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| Newsletter #12 July 2, 2007 |
| Jeanne's House of Angels Newsletter |
| Featured Angel: Linda Taylor |
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| Linda and John |
| Linda Taylor's Favorites:
Foods: Dorito Dip, Sweets --especially Hershey Bars, Baked French Onion Soup, Eating Breakfast Out! TV Shows: Amazing Race, Survivor, Smallville, NCIS, Jag, Fear Factor Movies: Curly Top, Jungle Book, Dirty Dancing, Indiana Jones, Gone With the Wind Music: Country.. but most of all, Christmas Carols.. from October to February!!! Hobbies: Reading.. Reading.. and More Reading... Color: Green Pets: her Angel Dog Wickett & Angel Cat Sabrina.. and her cat Hobo! People: Loved everybody!! Family & Friends, but most of all her first boyfriend and husband of 34 yrs. John.. Her daughter Angie, and son in law Robb, her son Mark, and her grandchildren McKenna & Parker! Her best friend Vicky Nelson! Places: Mom loved traveling!!!... Las Vegas, Colorado, taking Cruises!.. just vacations!!! Dreams: Was to grow old & retire and TRAVEL!!! |
| Linda C. Taylor
11/06/51 - 10/15/06 Beloved Mother, Wife, and Grandma It is so hard for me to sit down and think of what to write about Mom. Not because I cannot find things to write about, but rather because I think I could write & write, and write about my Mom. How I miss her so much! My Mom, Linda Taylor, was diagnosed w/ cancer in her sacrum on Sept. 1st, 2004. From that moment on our lives as most cancer families know, went into a downward spiraling tailspin! Over the next 2 years Mom battled her cancer. She underwent an extensive array of treatments. She received 3 different forms of chemotherapy, and months of radiation treatments, as well as an 18 hr. surgery to attempt to remove her tumor, and just overall numerous medications & procedures. My Mom went from a young middle-aged woman who loved life, family, friends, traveling, and so much more to a woman that many did not even recognize if they did not see her often. She aged so, just testament to the battle she was fighting. But enough of Mom being sick. I know that is something she would not want me to talk about here. When it is her time to shine. She'd want me to share with you what a wonderful, fun-loving person she was!! My Mom had a smile that lit up a room!! And the best personality ever! People even now, tell us.. I can just see "Linda Smiling"!! My Mom never had an enemy. Everybody always loved her, even if they only met her once, she just was someone that left that lasting impression. Mom loved to travel. Every year growing up, that was the thing our whole family looked most forward to. "Our Yearly Vacation"! We'd plan & pack days ahead of schedule.. Mom & I!! Dad thought we were nuts!! Mom's tradition was she had to mix up home-made trail mix each year. Dad loved that, so she'd get nuts, m&m's, choc. chips, raisins, etc.. and that was our vacation "staple" so to speak, of course coupled w/ chips, pop and other snack food items!! Last year we had a family vacation planned. Mom was in the heart of having chemo treatments again and we kept worrying how she would do. Would she be well enough to travel, would she be sore? Sitting long periods of time was just excruciating for her, and we had planned on staying in a condo for 1 week in Willamsburg, Va. Well the time to go arrived, and My Dad, my husband, and I were just so worried about Mom, but Mom was a trooper. She put on a brave face for us. We knew that!! She went to Busch Gardens and spent a full day at the amusement park w/ us. Dad pushing her along in her wheelchair. She went to the Va. Aquarium, to see the Tall Ships of Colonial Williamsburg, and much more. During that whole trip Mom did her best to "accomodate us". Granted we were trying to "accomodate" her. But that wasn't Mom's style. She always worried first & foremost about her family. She never wanted to "burden" us. Time & time again she'd break down over the past 2 years, worrying that it was "too hard" on Dad, or "too hard" on Me, yet goodness..it was "too hard" on her. But she didn't want to say that!! As the trip came to an end and we came home Mom went downhill from there. But those last memories of our Va. trip is something I hold very dear to my heart, because it was just yet another shining example of the woman my Mom was to me. A mentor to her family & friends, and even in her last months putting us ahead of her, our cares & concerns first. There's no doubt in my mind that Mom made that last family vacation by sure will-power and determination to do one last thing for her family despite that she was getting sicker daily. On Mom's last day she kept telling us "she was sorry"... I think she thought we were disappointed in her, but Mom, if you are reading this I want you to know that NO ONE in your family is/was disappointed in you. You gave life your "all"..always..and you gave us many, many memories. Even in your last 2 yrs. of life, there are so many memories that we will treasure always..until we meet again! Mom came to "visit" me shortly after she passed away, and I could see her perfectly, she was beautiful & back to her fun-loving, happy self. She was smiling at me once more with that "big smile of hers", and she said "Angie, I'm okay.. I really am".. That was it, then she was gone. But I hold those words deep in my heart, and know that she is "okay"..she's better than "okay". She's wonderful because once more she is living life as she should.. healthy & free, and w/ us..her family.. Always! |
| Angela with her mom, Linda |
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| Linda's memorial marker showcases from L-to-R...their trip to the Grand Canyon..Mom & Dad (John & Linda)...their family...Their Carnival Cruise and their home... |
| Someone Standing in the Doorway
