arrangements for Ann's cremation and memorial service, which will be held on Monday, June 25, at the Mt Carmel Cemetery in Noxapater, where all the Kilpatrick relatives are buried.
Mike was also able to visit a couple of family friends & relatives with Willie in between tasks. Unfortunately, Mike had left before Willie's most unpleasant meeting with the new pastor at Noxapater Baptist Church. He spent more time trying to proselytise Willie than discussing Ann's service. Luckily, he will not be available the day of the funeral, since we hadn't wanted him to participate anyway! Ann left specific instructions for her service, and it can be done nicely with members of the family.
Now Willie is back with Doug and the cats and life continues. It feels strange for her to be "an orphan", but it's what happens in the "normal pattern" of life. We will both miss Ann very much. It's hard to realize that the next visit to MS will not have her as a part of it.
Mike was able to stay for two days and helped Willie with most of the unpleasant tasks. We cleared out Ann's room at the nursing home. We were able to borrow the truck of a friend, who also fortunately took all the stuff we did not want. Everything that was going to Cathy's family in Illinois was loaded into Mike's car, and it fit perfectly. What a joy not to have to pack it all up for shipping and to know that it would arrive safely and quickly! Mike was also able to visit the undertaker with Willie, and they set up the arrangements for Ann's cremation and memorial service, which will be held on Monday, June 25, at the Mt Carmel Cemetery in Noxapater, where all the Kilpatrick relatives are buried.
Mike was also able to visit a couple of family friends & relatives with Willie in between tasks. Unfortunately, Mike had left before Willie's most unpleasant meeting with the new pastor at Noxapater Baptist Church. He spent more time trying to proselytise Willie than discussing Ann's service. Luckily, he will not be available the day of the funeral, since we hadn't wanted him to participate anyway! Ann left specific instructions for her service, and it can be done nicely with members of the family.
Now Willie is back with Doug and the cats and life continues. It feels strange for her to be "an orphan", but it's what happens in the "normal pattern" of life. We will both miss Ann very much. It's hard to realize that the next visit to MS will not have her as a part of it.
# posted by Doug and Willie @ 11:16 PM 
