Dear Don and Marilyn,
I've been reading the blog these many months, not having anything specific to contribute, but always admiring the grace with which you are embracing the next part of your journey. Funny how it's the little things that matter, I was reminded today of the pie auction at church a year or so ago when I couldn't help but keep bidding higher and higher for the single strawberry rhubarb pie on the table. My extravagance was supported by the fact that I knew I was supporting the high school youth's mission trip, many of those kids having been campers I bonded with as a counselor at Pilgrim Firs. That pie was the yummiest strawberry rhubarb I think I've ever had. What this all means to me, today, is the reminders I read every day in your journey to enjoy the moments, small as they may be, that make up all the days of our lives, be they brief or extended. That is a small part of the legacy my time in your congregation has left with me. Thank you, Don, for your inspiration, and thank you, Marilyn, for your smiles and exuberance.
Love,
Chrissy

Oh baby, am I jealous! I recall a salmon dinner at the Jamalzadas furnished by Pete and Sue and I can't blame you one bit for pigging out. I am a little sorry to hear that you've finally discovered you like rhubarb, though, Donel. That means less for me. :)

Thanks for letting us know of your "hookiness". I confess to feeling concerned when you weren't there Sunday morning. By the time I read the blog I had already seen Bobbi down at the Theatre Guild (for the closing of All My Sons - amazingly well done!) so I knew all was well but I bet if I had the worry others did too.

Erin bought you a trinket on our trip to Leavenworth. Hopefully it will find it's way to your pocket soon. Love to you all!

Hi Donel and Marilyn,
I'm glad you finally got the hang of enjoying rhubarb. We ate it a lot in New York growing up and I occasionally have it even in CA.
Every time I eat it I think of the time my mother was cooking rhubarb in the pressure cooker and got distracted by a phone call, only to have the entire batch of rhubarb blow the pressure gauge, shoot out through the vent of the pressure cooker and land on the ceiling. It looked like a forest of pink spanish moss, hanging from everything. What a mess! However that was less of a mess than the time the entire chicken went through the vent, shred by shred, to land on the ceiling. That time the ceiling got another coat of paint! Oh well, we all got a good laugh out of those two episodes.
Don, I'm glad to hear that you are still out and about, enjoying life. I was a little daunted to hear that you are having hospice care, but I must say, that service is wonderful and I'm sure it's very comforting to have that support in all aspects of life.
When we started our study group in Woodland Hills in the 70's with your blessing, we had no idea where that would lead us. I think I can safely say that all of us came to a new understanding of the cycle of life and death and all of us became more comfortable with the concept of moving on to a new dimension when the time comes. I loved your comment that baby Hazel chose great parents, I do believe that (many a time I've reminded Peri how lucky she was to have chosen us when we were putting up with her shennanigans). On the other end, I'm always curious to know what Alan is up to these days.
The thought of parting is always painful, but the assurance that it's only a change to another dimension is comforting and there is no fear involved. So that time, with your encouragement, has now come full circle as I read your blog daily.
Your whole family is in my prayers daily and I greatly appreciate you openness and generosity in sharing your thoughts and feelings so freely, it's a great learning experience.
Helen Ewald and Tish Johnson asked to be remembered to you since neither of them has a computer for email.
Much love to you all. Ruth

Well, it's about time! I've never really trusted California people who don't like rhurbarb. I'm glad I can finally trust you!

K

I've enjoyed reading about your commitment to rhubarb. I've thoroughly enjoyed it ALL of my life. And that is now approaching 81 years.

Two of my favorite uses of rhubarb has been as many of the bloggers laying it on you, has been that of making and enjoying, nay, savoring rhubarb/strawberry pie. The other has been that of making and thoroughly enjoying strawberry/rhubarb wine. Unfortunately I've given to my oldest son all of my winemaking equipment which enjoyed for many years, at least until we moved to Bellingham in 1982. And since I can't make wine I've also stopped sipping and enjoying it. But it was a delicious hobby for me. I suspect that the wine I made and which was perhaps my favorite was wine made from wild blackberries. Oh my, the picking and enjoying!!!

I think, Donel, in the fairly lengthy letter I sent you by snail-mail, I commented about some of the things Jan and I are going through right now. Next week, April 27th, we"re going to see Dr. Richard Jones about my left leg and small toes on my left foot. I had a doppler study made of the legs and confirmed that I have virtually no circulation of blood in my left leg, at least just a small amount. When we go to see him, I'm led to believe that he will talk to us about the best procedure to eliminate the pain and difficulty in walking. I suspect that he'll speak to us of the continued use of medication to relieve the pain and/or get better circultion of blood in the left leg. Another option, again I've been told, could very well be the procedure of removing the lower part of my leg, probably removing all just below the knee. Frankly, I guess just getting rid of the pain would be a big hit in my life. But I'd like to believe that if amputation just below the knee would remove pain and increase circulation I'd go for it in a heartbeat. But, at any rate, I suspect that amputation would be more to my liking as far as ultimate relief is concerned.

You know, Donel, I'm still convinced that, even without any documentation, that I'm in much better shape than perhaps 90 or 95 percent of people on this planet. I'm grateful to you for the relationships you and I have had from not only as a menber of the congregation of "our" church, i.e. yours and mine. I've also been grateful for the relationships you and I have had as a consequence of my working with Interfaith Coalition. I have thoroughly enjoyed my time with Laura DeRose and with the staff at the church over the last 10 or 12 years.

Marilyn, I also enjoyed singing with you and a bunch of old men in your home. I'll always remember that. With thank to you & Donel.

You two, take care. As I told you, I plan to help restore the fertility on Tonga Ridge for all the wonderful huckleberries there. Thanks for your love. I love you both. dick

I'm sure I typed a vury, vury long letter to you on this set, but I have no idea how to retrieve and/or view it. My best to you. If you don't get an absolutly passionate letter from me, let me know and I'll try to recreate it. Thanks.

I am a relative newcomer to your journal, but have greatly appreciated the grace and love with which you are sharing your journey. Thank you. I have chosen to respond to this entry on a matter of principal ; ) . While strawberry rhubarb pie seems to be quite a favorite in this area, coming from the South, I would like to recommend a pie that is hands down superior - raspberry rhubarb. Hopefully, one of your many treasured friends will take it upon themselves to give it a try and share the delectable results with you and your family.
Again, thank you for your wonderful focus on Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith. His glory shines through your shared suffering and reveling in His mercy.