Maggie said...

I thought I would share some of the family emails that that have been circulating:


To: June Smith
From: Margaret Kelly
Date: 08/01/2008 12:09PM


I am so glad that I had a pool and hot tub that was able to enjoy. She seemed to really like coming here and got to see a side of Dave that she had never seen before--because it was not a large crowd. She talked about that Tuesday--another little nugget that I get to keep. She said she was so glad she got to see that part of Dave. She held his hand and thanked him yesterday for taking care of me. That's when he lost it. She just keeps giving, so like her!
Mike Eliff called me this morning to check on her. He said he was going to give another class and that friends would be expecting a full report from him. He will continue to check in with me. He's awesome! Being able to go to Yoga with her through the Wellness Center was another gift to me in the last year because it was an opportunity to step out of my reality, no questions asked, and focus on her. A friend of mine is on their board and I have told her I would be happy to donate my services to them for fund raisers, etc...
Margaret Kelly
Kelly Twins Productions
Kellytwins.com


June Smith wrote:
I'm glad that lil Liam got to visit with Mom. He is so sweet. I know that you guyz got to spend a lot of time with her when she came over to swim a lot, which required lots of gentleness. One day maybe they will be looking back and Liam can tell Aiden good stories about Mom... Glad everyone got in a nice visit.

Love, J
On Fri, Aug 1, 2008 at 11:48 AM, Margaret Kelly wrote:
Peter, you were amazing and so sensitive to her--I had forgotten about how good you are in the face of these things. Words are so powerful, and for some, it is very difficult to to find the words that will bring comfort. I think that is the best thing we can do for Chris right now. I feel very comfortable being with her and am grateful to be able to do so.

Warren was so cute to watch--he would jump up suddenly and make a face at her and tease her. It made her smile and she told him she loved him. Having Kathy there makes me feel like someone is on guard and on top of things--a real comfort. And, oh yeah--she rubbed my neck and back! Liam saw her last night and she gave him a real hug, both arms and everything!!! She also kissed him. He wanted to see Aunt Chris and tell her 'I'm going to miss you' and he wanted to give her 4 pinkie hugs--one from each of us. He has not been able to touch her for a year. Aidan did not want to see her (which I agreed was a good thing) b/c he said, 'Well, Aunt Chris is kind of weird.' I guess to a boy who has just turned four, she would seem that way... I told Chris what he said and she smiled! Dave also went to see her, even though I could tell he would have rather have gotten a root canal. He was very choked up. He lost both of his parents this way. He wasn't going to go until he had a couple bourbons and spoke to his sister, Barbara (a saint). He later said to me "It's not about me.' Of course, I've been telling him that for years...
Margaret Kelly
Kelly Twins Productions
Kellytwins.com


Peter Kelly wrote:

I spent Tues and Thurs night with Chris. I really enjoyed that. I got kicked out of the room
last night by Chris because I was snoring! I got sent down the hall to sleep on a big couch in the LR.
There was some really great gooey butter cake, and I had some for breakfast. Chris asked for some
peach last night and we shared one. It was a really good peach.

She made the comment this am that she is relatively comfortable. She said it is the shock of her life.
She is happy to be at deGreeff. She said that she thought it was over, but she is comfortable now.
I know that my constant thought is that her death is impending, it must be even more acute with her
thoughts. She has said 'this is it' to me three times. I finally told her that we are not in charge of that,
and we just have to wait and see, so we shouldn't worry about it. Tuesday night she would wake up
often, and seem startled. I think she was curious to see if she was still alive.

She is very sweet and her sense of humor is intact.

Hooper was there Tuesday night, and Kathy was there last night. I encourage all to spend the night.
It's a great way to visit with her. There's room for whoever.....

Love,
Peter

Sunday, August 3d

10:30am: This is Bridget. I just spoke w/ Elizabeth. She and June spent the night and tell me that Chris had a pretty good night and slept (earlier in the week, she had troubled, fitful sleep and would wake a little disoriented and nervous, so a good night is a welcome blessing)~she slept well when Mags and I stayed overnight Saturday too.

Angelina and Genevieve (My brother Peter's 2 girls) got to visit yesterday morning for an hour and Chris was very sweet w/ them and happy to be able to see them. She woke at 5am and asked about them right off (they were coming at 9a). She wanted to make sure their breakfeast was ready and wanted us to get soft fluffy robes for all of us so she could have her masseur (an elusive person named Paul) give everyone massages~I didn't quite put all that together until after the girls left as Chris is not always clear...but when you think about it, you can piece her thoughts together. It was CLASSIC Christine~taking care of all and making sure of a good time...

And of course, Chris had life's words of wisdom to share with the girls: "You don't have to mind everyone's business~You just have to mind your own." (...which is kinda' funny when you realize that Chris certainly made it her business to mind everyone else's business...and never hesitated to weigh in w/ her 2 cents when she had concerns...but I guess that's HER job as a Matriarch...!)

An additional note~

You may forward all pictures you wish to share to bridget@kellytwins.com.

Hugs and love to all~more postings to come...

Bridget