Uncle Bob~
Of course some of my best memories of our family trips to Seattle involve you and the boat and plane trips you took us on. Twenty + years later, I still share the story of how you let me fly your plane and we went over the destruction of Mt.Saint Helen! Friends are always wow'd by that! I always loved visting your family - as evidenced by the one time in my mid-twenties I came up for a long weekend by myself to do some soul searching while on a "break" with my long term boyfriend. I remember the long walk we took one morning, the cool Seattle air, and the relaxed conversation. All much needed by me at the time. You and Aunt Priscilla created a warm and loving environment for a troubled girl that weekend. Thank you for that. Thankfully, I have now found a wonderful man to spend the rest of my life with and I would love for you to meet him someday. Nate is a laid-back, CA native / surfer / high school history teacher who is very genuine and loving. I am keeping you and your health, as well as Priscilla and the family, in my prayers, Uncle Bob. I hope this note brought you a smile, as my great memories of you bring me a smile.
Much love and prayers, Julie
Wednesday, October 31, 2007
My husband just forwarded your email to me in San Diego. I have been down here helping my mom clean up from the aftermath of the San Diego fires. Her house and yard were covered in soot, but at least her house survived the fires. I am so sorry to hear that your dad has taken a turn for the worse. I can only imagine how hard this is on all of you, because I know how close your family is! Please know that each and every one of you are in my prayers.
I would love for you to tell your dad just how very special I think he is! When I think of him, I think of all the kindnesses he has extended to our Sudanese friends. He has always been so incredibly loving and giving to each and every one of them. He gave so much of his time and his energy to them for so many years! They were constantly telling me how Bob had helped them with their cars, or helped them move or helped repair something in their apartment, or co-signed a loan for them, or had them for dinner, and on and on. He really has been a saint to so many of the Sudanese and they all love him dearly!
When I think of Bob, I also think of he and Priscilla serving the homeless guys with me. They would bring all those delicious dishes that Priscilla had slaved over all day and they would serve those guys with such love and respect. Every one of those homeless men could see the face of Christ in Bob and Pricilla's faces!
When I think of Bob, I think of the hundreds of times I would see him in the church office counting the offering after church. He always had a smile on his face as he opened the locked office door for me. Even though he had done it hundreds of Sundays before, he never looked like he was tired of serving, or resentful of the time he spent taking care of church business. I know he has given thousands and thousands of hours to making sure the finances of the church were in order. Talk about a thankless task, but he has always done it with a willing heart!
Please tell your dad that he really is one of the most Godly people I have ever had the priviledge of knowing and I feel extremely fortunate to call him my friend.
With love and prayers to you all, and especially to Bob!
Carol Nohavec
I would love for you to tell your dad just how very special I think he is! When I think of him, I think of all the kindnesses he has extended to our Sudanese friends. He has always been so incredibly loving and giving to each and every one of them. He gave so much of his time and his energy to them for so many years! They were constantly telling me how Bob had helped them with their cars, or helped them move or helped repair something in their apartment, or co-signed a loan for them, or had them for dinner, and on and on. He really has been a saint to so many of the Sudanese and they all love him dearly!
When I think of Bob, I also think of he and Priscilla serving the homeless guys with me. They would bring all those delicious dishes that Priscilla had slaved over all day and they would serve those guys with such love and respect. Every one of those homeless men could see the face of Christ in Bob and Pricilla's faces!
When I think of Bob, I think of the hundreds of times I would see him in the church office counting the offering after church. He always had a smile on his face as he opened the locked office door for me. Even though he had done it hundreds of Sundays before, he never looked like he was tired of serving, or resentful of the time he spent taking care of church business. I know he has given thousands and thousands of hours to making sure the finances of the church were in order. Talk about a thankless task, but he has always done it with a willing heart!
Please tell your dad that he really is one of the most Godly people I have ever had the priviledge of knowing and I feel extremely fortunate to call him my friend.
With love and prayers to you all, and especially to Bob!
Carol Nohavec
Dear Noelle, Bob, Priscilla and Family,
Thank you for the emails keeping us all up to date on Bob's situation. You all have been in my prayers for sometime now, and that will certainly continue. Bob is such a special guy. Always quick with a smile and willingness to pitch in wherever needed. I don't think our dear African brothers would have made it without his great love and support for them! And our church finances. Who else could be so trusted and conscientious about our books? You know, there aren't many who give of themselves so wholeheartedly and without any thought of recognition. But that's the Bob we know and love!
