Stargazer Posted September 22, 2015 Share Posted September 22, 2015 I posted the following today on my Facebook page: I regret to report that my beloved wife, Waltraut Clark passed away this morning, 21 Sep 2015, after a 3 year battle with cancer. I will miss her deeply, but I am satisfied that she died in the arms of Jesus Christ, who has conquered both death and hell for the sake of those He loves. She shall rise again in the resurrection and through the sacred blood of Christ shall be made perfect. I look forward to the day when she and I will be reunited. Since I have been my sweetie's fulltime caretaker for the past month or so, with the job getting harder and harder on a day-to-day basis, I am very grateful for this place, MDDB, for providing me with a means to "get away from the now" and decompress occasionally. Believe me, arguing with thesometimesaint, TheSkepticChristian, canard78, and the rest of you, about anything and everything, allowed me to escape at least temporarily from the inevitable decline of my dear one. Thank you all for not beating me up too hard, and thanks to the Esteemed Proprietor, whoever he or she is, for providing this place. Thanks are also in order for the many of you who have expressed your care and concern for our situation, both here and on Facebook. Your good wishes helped soften the blow when it came. I was present when she breathed her last, and I am grateful that it was a peaceful and not a distress-ridden death. She had entered a state of unconsciousness the previous day, and did not leave it until the end. Inasmuch as I did not know she was that near the end, I was the only one by her side, and she entered the final stages quickly. So while she did not pass surrounded by her family, she passed surrounded by the love of her husband, and the Lord Jesus Christ. I still cannot quite believe she is gone. And of course, she isn't; she is just gone from my sight. Link to comment
strappinglad Posted September 22, 2015 Share Posted September 22, 2015 My sincere condolences. May His peace be with you. Link to comment
Kenngo1969 Posted September 22, 2015 Share Posted September 22, 2015 (edited) You Know Where She Is. That, perhaps, does not make her immediate absence in the here-and-now any easier to bear. One of the ironies of the Restored Gospel of Jesus Christ is that it makes parting with loved ones easier, yet harder, at the same time: easier, because you have the perspective to know that death is not the end; harder, because the Gospel deepens and enriches our love for others such that parting with them, even temporarily, is all the harder. You have my deepest condolences. You and ERayR, and probably others of whom I am unaware, now are members of the MA&DB Widowers Club. While I cannot speak for him, I think having each other to "Cyber-lean" on would be no small thing. Es tut mir leid. Möge Gott mit dir sein. You have my sincerest condolences, and I wish you well. Edited September 22, 2015 by Kenngo1969 Link to comment
Calm Posted September 22, 2015 Share Posted September 22, 2015 (edited) What have you decided to do to celebrate her life? Will family be able to come out or will it be friends closeby?From what I have observed, you will be feeling disoriented and not a great memory for what people tell you in the next while. If important you might want to make enough notes to be able to trigger memories.Since you have been her caregiver, it may be quite a shock. Good luck. Edited September 22, 2015 by Calm Link to comment
saemo Posted September 22, 2015 Share Posted September 22, 2015 Sad news indeed. My condolences to you.But the souls of the just are in the hand of God, and the torment of death shall not touch them. In the sight of the unwise they seemed to die: and their departure was taken for misery: And their going away from us, for utter destruction: but they are in peace. And though in the sight of men they suffered torments, their hope is full of immortality. Afflicted in few things, in many they shall be well rewarded: because God hath tried them, and found them worthy of himself.As gold in the furnace he hath proved them, and as a victim of a holocaust he hath received them, and in time there shall be respect had to them. The just shall shine, and shall run to and fro like sparks among the reeds. They shall judge nations, and rule over people, and their Lord shall reign for ever. They that trust in him, shall understand the truth: and they that are faithful in love shall rest in him: for grace and peace is to his elect. (Book.of Wisdom, 3:1-9) Link to comment
Garden Girl Posted September 22, 2015 Share Posted September 22, 2015 Hello Stargazer... I am so sorry, and send condolences... and my prayers tonight will include you, that you will be at peace... As Kenn said, you know where she is... and you know she is at last free of pain and suffering... you know she is happy...You will grieve... but the Lord will give you peace to carry on. Bless you... GG Link to comment
HappyJackWagon Posted September 22, 2015 Share Posted September 22, 2015 So sorry to hear this, Stargazer. Condolences. Link to comment
rodheadlee Posted September 22, 2015 Share Posted September 22, 2015 D&C 42:46 And it shall come to pass that those that die in me shall not ataste of bdeath, for it shall be csweet unto them; My prayers will be with you. I send my condolences. Link to comment
bluebell Posted September 22, 2015 Share Posted September 22, 2015 Deepest condolences my friend. Link to comment
thesometimesaint Posted September 22, 2015 Share Posted September 22, 2015 Deepest condolences, and prayers. Link to comment
Rain Posted September 22, 2015 Share Posted September 22, 2015 So sorry. Hugs and prayers. Link to comment
Tacenda Posted September 22, 2015 Share Posted September 22, 2015 I'm glad her parting was peaceful and that you as her caretaker had that time to be even closer. I know no matter what, it's never easy to lose a loved one. Take care and God bless you and your family. 1 Link to comment
Deborah Posted September 22, 2015 Share Posted September 22, 2015 So sorry to hear. In a way it is a relief that a loved one who has gone through so much is now at rest in heaven. But on the other hand you will miss her so much especially on every birthday and holiday. It's been a few years since my mom died but I still think how I need to get her a card for her birthday. May the Lord be with you and comfort you. Link to comment
