"13Brothers, we do not want you to be ignorant about those who fall asleep, or to grieve like the rest of men, who have no hope. 14We believe that Jesus died and rose again and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him. 15According to the Lord's own word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left till the coming of the Lord, will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep. 16For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud...

She's shutting down...not eating or drinking much at all or speaking. She can hear me, though. I've been reminiscing about all the fun we've had over the years: the trips, the cooking projects, the family and especially the many antics of my beloved Dobermans whom she loved so much.

I've read Matthew 22 to her; I've sung Amazing Grace and It Is Well With My Soul. I've sung some of her favorite childhood songs to her. Tonight - and every night from now until the end - I will be sleeping...

Yeah, I'm pretty much there. Haven't slept for the last few nights due to Mom's calling me constantly...pretty much every half hour-on-the-hour. So I'm pretty punchy. It feels like some kind of freakish nightmare. Most of the time she just wants to know where I am. Sometimes we cry together...sometimes I give her pain meds or mild sedatives if she needs them. She's just fading away, and it is utterly HORRIBLE to watch. I now often lower the rail to the hospital bed, and gather her in my arms and...

My brother brought Dad to the ER yesterday because the poor man could barely walk due to dizziness. Apparently his heart is beginning to fail. I don't know what the immediate danger is because they will do the usual routine of over-testing. I'm about to jump into the shower and will visit him this morning, as soon as Mom's private aide arrives. More later...

I'm not for celebrating my birthday, and this year I completely forgot about it - that is until my eldest (and favorite) niece called me up, singing . Later in the day, my best friend, whom I've known since the playpen brought over a cake, ice cream, a homemade chicken pot pie (delicious) and a HUGE bouquet of flowers which I had to place in several vases! She's such a kind and giving person; I'm so lucky to have her.

Mom is very quiet nowadays...not eating much and sleeping more...