Bob, I miss your smiling face and gentle presence. Sunday we prayed as a congregation for you and Priscilla and your family. I know you are in good hands and held tightly by His loving embrace. May God bring you healing and comfort.
Your sister in Christ,
Anne Grunow
Thank you for the emails keeping us all up to date on Bob's situation. You all have been in my prayers for sometime now, and that will certainly continue. Bob is such a special guy. Always quick with a smile and willingness to pitch in wherever needed. I don't think our dear African brothers would have made it without his great love and support for them! And our church finances. Who else could be so trusted and conscientious about our books? You know, there aren't many who give of themselves so wholeheartedly and without any thought of recognition. But that's the Bob we know and love!
Bob, I miss your smiling face and gentle presence. Sunday we prayed as a congregation for you and Priscilla and your family. I know you are in good hands and held tightly by His loving embrace. May God bring you healing and comfort.
Your sister in Christ,
Anne Grunow
A letter to Bobby
Dear Cuz,
Learning of your most recent illness, I thought back to some of the good times we had growing up.
I remembered one of the times we went to the Cotton Carnival in Memphis in the old dark blue panel truck with you driving. I can't remember who all went, just that the truck was packed and we had a ball! I also thought about one trip we took in your folks' green packard. It was packed, too, but, for the life of me, I can't remember where we went.
Another memory that came back was of you, Leroy, Bill and the Johnson boys throwing chinaberries at us girls from the tree in Grandmama and Granddaddy's back yard. I thought I would never forgive any of you for that!
I remember when you joined the Marines and what a rough time that was for you. But you survived and went on to accomplish what you had started out to do. I am so proud of you.
I also remember well the revival night when you, Leroy, Bill and I walked down the isle of First Baptist Church in Indianola and accepted Jesus into our hearts. That was a very special time. I didn't understand a whole lot about what I was doing then but God understood and He has "grown" me a lot since then.
I am praying for you constantly and hoping for a good report.
I love you, Karen
Learning of your most recent illness, I thought back to some of the good times we had growing up.
I remembered one of the times we went to the Cotton Carnival in Memphis in the old dark blue panel truck with you driving. I can't remember who all went, just that the truck was packed and we had a ball! I also thought about one trip we took in your folks' green packard. It was packed, too, but, for the life of me, I can't remember where we went.
Another memory that came back was of you, Leroy, Bill and the Johnson boys throwing chinaberries at us girls from the tree in Grandmama and Granddaddy's back yard. I thought I would never forgive any of you for that!
I remember when you joined the Marines and what a rough time that was for you. But you survived and went on to accomplish what you had started out to do. I am so proud of you.
I also remember well the revival night when you, Leroy, Bill and I walked down the isle of First Baptist Church in Indianola and accepted Jesus into our hearts. That was a very special time. I didn't understand a whole lot about what I was doing then but God understood and He has "grown" me a lot since then.
I am praying for you constantly and hoping for a good report.
I love you, Karen
Tuesday, October 30, 2007
Dear Friends and Family,
Thank you so much for all of your kind words. Today was a very long day for us all at the hospital, but Dad is still hanging in there. He was awake and alert for a little while this evening, and his granddaughter, Michelle, reminded me of an email I had sent the immediate family about 2 years ago. It is at the bottom of this email. We read it aloud to him and he nodded along with every word - acknowledging his amazing early years in aviation.
We can tell he is with us mentally - even though he can't respond with words. I shared with him this evening the many people who have called and emailed in the past few weeks. His eyes lit up when he heard your names. This last Friday, Jenny, my Mom and I were reading "get well" cards to him and he had a very similar response. At one point, he even grabbed for a card, wanting to read it for himself.
So many of you have asked if you can do anything - and one idea that came is to share this gift that we have - these precious hours with him. If you feel so inspired, please feel free to share your memories, stories, messages, etc with him. We can then take turns in the hospital reading your words to him. Just email them to me. (And of course, feel free to forward this on to anyone who might have something they would like to share and just have them send me an email).
Thank you again for your amazing love, support and prayers. It is a truly beautiful thing to see all of the lives he has touched. Our appreciation is beyond words.
Love,
Noelle
Thank you so much for all of your kind words. Today was a very long day for us all at the hospital, but Dad is still hanging in there. He was awake and alert for a little while this evening, and his granddaughter, Michelle, reminded me of an email I had sent the immediate family about 2 years ago. It is at the bottom of this email. We read it aloud to him and he nodded along with every word - acknowledging his amazing early years in aviation.
