Kyla

May 3, 1978 - August 13, 2006

I'd like the memory of me to be a happy one, 

I'd like to leave an afterglow of smiles when life is done.

 I'd like to leave an echo whispering softly down the ways,

 of happy times and laughing times and bright and sunny days. 

I'd like the tears of those who grieve, 

to dry before the sun of happy memories that I leave when life is done.

National Day of Prayer.......May 3, 2007

The 56th Annual National Day of Prayer will take place Thursday, May 3, 2007 which just happens to be Kyla's 29th birthday. Even though this has been going on for years, I love the fact that it will fall on her birthday this year and choose to honor her life and memory with prayer. Please join us, her family, to pray for world peace and the healing and miracles for all who are seeking cures.

The theme for this year is "America, Unite in Prayer" and is based on the verse from II Chronicles 7:14 which states: "If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land." ~NIV

NATIONAL DAY OF PRAYER

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Time marches on even though we are missing Kyla so much. The celebration of life was nice and all of our families and many co-workers and friends attended. We had a gathering at our home following the service for family and Barb, Kristi and Mike outdid themselves providing all of the food and drinks. I felt in a fog for that day/evening and still do sometimes. All we can do is take each day one at a time. 

The inurnment was done on September 5th. Brian, Jill, Wade, Kelli, Emma, Dave, I and Dave's parents were all there and decorated her memorial with a tribute to her life. I will try to put a picture up later when I have one. Brian and Charo have gone back to Spain. Brian is preparing to begin a new job this next week and looking for a place to live. He has been pretty homesick especially given all that has happened in our family lately. He was undecided if he wanted to go back but decided to give it a try at least until Christmas. He will be coming home for the holidays and perhaps will be feeling a little better by then.

Jill and Kelli are keeping quite busy and seem to be coping. I know they miss Kyla like crazy. We sorted through Kyla's belongings because Jed moved last weekend. So I think most things are taken care of now. Emma has begun a new school and is playing soccer. Little Lucy is with new day care providers and seems to be doing OK. We have been able to keep the girls every weekend since Kyla's service which really helps me with missing her.

Perhaps I will update this once in a while to keep everyone updated on the girls.

A slide show like this was played at Kyla's memorial service. She loved this first song and it somehow speaks of how she felt about family. The second song was one I chose because it just speaks to me of her life song. The third song her siblings chose to go with the photos of her with her girls.

Make photo slide shows at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Celebration of Life Service

A Celebration of Life for Kyla will be held at the First Christian Church, 1166 Oak Street in Eugene on Saturday, August 19, 2006 at 6:00 p.m. Inurnment will follow at a later date at Springfield Memorial Gardens.

Driving Directions: Oak St. is a one-way street headed North. It is bordered by Pearl St. to the East (a one-way street headed South), and Willamette St. to the West (a two-way street). First Christian Church is just off the corner of 12th and Oak. The parking lot is behind the church, accessible from Willamette St. If you are headed to Eugene from the I-5 freeway, you can take the I-105 exit. Follow I-105 West until it ends, and turns into Jefferson St. Jefferson St. heads South, and you can then turn left onto 13th Ave, heading East. Follow 13th until Oak St -- turn left on Oak, and the Church will be on your left after 1 block.

Below is Kyla's obituary. If you click on the image it will be come large enough to read.

Goodbye To Our Lovely Kyla

Kyla passed away at 3:10 pm today.

All of us (Brian, Jill, Kelli, Wade, Charo, Dave and I) were with her. She did not suffer and went very peacefully just as we prayed. We were so very blessed to have her for as long as we did and to take care of her until the end. God blessed her with so many wonderful people that cared about her and we wish to thank everyone who expressed that to her and to us. All of the donations, cards, and phone calls are so very much appreciated. We have been surrounded by love all the way through this process. I will let everyone know the date, time and place for the celebration of life as soon as we find out more details. We are hoping for this next Saturday.

The day before Kyla passed away I sent Jill and Kelli to buy a pair of pajamas for Kyla that she could be wearing at the end. They did a beautiful job and came back with pale pink silk pajamas and a surprise for me. They could not resist. They bought three pairs of gnome pajamas, one for each of them and one for me. So last night they made me put on mine and Dave took a picture of us. Silly girls. I know this is something that Kyla was laughing at...my dislike for gnomes was a great source of entertainment for her as well as her siblings. I want to also note that Jill and Kelli took the time to put matching polish on Kyla's toes and their own the evening prior to her death. One last thing to do together. Such love.

Today

Kyla is sleeping all the time now and after talking with Hospice we have her tremors which turned out to be small seizures under control. Hospice could not send anyone out when I requested it because they are short staffed so I worked with the nurse on phone duty. She was very helpful but I could really use some support to know about time and things. A woman in contact with us was kind enough to direct me to a web site that she had made up for end of life and what to expect for brain tumor patients. After taking care of her father she felt this was something that was needed. Indeed it did help me tremendously as the nurse from hospice had never gone over these things with me.

I also talked with my mom who has taken care of many dying patients and she was able to walk me through some things to expect as well. She was probably the most helpful of all to me both medically and emotionally. Thank you mom! I love you tremendously.

Jill and Kelli spent last night and are spending tonight with us and we are taking turns staying in the room with Kyla since we know that the time is near. Her breathing is very ragged and slowing somewhat. Dave moved an easy chair in her room for us to sit in. I could not bear it if she was alone.

Update

We are seeing a very rapid decline. Kyla did not respond to much at all today. Yesterday she slept most of the day but was able to rouse enough to eat dinner herself at the table with very little help from me. I had to feed her breakfast and lunch but she was awake and able to eat although had difficulty moving food to the back of her throat. When I checked her at 2:00 am, she had a very bad headache but was unable to answer me when I asked her about her pain....just nodded. I gave her the pain meds and she seemed to be able to rest after that. Her eyes were open this morning for her bath but she does not have any muscle control much now. She did not respond much at all today, just a few brief moments, one of those was when her friend, Teresa and her daughter, Delaney were here. She opened her eyes and motioned for Delaney to come to her and stroked her arm for a few minutes before going back to sleep.

Barb came and spent the morning with us yesterday and the nurse also made a visit. Kyla is having tremors off and on and her feet and hands, especially her left hand, are posturing. Jill helped me today to take her to bathroom and because it seems to be so hard on her I decided we should probably not move her from the bed any longer. It just seems to take so much out of her. She woke up tonight around 10:30 and said hi to Dave and responded with a nod that her head hurt. She was able to swallow her medications for seizures and pain crushed in applesauce followed by a couple of sips of water. She ate very little today, just a few bites and sips. I feel time is short for her. Maybe tomorrow will be better.