The Week In Review

Friday - August 7, 2009

I've decided to write what we've been up to the last week. I'm usually with Mom on the weekend, but this past weekend Bill and I started out in Cincinnati on Friday, went on to Osseo Saturday, and then back to Cincinnati on Wednesday. We had wanted to head North before we did, but we had to wait until Mom got her tooth pulled! As stated in an earlier posting Mom had to wait until she had been off her Plavix before the tooth could be pulled. The tooth was pulled, and Mom is doing great!!!!!

Once we knew Mom was going to be okay, we then planned our trip North. When I'm not home, Bill browses the Internet and looks to see if there are any concerts that are relatively close we might go and enjoy. July 31, 2009 was a date he had us going to Cincinnati to see Crosby, Stills, and Nash. The first set of pictures show the three on stage performing at Riverbend in Cincinnati, Ohio. It was a great concert, and we enjoyed ourselves tremendously.

Stephen Stills, Graham Nash, and David Crosby

The highlight of our week was the time we spent with our grand-daughter, Cora Ann. She has grown so much in the two months we hadn't seen her other than in pictures. Thank goodness for the computer because we can see updated photos when they are posted. Many may think because we are retired we should be able to go whenever the mood strikes. It just doesn't work that way in reality. We are so thankful we were able to spend time with our special little angel! She had grown so much; was so much more observant; and was cooing and as Bill says "she said I love you Granddad!" :):) We all know that might be just a little premature, but one day, she will tell her Granddad that! The following are a few more pictures of our precious Cora Ann.

Our blue-eyed beauty!!! Love this outfit!

Cora chewing on her "chains" - we think she may be teething!!!

Cora trying out her new "jumper" - she was starting to get he hang of how to bounce while sitting in the seat. She loves all the animals and lights connected to the jumper!

Bath time is so much more enjoyable than the first bath we saw her take! :):)

Look how relaxed she is during the "rinse" cycle! :):)

Another one of her favorite toys to watch. The music it plays may drive the adults a little crazy, but Cora loves it - and that's all that matters! She will lay and kick her legs and swing those arms!!!

Molly is Cora's protector!!!!!

Hi Mammaw! I chewing on "Lumpy" swinging away!!!!

Molly is always on guard . . .

. . . but sometimes she wants to lay beside her Granddad too!

We left Osseo Wednesday, July 5 - it was a year ago that John passed away. Bill realized it was going to be a rough day, and he got tickets for us to see the Reds play the Cubs. We left MI and headed for Cincinnati! I still felt the loss, hurt, pain, and worried about how Laurie, the kids, Mom, and my brothers were doing. John's death hit us all pretty hard. This was going to be a tough day for us all!

We hadn't been to a Reds game in a long time, so Bill thought this might be one way to help me not to think about the date as much. It helped, and we had a great time at the game - the Reds won 4 - 0; they had lost eight games in row, so it was time for a win! Hmmmmm - maybe they would want us to attend more games so they could win! :):)

Our view from our seats behind home plate - section 223 - Row A - seats 1 and 2.

Looking at the Reds on the field!

The new score board!

The Cubs on the field!

This past week went quickly - especially the time went spent with Cora. It seems as we get older time seems to fly by even faster. As a child, I can remember thinking I wish I were 16, 18, 21, 25, 29 - I stopped at 29!!!! :):):) I always told John he could have all the birthdays!

I will be posting a review later which will include the set list Crosby, Stills, and Nash performed in Cincinnati. We do have some who read the blog who enjoy hearing about the concerts we attend. Hope and pray all have a great weekend!!!!

Smile - Mammaw has the Camera!

Friday - August 7, 2009

Bill and I just returned from a visit up North. We were visiting with David, Jeni, Cora, and Molly. We had a nice visit and were just amazed at how much Cora has grown. She was so alert and really active. She followed her Mommy and Daddy with her eyes when she heard their voice. It was a joy to be able to to hold, cuddle, feed, and rock Cora. She smiled and cooed a lot as well as drooled - we believe she is starting that dreadful period of teething. The pain of those teeth trying to come through - bless her little heart. She is on a schedule of going to bed at 7:00 and sleeping most night until 7:00 the next morning - any parents dream come true, I shoul think! She takes a nap during the morning and the afternoon. She was such a happy baby while we were there - except for when it appeared her teething may have been a painful nuisance! Trying to capture her sweet smile was my goal this past visit - it was tough! She would see the camera and away the grin would go - but I was able to capture the pre-grin and in some instances the full grin!! We may be prejudice, but we think she is the most beautiful baby ever! :):)

Cora playing with "Lumpy" while swinging!

