Date: December 30, 2022 at 7:07:18 PM PST
Dear Friends,
I’ve received so many sweet and soulful responses from this wonderful community. I read them to Betsy and we are both so moved by your words, wishes, memories and emotions. There is so much love amidst the shared sense of loss. So much heartbreak, with Betsy being seen so dearly.
We both value getting the emails but you all don’t get to see what love is pouring in and the beautiful words in which it is delivered. So I’ve created a CaringBridge page where I’m putting all the updates and anyone can post comments there. This is not to deter you from sending us your emails - we love getting them; it is just a way for you to share with the community anything you’d like to add to the collective inspiration.
Betsy is still in the hospital, and is happy to be there with nurses she loves. I think she’s a different type of patient from what the hospital is used to, as the way we’ve decorated her room shows. (Notice the Christmas lights, the hanging crystal, the purple hanging lantern, Betsy’s collection of scarves (she thrives on being around COLOR), and the gingerbread house that Cassidy made while Betsy participated in the design.)
We’ve enrolled Betsy in Hospice which will start when she gets discharged. Betsy can’t go back to the RV, nor to our friends’ house (they did so much for us!) so we’ve been looking for a next place to call home. The hospital is compassionately allowing her to stay until we find a place. And now there is good news with that. Jessica and Phil devoted themselves to the search and have secured a wonderful vintage house for us in La Jolla, not far from the only white sand beach in San Diego, voted one of the top ten beaches in the US. We move in on January 2nd.
Other wonderful improvements - Betsy is talking, has movement in the fingers of her right hand, sensation in her right arm and leg, and starting just yesterday is able to move the big toe on her right foot. This is the result of the steroids she’s on and, given her resilience, we’re open to miracles, from her being able to walk again to her living another 20 or 30 years.
Her attitude is positive, even in facing the prognosis. She exudes acceptance and is in a reflective and integrating phase of her life. It’s still a very conscious journey for her and for the two of us. She’s has the understanding that there is no way it’s supposed to be and is moving through the unfolding with eyes open.
Jessica and Cassidy have been here, as well, and this is just so hard on them. They, too, are growing through this, but not without great pain. Realization of the growth may come like an occasionally visiting imaginary friend that comforts them over time and points out how strong they’ve been through the process. At this time, there is simply a cycling of tears and laughter, talks and silence, reflections of a rich past and hopes for a compassionate future.
As a family, we’re making it through this parfait of fruitful layers of chaos. And we’ll stay connected with you. Thank you for everything. And may your own reflection on the year past bring you appreciation for your own recent journey around the sun. Here’s hoping for health and happiness for all of us in the year ahead.
Love,
Jimmy
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