A Beautiful Day :)

Some of you have asked me to continue my blog and I will.  This will my way to let you know my feelings and how I will fill my time, there is a BIG hole for me to fill constructively every afternoon.  

It is one week today since the service in North Minneapolis, leaving me with many wonderful memories.
Sue left Rockville on Tuesday, Denese, Sue and I went down to Maple Grove where we met Rick and Becky, Sue went home with Becky, she lives near the airport.  Sue flew out on Wednesday and had a good flight.  She wanted to take a plant on the plane, one of the plants we used for Harlan's funeral and they were very kind about storing it so she could take on with her.

Yesterday I joined Sarah for the Lemon Aid Fair at St. Cloud State and as with all Fairs you eat - eat - and eat some more.  Walked a lot and saw a lot neat things, watched a band with various drummers and took in a "Belly Dancer" performance.  It was a cool day with very little sun and even a sprinkle of rain.  
Last evening Denese hooked up a DVD so we could play the Memorial video of  pictures of Harlan and I'll show it today as Harold and Marilyn are coming for a visit this afternoon and I was able to show it to Rale and Mel last evening.  
God is so good to me, He has put people and activities into my life to make life good, there are many people praying for me, I sleep well at night and my days are full........Fran

Hello From Rockville

In just one week so much has happened.  About this time last Saturday (10:30PM) I received the phone call from the VA that Harlan had fallen and Sunday morning I went with him for x-rays which determined the seriousness of his fall, a broken hip, and early Tuesday morning he was gone, I did not get to say "Good-Bye" as no one else in our family was able to either he just quietly went home.  Becky had planned to be here on Tuesday to see her Dad and Sue came home on Wednesday, her plans were to see him too, God had other plans, plans to take him away from all his pain and his struggle to breath.  

The next several days were busy making plans to celebrate his life and with the help of Denese, Rick, Sue and Becky we put together a beautiful "story."  We had his burial in Minneapolis with a chapel service which Harold did with Paul singing Amazing Grace and the congregation sang Jesus Loves Me.  Harold gave a great message explaining the message of salvation and Sarah and Wes (both in uniform) unfolded the flag and draped his coffin with it.  At the grave side Harlan was honored with the Honor Guard giving him their respects with the 21 gun salute and taps.  The flag was folded and Sarah in uniform handed me the flag.  Before handing me the flag she saluted the casket.  The whole service was so touching.  

We then proceeded to Jenny's for a wonderful lunch which gave me a time to visit with so many friends that came.  It was a very touching day, a day that I will long remember.

Today was his memorial service at Granite City Baptist Church, another day that I will remember.  Pastor Campbell was the speaker of the day with Denese and Sue doing Harlan's obituary and reminiscing over things he had done with the Kids when they were young and Kristen with no accompaniment sang Amazing Grace (yes, we did it both days) it was beautiful.  Pastor Campbell also delivered a message on salvation.  We then proceeded to the Fireside room for another great lunch.    

There were so many people at both services, many more then I had ever dreamed would be there and they all touched me in so many ways.  

My next "job" will be to acknowledge everyone with a note of Thanks, this should keep me busy and out of "mischief" for a while. 

My life will change as it does when there is a void that has to be filled (every afternoon was occupied with a trip to the VA and about two and a half hours with Harlan going out for a daily treat, laying down with him and TV time together, Jeopardy and Millionaire,  I will miss him and that!

I most likely will not do a lot of Blog writing as my reason for writing was to put my feeling on paper, I love you all for reading this and I know many of you prayed for me in some of our difficult times, please don't stop I still need prayers.........Fran

Hello From Rockville

So much has gone on since I have written although I have only missed a couple days.  Monday Rick spent the day with me and early Tuesday morning Harlan passed away.  Becky came up on Tuesday and Sue flew in on Wednesday.  Megan picked her up at the airport and brought her part way to St. Cloud and Denese and I met them and we brought her to Rockville but first a stop at the funeral home to tie things together.  Today we had nothing pressing to do but managed to keep really busy.  The day ended with food at our monthly pot-luck here at John Clark.  Tomorrow will be the service at Crystal Lake Cemetery in Minneapolis with lunch at Jenny's.

Saturday will be a memorial service at Granite City Baptist Church in St. Cloud.  Tomorrow and Saturday will be hard for me but with all the support of family and friends I know things will go well.  God is so good He will walk with me through it all..............Fran

Hello From Rockville fplatzer@mywdo.com
Thing have moved quickly, faster then I could keep up with.  Harlan passed away this morning at about 2:30 AM and we are now planning his funeral which will be Friday at the cemetery  and Memorial Services Saturday at the church.  I am so thankful for family with all help for making decisions and helping everything to fall into place and it has.
Blogs will now be farther apart as my reason for blogging in gone and I may not have much to write about.  So Good Night until another time......Fran

Hello From Rockville 

Rick came and spent time with me.  First he stopped to see Harlan, I joined him then Sarah stopped.  Harlan seemed to know both Rick and Sarah, he had some discomfort while we were there and Sarah and I rubbed his arm and it calmed him.  His pain meds have been increased from every 4 hours to every 2 hours and that has helped him rest more comfortably.  

After our time with Harlan we went for lunch and I completed other shopping I had to do and Rick and I headed for Rockville and some visiting, he left for home and I headed back to the VA.  Denese was already with Harlan when I got there.  Denese said Harlan seemed to know her.  When I talked to him he opened his eyes to acknowledge me also.  We stayed with him until after 6:00.  The increase in his pain meds have helped but also that make him sleepy.  When he speaks it is hard to understand him as it's more of a mumble then words.

Becky will be coming up tomorrow to spend time with us, I look forward to seeing her.......Fran 

Hello From Rockville

I'm writing this blog with a heavy heart.  What a difference 24 hours can make in one's life.  Yesterday Harlan played bingo and won two games then out to McD for a hot fudge sundae, we enjoyed our time together, and as I have often said each day together is a blessing and yesterday was.  On the way back while walking to the elevator we were about to meet several kitchen workers but before we could meet them they disappeared into the kitchen as they disappeared Harlan commented under his breath, "Chicken" and laughed. Today he is bedridden with a severely broken leg, he fell last night in his room and the prognosis isn't very hopeful, he would need surgery followed by PT and with his COPD surgery would be risky and with his dementia PT is almost impossible, he can no longer follow instructions.   The PT would probably hurt at the least be very uncomfortable and he would not cooperate.  It is very hard to see some one you love who has been so active both physically and mentally be reduced to the mental capability of a 2/3 year old. 

I will try and write to let you know how things are going..........Fran

Harlan at McDonalds

Hello From Rockville fplatzer@mywdo.com