Granddad and Cora having quality time together!

Our blue-eyed angel almost ready to smile for Mammaw!

Is that a smile I see? Cora ready for a walk!

Hey Mammaw - I'm a happy girl!!!!!

Granddad trying to soothe a little girl who may be having teething issues! Look at the tears in her eyes! Poor baby!

Hey Granddad, I love you too!

Look Mammaw, I'm practicing for when I start to crawl!!!

"How's this smile Mammaw?"

Just before we left Wed - we finally got a big smile!!!! Look how precious!

Three Brothers and a Sister

Wednesday- August 5, 2009

A year ago today,we lost one of our brothers! The two remaining brothers are very special as was John. We grew up in a loving home, where we may have had our squabbles, but when it came down to it, we protected each other! Dink being the oldest tended to look after Mike since he was the youngest. John and I looked after one another - after all we were twins and that's what twins are suppose to do. It might have appeared that we had paired ourselves up and that there would be even "teams" when a squabble would arise. Hmmmm - somehow the teams were three against one - guess who the one was!!!!!!! Regardless of all the disagreements and skirmishes, we loved each other dearly. We also had respect for one another, and would seek each others advice and help.

The following picture is one of my favorites. A photographer came to the house to take this photo. He had us sitting on the back of the couch, and I remember I was afraid I would fall! I'm really not sure how Mom and Dad had the extra money to have this picture taken - but I'm glad they did!

Dink, John. Sue, and Mike

We enjoyed doing things together - not just having our pictures taken though! We loved to play ball in the backyard with all the neighborhood "boys!" Yes, I said boys!!! It just so happened our neighborhood was polluted with boys! I was as big a "tom boy" as they come! I became one of the boys when an extra player was needed for the games!!! Ahhh - I didn't mind - I thought of all of them as my brothers too!!!!

Very seldom did we get the luxury of eating ice cream, but when we did, it was ohhh soooo goooood! :)

One of our favorite persons in the world was our Pappaw Layne. We loved him very much, and we know he loved us! :) Dink, John, and I would spend many weeks out of the summer staying with my grandparents at the head of "a holler!" We would help them with the crops and anything else they might have needed help with during the summer.

Dink, Pappaw, Mike, Sue, John

Here we are helping decorate the Christmas tree! Well at least three of us are pretending too!!!

Dink, Sue. John. Mike

There were times when we wanted to stay close together no matter what. I remember having scarlet tina and the doctor said keep the boys away from Sue!!! Hmmmm - look what happened!

In the following picture, I was suppose to have been kept away from the boys - hmmm guess they didn't heed Mom's warning!!!!

As w e got older, started out own lives, with our own families, the closeness we forged as youngsters growing up in the west end of Huntington never faded away. As when we were kids, the boys always teamed up against me!!!!!! The following picture shows a little of some of their orneriness!!!

This was taken prior to Bobby's wedding - notice what John is doing to me!

Mom, Sue; John, Mike, Dink

In this photo, Mike gets in on the action. I'm sure Dink would have, but he was the father of the groom and had to ACT refine and dignified!

Dink is the oldest; the rock we always counted on for advice and help. Back on Feb 13, 2009 he suffered a severe stroke and a heart attack a couple of days later. It has been a struggle for him. His wife of 32 years, Rhonda, has been his caregiver since even before that date. Dink has had several heart attacks and has managed to recover. He is continually making progress, but has much more to do!! We love you Dink with all our heart, and are praying that God's will is that you will make a complete recovery!

Dink as a toddler!

Dink's stroke left him paralyzed on his right side and he has also suffered his loss of speech. He has come a long way and has shown so much progress. I love you Dink Layne!

Dink was attending Cora Ann's dedication picnic!
Ahhhh, here comes the baby of the family, Mike. HE was nick-named cotton-tail by a neighbor because of his blond hair. Mike may be the youngest, but he has raised two fine kids who have decided what they wanted to do with their lives and are striving to reach that goal! Mike has been a tremendous help to Mom. Dink and John were her "handy men" - they could and would fix anything that was wrong. Now Mike has stepped up to the plate to do it solo!

