Dad 2011 Nov. 3

Over the past two weeks, I have found myself craving root beer (Dad's favorite soda) and wearing purple more than ever before. I gave out toys as well as candy this year for Halloween and the only 2 items left over were 2 purple rings that I am wearing on my finger. Strange because my grandchildren took me out for dinner and my neighbor gave out my candy for me. I have felt Dad more than I have in a long time and know he is happy.

Loved the pictures of Mom and Dad's headstones that one of Jo Ellen's friends took for all of us. They are beautiful and represent those attributes and favorite things of both of them. I wish I was close enough to go be there and feel again the peacefulness of the place. So beautiful.

Dad used to tease us and tell us that when he died to just put him in a burlap bag and dump him in the Mississippi River! He was somewhat serious about it, but we always knew that would never happen. We asked him about where he wanted to be laid to rest and at first he said Seattle but changed his mind and wanted to be with Mom.

Dad had a habit of going around the house at night without anything but his underwear and one of the funniest things that still makes me smile is when I got him some pajama bottoms and I misjudged the size and they went all the way up to his chest! He came out and acted like he was a runway model posing for us in various ways. I guess you had to be there, but Jo Ellen got it on her camera (is that right)? The 3 of us laughed for a good 1/2 hour over that. I had night duty most of the time and would end up watching the Golden Girls with him a lot of nights. He loved that show and was always laughing at their antics.

There are so many memories of the 9 months total that I spent with him in Illinois, and now is not the time to share them all, just know that most of the time, Dad was very happy and we took him on outings all the time. Sometimes, just him and me, sometimes Jo Ellen, Dad, and myself and of course at others with the entire family in Nauvoo.

I wish that all of us as the children of Mom and Dad, could have spent time together with Dad during this time, but understanding it was not to be.

My heart and my thoughts are with Mom and Dad, and thinking of Montana and their beautiful property there today more than ever. I also want all family to know how much I love all of you and hope that forgiveness of any past wrongs will bring us all together again. That is my wish.

Your sister, cousin, niece, friend,

Lee (Ann) Westergren Hopkins

2 November, 2011

Wow I can not believe how fast this last year has gone. Tomorrow on November 3rd. will mark the 1 year anniversary of Dads passing. I will be wearing Purple in his honor.



I miss Dad so much, I think of him daily and remember the precious times we had. How this horrible Disease was a blessings at times.

You see for me it was hard most of the time but beautiful at times because it allowed me to get to know Dad in a way I might not have been able to do otherwise.

Growing up I got to know Dad as my Daddy and Father, as an adult I got to know him as an adult, then as the Alzheimer's grew more prominent and Mom saw it, and asked me if I would watch over him and take care of him as he progressed before she passed away.

I got to know Dad as a young adult not just a forgetful man. I then saw him as he would have been a rebellious teenager,Wanting his way and trying whatever it took to get it. Those were frustrating days for me but we got through them. Then a child full of joy for everything especially the simple things. The laughter of telling me stories he told me so many times over and over again during this stage sometimes laughing so hard that tears would roll from our eyes and our stomachs would hurt.

Then as a toddler Frustrated because he could no longer read or walk or do the things that he wanted. How he enjoyed the simple things that we all take for granted seeing the animals, smelling a flower, going for a walk a good sip of Root beer his favorite drink. Then as an infant when he could no longer speak or do anything for himself. It was then that I got to know Dads spirit. His loving spirit and longing to be touched and held and have his hair brushed. I LOVE YOU DAD!

I know we all have great memories of Dad and I would love to see some of your memories of both Mom and Dad on here please feel free to share them. I know everyone would enjoy them.



February 14th will mark the 11 year anniversary of Moms passing. I miss her also as equally. I have many fond Memories of Mom. I saw many sides of Mom as well. But above all she was a great Lady. So generous and kind and forgiving. She so wanted to help those in need as she was able. So concerned about her family and her children holding together as a family after she passed away. She expressed this to me so many times that last year of her life. She Loves you all so much. She loved the animals in nature so much. From her pet Skunk (Mr. Waddles) to the deer and the mountain lions. She loved and respected them all.

One thing Mom taught me was to appreciate the little things God created. The delicate petals and beauty of a flower, the tiniest of shells you find on the beach. To slow down and look at the beauty and nature around you, that you would see thing others might miss because you took the time to look.









So as I come to a close for this posting I want each of you to know How much I truly Love you all. I want you to know that if I have offended or hurt you in any way I am truly sorry and ask for you to please forgive me. I want us to be a family again to rely on each other to be friends to Love each other.

With all my heart and Love

Jo Ellen