By Reverend Joseph Phillips, Ph.D. The death of someone close to us can be like a harsh, winter wind blowing out the light of our lives. We find ourselves in total darkness. We feel afraid, lost, alone. We worry how we will ever get through the darkness of our grief. Consider this story about finding one’s way in the dark. One night, Abe Lincoln and his father were working in their log cabin. The father needed some tools from the tool shed and asked Abe to get the tools for him. Abe grabbed the lantern and ran outside only to be frightened by the dark. He came running back into the cabin. “Father, I can’t see where the tool shed is. It’s pitch black outside.” His father came over and took him to the door. “Abe, raise your lantern high. What do you see?” “I see the oak tree in the front yard.” “Good,” said his father. Now go out to the oak tree and raise your lantern high. Son, what do you see?” “I see the fence that runs down along the cornfield.” “Good. Follow the fence to the end and raise your lantern high again. Son, what do you see?” “I see the tool shed now.” “Get the tools we need and come back the same way.” The story reminds the traveler on the journey of grief that there is enough light for a few steps. Once those few steps are taken, then there is enough light for the next few steps. Make the journey a few steps at a time. There is another aspect of the story on which I wish to focus our attention. Notice that Abe’s father stands in the doorway and calls out encouragement. There are those who stand in the doorways of your life and call out their support and care. Do you hear their voices? I recently enjoyed dinner at the home of friends. I said goodbye, got in my car, pulled from the driveway into the road, and glanced at the doorway of the home I had just left. All of a sudden I realized that I always glance at the doorway as I am leaving someone’s home. I think this habit must go back to childhood, though I don’t remember who used to be standing there. Sometimes it is so hard to see through the darkened screen or past the reflection of the yard upon the glass. It can be difficult to see who is standing there. So many who come through the journey of grief testify that they have a clear and abiding sense of their loved one standing in the doorway of their lives speaking encouragement, affirmation and love: “You can make it. Hold the lantern high. Go only as far as you can see. You will make it. I am with you.” Listen for their words of love and be strengthened for the next few steps. I close with this story. When John was very young, both his parents died. The relatives wondered what to do with John and his several siblings. How might the children be parceled out? One aunt wrote that she would take little John and sent a neighbor by horse to get the boy. As John was riding on the back of the horse to his aunt’s home, he began asking questions: “Will she be there? Will I like her? Will she love me? Will I have my own room? Will she let me have a puppy?” The neighbor replied: “She’ll be there waiting for you. You fall into good hands. She has a big heart. She’s got everything ready for you.” When they got to the clearing in the front of the house, there was a candle in the window, and his aunt was standing in the doorway. She bent down, kissed him, fed him supper, took him to his room, and waited until he fell asleep. In time she became a second mother. Many years later, his aunt wrote to John to tell him of her approaching death. She wondered what would become of her. John began to pack for the cross-country trip, but before he left, he posted this letter: “My dearest aunt: Years ago I left a house of death not knowing where I was to go, whether anyone cared, whether it was the end of me. The ride was long, but your neighbor encouraged me. Finally he pointed out your candle in the window. You welcomed me and gave me my very own room. Now it is your turn to go, and as one who has tried it out, I’m writing to let you know that Someone is waiting up. Your room is ready. The light is on. The door is open. And as you ride into the yard, don’t worry, you are expected. I know. I once saw God standing in your doorway long ago. |
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| An atheist was taking a walk through the woods, admiring all that evolution had created.
"What majestic trees! What powerful rivers! What beautiful animals!", he said to himself. As he was walking along the river, he heard a rustling in the bushes behind him. When he turned to see what the casue was, he saw a 7-foot grizzly charging right towards him. He ran as fast as he could. He looked over his shoulder and saw that the bear was closing, He ran even faster, crying in fear. He looked over his shoulder again, and the bear was even closer. His heart was pounding and he tried to run even faster. He tripped and fell on the ground. He rolled over to pick himself up, but saw the bear right on top of him, reaching for him with his left paw and raising his right paw to strike him. At that moment, the Atheist cried out "Oh my God!...." Time stopped. The bear froze. The forest was silent. Even the river stopped moving. As a bright light shone upon the man, a voice came out of the sky, "You deny my existence for all of these years; teach others I don''t exist; and even credit creation to a cosmic accident. Do you expect me to help you out of this predicament? Am I to count you as a believer?" The atheist looked directly into the light "It would be hypocritical of me to suddenly ask You to treat me as Christian now, but perhaps could you make the bear a Christian?" "Very well," said the voice. The light went out. The river ran again. And the sounds of the forest resumed. And then the bear dropped his right paw ..... brought both paws together...bowed his head and spoke: "Lord, for this food which I am about to receive, I am truly thankful." |
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| Recipe!!.. Dorito Dip!