This picture shows why Mike was called "Cotton Top" - notice his head full of blond hair!!!! Must have been placed in a "play pen" - just kidding - we loved playing in the old tires as Mammaw and Pappaw's!

Mike and Debbie on their wedding day!

Mike and I love Dink better than anything. Our big brother, our rock, our advisor, is under the weather at the moment. We love him better than anything, and we pray for his continued recovery.

Mike wheeled Dink around at Cora's dedication picnic - Mike would do anything to help his big brother - and so would I!! We love you Dink!

What can be sadder than having Dink suffer the stroke and trying to recover from it? One year ago today, one of the saddest things happened, we lost one of our brothers. He went home to be with our Lord and Saviour, and his Heavenly family. John Philip Layne passed away at home and is greatly missed by us all. Dink, Mike, and I lost one of the most generous and happy person we knew. He was willing to do anything for anyone - even though he may have had no idea as what he needed to do. Mom seemed to hold up pretty well - we three siblings were devastated - angry - hurt - and trying to stay strong all at the same time. We miss you John and love you so very much. We can't even imagine how Laurie and the kids are feeling and have felt. The one thing that has helped us all is that John was a good Christian man with a heart full of love for all he met. We know that he has gone home to receive his rewards and that he has joined Dad in Heaven and they are both watching over us!

John and Laurie -the love of his life and the mother of his children!

We miss you John P. Layne!!!!

I grew up with three fantastic brothers! I'm sure when Dink and Mike read this they are going to say, "What does she want?" :):) Each of my brothers have different personalities, and because of that, they were and are unique. I love them more than anything, and would have not traded them for any others!!!!

Three brothers and a sister have had a life time of memories and life time of love!!!!! I love my brothers!!!!!!

Where Does the Time Go?

Monday - Auust 3, 2009

As I sit here thinking about time and all that has taken place in my life, I wonder how can time go by so quickly? As a teenager, I didn't think I would ever get old enough to do things without asking permission from Mom and Dad - then poof - I'm an adult and old enough to make those decisions I so wanted to make. Those of you that know my mother and me may think - hmmmm - you still ask your mother. :) Not really - I just do it out of love and respect - I don't ask; I gently say I'm going . . . . :):)

Bill and I are with David and Jeni, and we are enjoying the time we have with them and our precious Cora Ann (and Molly too -who is a sweetheart). It was a year ago today that David called and told us the fantastic news - they were going to have a baby!!!! Those were sweet words to our ears! The excitement we heard in their voices was a joy to our hearts. All grandparents were so happy! . . . . and now we have a precious granddaughter who is growing like a weed!

It seems like the year has just flown by so quickly. I keep a journal of sorts and as I look back over what has happened in the last year, it is a little overwhelming. If the years ahead seem to go by as quickly, then we are going to have another little girl who had grown up and is making her own decisions. I hope these years don't come and go that fast! Cora is such a doll baby - you just want to hold and squeeze her all the time. :):)

I hope and pray that her life is full of joy and happiness and with little or no sadness. She is such a happy little baby girl - that smile can melt your heart! I know that Bill and I (along with her other grandparents) think she is the tops!!!! I will be posting some pictures later!

I still can't believe she is a little over four months old! It seems like only yesterday!!!! Where has the time gone???????

Dear John

Sunday - August 2, 2009

Dear John,

Sounds like the beginning of a letter to tell the one you love you don't love them anymore! :):) But that's not going to be that kind of letter! It has been a year today since I have heard your voice. You always called Mom at 9:00 every morning, and sometimes you would call back during the day! A year ago it was a Saturday, and you knew that Todd, Cassie , and I were painting Mom's bathroom! I guess you called back to check on our progress! :):) You wanted to make sure I had bought the right kind of paint - so like you John to make sure I was doing it the right way!!! You were satisfied with what I had bought and gave me your approval! :):):)

So much has happened since you left us - but then, you probably already know all about them. I can hear your laugh and see that grin of yours, and even hear you say, "Ah Sis, I already know this stuff. You need to get yourself together because you have been crying way to much! I am fine and Dad and I have been having a grand old time up here with our heavenly family."