Okrahomer Posted September 22, 2015 Share Posted September 22, 2015 You really are a very eloquent writer. Thank you for sharing your experience and faith with us! I join others here who are offering up prayers on your behalf. 1 Link to comment
jkwilliams Posted September 22, 2015 Share Posted September 22, 2015 I'm so sorry to hear that. May you and your family be blessed with peace and comfort. Link to comment
ERayR Posted September 22, 2015 Share Posted September 22, 2015 I posted the following today on my Facebook page:Since I have been my sweetie's fulltime caretaker for the past month or so, with the job getting harder and harder on a day-to-day basis, I am very grateful for this place, MDDB, for providing me with a means to "get away from the now" and decompress occasionally. Believe me, arguing with thesometimesaint, TheSkepticChristian, canard78, and the rest of you, about anything and everything, allowed me to escape at least temporarily from the inevitable decline of my dear one. Thank you all for not beating me up too hard, and thanks to the Esteemed Proprietor, whoever he or she is, for providing this place.Thanks are also in order for the many of you who have expressed your care and concern for our situation, both here and on Facebook. Your good wishes helped soften the blow when it came.I was present when she breathed her last, and I am grateful that it was a peaceful and not a distress-ridden death. She had entered a state of unconsciousness the previous day, and did not leave it until the end. Inasmuch as I did not know she was that near the end, I was the only one by her side, and she entered the final stages quickly. So while she did not pass surrounded by her family, she passed surrounded by the love of her husband, and the Lord Jesus Christ.I still cannot quite believe she is gone. And of course, she isn't; she is just gone from my sight. May the memories of all you shared together and the experience of being with her and caring for her needs through it all bring you comfort in the days and weeks ahead. Link to comment
Guest Posted September 22, 2015 Share Posted September 22, 2015 May God's richest blessing be yours, until you mourning is replaced once again with joy. Link to comment
The Nehor Posted September 22, 2015 Share Posted September 22, 2015 I hate threads I cannot make a joke about. I'm sorry. Link to comment
juliann Posted September 22, 2015 Share Posted September 22, 2015 I'm so sorry. There is a lot of peace in knowing that you did all you could. I had a very bumpy ride for a few years but life does start to feel good again. Really. Link to comment
MorningStar Posted September 23, 2015 Share Posted September 23, 2015 I'm so, so sorry. I can't even imagine. Link to comment
Popular Post Stargazer Posted September 23, 2015 Author Popular Post Share Posted September 23, 2015 I hate threads I cannot make a joke about. I'm sorry. It being my thread and all, I can report my wife's little joke. In April during General Conference on Saturday she began to be really ill, and developed a 104 degree fever. I bundled her off to the hospital and after all the examination and then admittance shenanigans it was 3 am when I went home. I had a hard time getting to sleep without her there, but finally did so, waking only at around noon on Sunday. Then I headed to the hospital. When I walked into her room, I commented "Honey, I had a horrible time getting to sleep without you there." Whereupon she smiled a little crookedly and said "Well, you better get used to it!" Now, I don't know if that is funny or not, but it was an incredibly plucky way of telling me that she had gotten her heavenly draft notice. I knew immediately what she meant, which was only confirmed a little while later when a doctor came into apprise me of the details. The thing is, she approached this like she approached every important task she has ever undertaken. She wrote final letters to her children and sisters, went through all her possessions throwing away that which she felt was no longer needed, and assigning who was going to get what after she was gone. She got her temple clothing ready and made sure I knew where it was and what to do with it. She bore her testimony at the last fast and testimony meeting she knew she was going to be able to attend, and I guess at that point she was ready. After a long sleep last night (making up for the minimal sleep I've gotten for the past four or five days) I've had an interesting day today going to the funeral people to finalize things, shopping for a few this's and that's, and reflecting upon all which has happened. And this day I felt an overarching sense of peace and even joy, almost as if something was buoying me up. I didn't really understand it until just now, but I do believe it is the wellwishes of all the people both here and on Facebook, and per email who have made those short but sweet little greetings containing condolences and promises of prayers, and "thinkings of you". Again I thank you all here. I thought I would be heartbroken and depressed, and there is a little of that, of course, but even when something makes me think of her such that I tear up, I continue to feel that love from all of you and from the Spirit of the Lord as well. In short, I thought my life would effectively end when hers did, but I find that it has been handed back to me again with the admonition "Go do something useful!" And I believe that I shall do so. 8 Link to comment
Raingirl Posted September 23, 2015 Share Posted September 23, 2015 In short, I thought my life would effectively end when hers did, but I find that it has been handed back to me again with the admonition "Go do something useful!" And I believe that I shall do so. I was just reading through this thread while trying to find a way to express what words cannot express.....and then read your words above. Amazing. And I remain speechless. In Judaism we always said "May her memory be for a blessing". It is so obviously true of your beloved wife. 1 Link to comment
Avatar4321 Posted September 23, 2015 Share Posted September 23, 2015 I'm sorry for your loss my friend. Link to comment
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