In a 9 inch pie pan spread 1 - 8oz. block of cream cheese top w/ 1 can of Hormel Chili w/ beans and 1 can of drained - chopped green chili's sprinkle 1 pkg. of shredded cheddar cheese on the top! Bake at 350 for approx. 20 min. or until cheese is bubbly on the top! Eat w/ Doritos dipped in!! YUM!! |
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| Scars
Some years ago on a hot summer day in south Florida a little boy decided to go for a swim in the old swimming hole behind his house. In a hurry to dive into the cool water, he ran out the back door, leaving behind shoes, socks, and shirt as he went. He flew into the water, not realizing that as he swam toward the middle of the lake, an alligator was swimming toward the shore. His mother in the house was looking out the window saw the two as they got closer and closer together. In utter fear, she ran toward the water, yelling to her son as loudly as she could. Hearing her voice, the little boy became alarmed and made a U-turn to swim to his mother. It was too late. Just as he reached her, the alligator reached him. From the dock, the mother grabbed her little boy by the arms just as the alligator snatched his legs. That began an incredible tug-of-war between the two. The alligator was much stronger than the mother, but the mother was much too passionate to let go. A farmer happened to drive by, heard her screams, raced from his truck, took aim and shot the alligator. Remarkably, after weeks and weeks in the hospital the little boy survived. His legs were extremely scarred by the vicious attack of the animal. And, on his arms, were deep scratches where his mother's fingernails dug into his flesh in her effort to hang on to the son she loved. The newspaper reporter who interviewed the boy after the trauma, asked if he would show him his scars. The boy lifted his pant legs. And then, with obvious pride, he said to the reporter, "But look at my arms. I have great scars on my arms, too. I have them because my Mom wouldn't let go." You and I can identify with that little boy. We have scars, too. No, not from an alligator, or anything quite so dramatic. But the scars of a painful past. Some of those scars are unsightly and have caused us deep regret. But, some wounds, my friend, are because God has refused to let go. In the midst of your struggle, He's been there holding on to you. You are a child of God. He wants to protect you and provide for you in every way. But sometimes we foolishly wade into dangerous situations. The swimming hole of life is filled with peril - and we forget that the enemy is waiting to attack. That's when the tug-of-war begins - and if you have the scars of His love on your arms be very, very grateful. He did not and will not - let you go. (Author Unknown) |
| The way to gain a good reputation, is to endeavor to be what you desire to appear. - Socrates |
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| FYI: 1. Any Beer conditions the hair 2. Pam cooking spray will dry finger nail polish 3. Cool whip will condition your hair in 15 minutes 4. Mayonnaise will KILL LICE, it will also condition your hair 5. Elmer's Glue - paint on your face, allow it to dry, peel off and see the dead skin and blackheads if any 6. Shiny Hair - use brewed Lipton Tea 7. Sunburn - empty a large jar of Nestea into your bath water 8. Minor burn - Colgate or Crest toothpaste 9. B! Urn your tongue? Put sugar on it! 10. Arthritis? WD-40 Spray and rub in, kill insect stings too 11 Bee stings - meat tenderizer 12. Chigger bite - Preparation H 13. Puffy eyes - Preparation H 14. Paper cut - crazy glue or chap stick (glue is used instead of sutures at most hospitals) 15. Stinky feet - Jello! 16. Athletes feet - cornstarch 17. Fungus on toenails or fingernails - Vicks vapor rub 18. Kool aid to clean dishwasher pipes. Just put in the! He detergent section and run a cycle, it will also clean a toilet. (Wow, and we drink this stuff) 19. Kool Aid can be used as a dye in paint also Kool Aid in Dannon plain yogurt as a finger paint, your kids will love it and it won't hurt them if they eat it! 20. Peanut butter - will get scratches out of CD's! Wipe off with a coffee filter paper 21. Sticking bicycle chain - Pam no-stick cooking spray 22. Pam will also remove paint, and grease from your hands! Keep a can in your garage for your hubby 23. Peanut butter will remove ink from the face of dolls 24. When the doll clothes are hard! Ard to p UT on, sprinkle with corn starch and watch them slide on 25. Heavy dandruff - pour on the vinegar! 26. Body paint - Crisco mixed with food coloring. Heat the Crisco in the microwave, pour in to an empty film container and mix with the food color of your choice! 27. Tie Dye T-shirt - mix a solution of Kool Aid in a container, tie a rubber band around a section of the T-shirt and soak 28. Preserving a newspaper clipping - large bottle of club soda and cup of milk of magnesia, soak for 20 min. And let dry, will last for many years! 29. A Slinky will hold toast and CD's! 30. To keep goggles and glasses from fogging, coat with Colgate toothpaste 31. Wine stains, pour on the Morton salt and watch it absorb into the salt. 32. To remove wax - Take a paper towel and iron it over the wax stain, it will absorb into the towel. 33. Remove labels off glasswar! E etc. Rub with Peanut butter! 34. Baked on food - fill container with water, get a Bounce paper softener and the static from the Bounce towel will cause the baked on food to adhere to it. Soak overnight. Also; you can use 2 Efferdent tablets, soak overnight! 35. Crayon on the wall - Colgate toothpaste and brush it! 36. Dirty grout - Listerine |
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| Follow your honest convictions, and stay strong.