I'm sure you know the times that I have thought about you and cried because you weren't here. Other times I am so mad because you left - I know I shouldn't be, but sometimes I can't help it! When you died, part of me died also. We have been together in spirit since before our birth. I know there is a reason God called you home when He did, and I know we aren't suppose to question these things. It just hurts so bad not to be able to talk to you and tell you all about Cora Ann!

left - John; right - Sue

I can't even imagine how Laurie and the kids feel! That empty feeling is still as strong today as it was a year ago. As a family they are going on as you would want them to! Laurie is still taking classes and you would be so proud. The kids are growing like weeds and will forever more be told stories about their Pappaw! John, you are loved and missed by everyone whose lives crossed your path!

I am writing this letter to you in parts, because this way I can see or concentrate much better due to no tears. I will program it to post on August 2 - the last day I heard your voice. You were asking me if I bought the right kind of paint for the bathroom. Hundreds of miles away and you were still telling me what I need to do. You were always a fixer upper - sometimes we wondered if your ways would work or not! We loved teasing you, and you were always so good natured at taking the ribbing. You always tried to help whomever might be in need. You were a blessing in disguise!

As I sit here writing this I am holding tears back. So much HAS happened in the past year. Not only have we had to accept your death and leaving us, but we are also trying to deal with Dink's recovery from the stroke and heart attack he suffered in February. Mike and I are doing what we can for Mom, but it sure was easier when you and Dink were able to help do what needed to be done. Mike is doing a great job with trying to keep the little things fixed that you always seemed to do when you came in - such as leaky faucets! He also tries to keep the grass mowed which Dink would usually do during the days he would come down and check on Mom. Billy tries to fill in and stays with Mom a couple of nights a week as well as taking her to the store. We are all trying our best to do what we can for her! Actually, we are doing what she will allow us to do!!! :)

Todd and Cassie got married in May - on Dawn's birthday - and Laurie along with JD and Darcie were there! It was so good to see them. We try to stay in contact with phone calls and the computer. Laurie will call at 9:00 when she's not working just like you always did! Mom loves that! I hear from your kids and Laurie using the Internet -we will always stay in contact with them!

I'm sure you and Dad know about Dink and the stoke he suffered. He is doing better, but still has a long way to go. HE told Rhonda that Jesus spoke to him during the stroke and told him it wasn't time for him to come home yet. We know God has a plan for us all and He knows when our time is to go home.

The highlight of the year came in March. Bill and I have a grand-daughter, Cora Ann Hardin. She is such a sweetheart and has already captured our hearts!!! I had just found out the Sunday before you passed away that we were to become grandparents I didn't get to tell you personally, but I know you already know and would have told me how wonderful it is to have grandchildren. I pray that Cora will love me as much as your grandchildren love you!

This feeling of emptiness I feel will never go away. But, I'm sure it will become more bearable, just like Dad's has. I miss him just as much and he has been gone for almost four years. Letting him go was hard even though we were all able to tell him good-bye. HE told us he was ready to go Home; I know you were ready to go Home in that you had done as God had asked all his children to do. You believed with all your heart that Jesus was the Son of God and our Lord and Savior. You prayed everyday for forgiveness of all sins, and you prayed for those who were not saved. You tried to do everything God wanted us all to do. I am sure when you entered Heaven's gates, were told "job well done."

John, regardless of how long I live, I will always miss you, and I will shed tears because of this empty feeling without you here. It's the same way I feel when I think of Dad. I know you are both together and that makes be happy.

I love you John Philip Layne!!!!!!! . . . . . . and always will my dear brother!

Your loving sister,

Sue

PS: Just a quick note to say there is not a day that goes by that someone comes up with a "John" story and a "Pappaw" story. The time we had together has created memories that will live on forever - from generation to generation! I know that when August 5 comes - it will be an extremely sad day, for Laurie and the kids as well as for Mom and the rest of us back here. We all just need to remember where you are and that one day, we will all be together again!

PSS: My first written words of sorrow laced in your online condolence book!

August 07, 2008
Words will never convey the loss we all feel. John was special - he was my twin, my friend, and my protector when growing up. His laugh, words of advice - right or wrong - are forever more embedded in my mind and heart. John loved life and loved his family even more. He was a giver and seldom would he take! He was a son, a brother, a husband, father, and grandfather. But, most importantly he was a child of God's and was called home to be with Him. I will miss him, and I know Laurie, Dawn, JD, and Linnie will miss him even more. Brian, Darcie, and Nate, Emily, Alex, Courtney, Jana, Aaron, Caleb, Brooke, and Allie G will miss him as well. May God be with you as you adjust to life without John here on earth. He and Papaw are having a great reunion! I love you all! Sue