We can tell he is with us mentally - even though he can't respond with words. I shared with him this evening the many people who have called and emailed in the past few weeks. His eyes lit up when he heard your names. This last Friday, Jenny, my Mom and I were reading "get well" cards to him and he had a very similar response. At one point, he even grabbed for a card, wanting to read it for himself.
So many of you have asked if you can do anything - and one idea that came is to share this gift that we have - these precious hours with him. If you feel so inspired, please feel free to share your memories, stories, messages, etc with him. We can then take turns in the hospital reading your words to him. Just email them to me. (And of course, feel free to forward this on to anyone who might have something they would like to share and just have them send me an email).
Thank you again for your amazing love, support and prayers. It is a truly beautiful thing to see all of the lives he has touched. Our appreciation is beyond words.
Love,
Noelle
Some of you may know about Bob's hospitalization but since I am not sure, this information may be redundant. Bob was in the middle of moving the address book to g-mail from incredimail so I hope I am not missing anyone.
On Saturday, Oct. 13, at about 10:30 am, Bob was taken by ambulance to Valley Medical Emergency. I had thought he might have had a stroke from his actions and slurring of words.
At 2:00 pm he went down for a brain scan and when he came back up he was in a coma. They had given him Ativan because he was too anxious to keep his head still. He did not come out of the coma in the two-three hours which is normal. After several hours they realized he should have been conscious so started to try to revive him.
He coded blue at about 1:30 am and was resuscitated and then a few minutes later coded again. He has been slowly improving over the last two weeks. He was moved from Critical Care to intermediate care and then two days ago to the regular floor. He could track us with his eyes, was totally able to follow a conversation and answer questions with nods. He had considerable nerve damage and they were about to start physical therapy; gentle stretching exercises.
Then last night at about 3:00 am, he coded again and was once again resuscitated. He is responding a little bit, but it does not look good.. As of right now, they think he may have had a heart attack. We are waiting for the latest x-rays. Blood thinners caused internal bleeding, so they had to take him off of them. They are stabilizing his blood pressure with medication, and he is back on a mechanical respirator.
We will continue to update everyone as to his progress. Please pray for him and all of us. The five children have been here with him as much as their work schedules allow. The first week. all five took the entire week off. Spouses were able to get some days off too. Noelle is our message handler - her e-mail is noelle.smithhart@gmail.com. Please pray for him.
Thanks, Priscilla
On Saturday, Oct. 13, at about 10:30 am, Bob was taken by ambulance to Valley Medical Emergency. I had thought he might have had a stroke from his actions and slurring of words.
At 2:00 pm he went down for a brain scan and when he came back up he was in a coma. They had given him Ativan because he was too anxious to keep his head still. He did not come out of the coma in the two-three hours which is normal. After several hours they realized he should have been conscious so started to try to revive him.
He coded blue at about 1:30 am and was resuscitated and then a few minutes later coded again. He has been slowly improving over the last two weeks. He was moved from Critical Care to intermediate care and then two days ago to the regular floor. He could track us with his eyes, was totally able to follow a conversation and answer questions with nods. He had considerable nerve damage and they were about to start physical therapy; gentle stretching exercises.
Then last night at about 3:00 am, he coded again and was once again resuscitated. He is responding a little bit, but it does not look good.. As of right now, they think he may have had a heart attack. We are waiting for the latest x-rays. Blood thinners caused internal bleeding, so they had to take him off of them. They are stabilizing his blood pressure with medication, and he is back on a mechanical respirator.
We will continue to update everyone as to his progress. Please pray for him and all of us. The five children have been here with him as much as their work schedules allow. The first week. all five took the entire week off. Spouses were able to get some days off too. Noelle is our message handler - her e-mail is noelle.smithhart@gmail.com. Please pray for him.
Thanks, Priscilla
Saturday, October 20, 2007
Just a quick update, I am leaving to relieve James at the hospital---he spent the night there. I will tonight. I asked people to pray for a miracle and I feel the prayers are being answered. Two nights ago one of his five specialists (Doctors), told me that he has improved much better than they expected him to!! Yesterday they removed Bob from the respirator, he is still on oxygen, but breathing fairly well on his own. He had his third dialysis, the first time for a four hour treatment. He is still on antibiotics for the staph infection and will be for at least a week. He has not spoken yet, but because his throat is so raw, he has been told not to!! His eyes are open fully most of the time and he tracks us constantly and communicates through nods or hand squizes. He naps and sleeps a lot. His blood pressure, pulse, sugar, etc... are in a good range. If I am not too tired, I will update tonight or tomorrow. Thank you for all the prayers, please continue!
Love, Priscilla
Love, Priscilla
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