William Thackeray |
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| INSTRUCTIONS FOR GIVING YOUR CAT A PILL
1. Pick cat up and cradle it in the crook of your left arm as if holding a baby. Position right forefinger and thumb on either side of cat's mouth and gently apply pressure to cheeks while holding pill in right hand. As cat opens mouth, pop pill into mouth. Allow cat to close mouth and swallow. 2. Retrieve pill from floor and cat from behind sofa. Cradle cat in left arm and repeat process. 3. Retrieve cat from bedroom, and throw soggy pill away. Take new pill from foil wrap, cradle cat in left arm holding rear paws tightly with lef hand. Force jaws open and push pill to back of mouth with right forefinger. Hold mouth shut for a count of 10. 4. Retrieve pill from goldfish bowl and cat from top of wardrobe. Call spouse from garden. 5. Kneel on floor with cat wedged firmly between knees, holding front and rear paws. Ignore low growls emitted by cat. Get spouse to hold cat's head firmly with one hand while forcing wooden ruler into mouth. Drop pill down ruler and rub cat's throat vigorously. 6. Retrieve cat from curtain rail, get another pill from foil wrap. Make note to buy new ruler and repair curtains. Carefully sweep shattered figurines from hearth and set to one side for gluing later. 7. Wrap cat in large towel and get spouse to lie on cat with its head just visible from below spouse's armpit. Put pill in end of drinking straw, force cat's mouth open with pencil and blow down drinking straw. 8. Check label to make sure pill not harmful to humans, drink glass of water to take taste away. Apply band-aid to spouse's forearm and remove blood from carpet with cold water and soap. 9. Retrieve cat from neighbor's shed. Get another pill. Place cat in cupboard and close door onto neck to leave head showing. Force mouth open with dessert spoon. Flick pill down throat with elastic band. 10. Fetch screwdriver from garage and put door back on hinges. Apply cold compress to cheek and check records for date of last tetanus shot. Throw T-shirt away and fetch new one from bedroom. 11. Ring fire brigade to retrieve cat from tree across the road. Apologize to neighbor who crashed into fence while swerving to avoid cat. Take last pill from foil wrap. 12. Tie cat's front paws to rear paws with garden twine and bind tightly to leg of dining table. Find heavy duty pruning gloves from shed. Force cat's mouth open with small spanner. Push pill into mouth followed by large piece of fillet steak. Hold head vertically and pour 1/2 pint of water down throat to wash pill down. 13. Get spouse to drive you to emergency room; sit quietly while doctor stitches fingers and forearm and removes pill remnants from right eye. Stop by furniture shop on way home to order new table. 14. Arrange for vet to make a housecall. |
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| If we all did the things we are capable of,
we would astound ourselves. Thomas Edison |
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| A Cute Poem Mom had on a bookmark she always used....
Ingredients for a Perfect Day.... *Favorite Memories *Plenty of Smiles *Some time for yourself *Happiness *Fresh Air *Laughter *Good Food *....and Great Friends! |
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| Linda Please don't be sad for me Don't think of me and cry. For my love is still with you It's really not goodbye. The memories will never fade I'll be with you each day. Speak to me with your heart For I won't be far away. For you my darling husband I will always love you so. Thirty four years of happiness With the best man I could ever know. Please my dear children Know your mom is always near. Speak to me with your heart And know that I will hear. Parker and McKenna Please don't you be so blue. For Grandma loves you very much And will always be with you. For you see love doesn't die It's kept within your heart. As long as you keep it close to you We won't be far apart. One day we'll be together In Paradise we'll stay. Happily we'll spend our time Together every day. ~DMN~ |
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| This is the 12th edition of "Jeanne's House of Angels" newsletter.
A special thank you to Angela, Linda's daughter, in providing her memories of Linda. If you would prefer not to receive a copy of the newsletter, please email me and I will remove you from the mailing list. The featured angel in our next newsletter edition will be Jamie Britt. If you would like your angel to be featured in a future edition of the newsletter, please email me.. AnnieHoo49@twcny.rr.com |