My wife, Evelyn - from Bob

[Bob]

I love poetry and find it comforting (God help me, even very old French poetry), especially images of nature.

Y todo el campo un momento
se queda muda y sombrio
meditando. Suena el viento
en los álamos del rio.

La tarde más se oscurece,
y el camino que serpea
y debílmente blanquea
se enturbia y desaparece.

Antonio Machado

I've always liked this passage.

And all the countryside for the moment
remains silent and somber,
meditating. The wind sounds among the poplars by the river.

The twilight deepens,
and the road that twists
and feebly fades
darkens and disappears.

[Ron Gonzalez]

Bob
The words don't come easy it hard to find the right words to let you and Evelyn know what in our heart. Sandra and I had a good friend pass in 2006 ,he wrote about his own passing, he was 47 his words come to mind .

When I Pass On
I will come back when I pass on, as a beautiful sunset or maybe a song. I might be the birds who sing in the trees, that makes you smile and think of me. I could be the ocean with its waves crashing in,or rain softly dancing on the roof made of tin. I may be the wind as it rustless the leaves that makes you smile and think of me . A shooting star as I race thru the sky , or a wonderful rainbow that I'll paint on the fly. A beacon of light for a ship lost at sea that makes you smile and think of me. A babbling brook , a smooth flowing stream, the peaceful thoughts of a wonderful dream. The clouds in the sky that oh so free will make you think of me . Even though I 've gone , you see I'll be here there's no need to frown, the solution is clear. When the world get you down, look and you'll see, things that make you smile and think of me . For I could't have left you if I knew this weren"t true , so when you feel down I will promise to you , I'll come back as a guide and I'll give you this key " Close your eyes " Softly smils " and just think of me.

Gregory K Michael

[Luiña]

Bob:
No tengo facilidad para expresar mis pensamientos, pero creo que Evelyn tiene la suerte de disfrutar de tu amor y el de vuestros hijos y éso la confortará mucho.

Yo sólo puedo ofreceros mi cariño en la distancia y -como creyente que soy- mis oraciones en esta etapa tan difícil.
Un abrazo

[Raquel M]

Las oraciones que se hacen se reciben como una energia, que lo
acompanan a uno en los momentos mas duros de la vida, me es
dificil describir lo que se siente, pero es como que uno estuviera
acompanado en todo momento y con una paz muy grande.

Me uno a las oraciones, que Dios los ayude en estos duros momentos,
un abrazo, Raquel

[Bob]

Ron, Luiña, Raquel y toos y toes,

Your kindness and support makes more of a difference than you can imagine. Evelyn continues to drift downhill, but is an amazingly strong woman. She wants to watch the US Open (tennis, which she loves) and have a small gathering here for a pizza party. We will do it.

Our daughters are living at our house for now, and our son (Miguelito or Mikey) - who has to work - comes every day. Kat (Kathryn - Catalina) has taken a leave of absence from work to be here. We're in Connecticut and she lives in Maryland. Our granddaughters Lily and Zoe are here daily together with their dad Adam (Adán). Suz (Susan - Azucena) has cancelled her summer class. Lots friends and relatives from all over have visited, and we have had many kind and comforting emails from members of the website.

The American author Tennesee Williams wrote, as the last line in "A Streetcar Named Desire," "I have always depended on the kindness of strangers." No strangers here - we are all linked by what we love - but more kindness than I ever imagined.

We now have a registered nurse at our house 24 hours a day.

Un fuerte abrazu dende New Haven,

Bob

[Barbara Alonso Novellino]

Dear Bob,

To have family and friends around you at this time is very comforting.

The poetry that was sent to you was very beautiful.

I wanted to do something for Evelyn, you and your family. Last Sunday when I attended Mass I lite two candles in front of the Blessed Mother, who I pray to all the time. One was for Evelyn for comfort, the other was for you and your family to give you strength. I will do this every Sunday. Then I spoke to my Parish Priest Father Charles...I told him about Evelyn and asked him to remember her in his daily prayers.

Thinking of you all...

Barbara

[Eric Smith Fernandez]

Bob,

I’m greatful for all the help and information people like you, and Art, IS, Granda, and too many others to name. I’m glad people like you care enough to pass on your family stories, personal accounts and traditions. I haven’t mentioned much about my family, but my grandpa Fernández died at the age of 73, when I was 17. I had so many questions that I never got to ask.

Through this forum and people like you, I’ve been able to fill a void in my life and reconnect with family I still have left. Honestly, I would have not been able to make chorizo without your help specifically. You truly have helped me recreate a family tradition. In fact, I’m making 30lbs next week with a friend. You really are helping us connect the past to the present. I just hope you get to spend as much time with your wife and children talking about old times and current ones too. I’ll be praying for you and your wife and family every night.

Sincerely,

Eric

[Bob]

Evelyn continues to decline. Maybe a day or two at most. Pain under decent control (override on the dilaudid pump) and sedation (lorazepam) and scopalamine patch. Suz and Kat still here. Mikey had to work. Neighbors and other visitors today, more friends from out of state tomorrow. Lots of email from the US, Europe, South American, Mexico.

Our granddaughter Zoe (barely 7) chose to sleep here tonight. Her mom is reading her stories now (almost midnight).

Bob

[Art]

I greatly appreciate Bob keeping us up-to-date and everyone´s support of Bob.

Suronda in an email and Eric in this thread have mentioned the role of the forum in rebuilding connections among we Asturians. This really is a marvelous community! Thanks to each of your for the roles you play!

----------------------

Aprecio enormemente que Bob nos mantiene actualizados y que todos han apoyado a Bob.

Suronda en un correo electrónico y Eric en este hilo han mencionado el papel del foro en la reconstrucción de las conexiones entre nosotros asturianos. ¡Ésto realmente es una comunidad maravillosa! ¡Gracias a cada uno para los papeles que desempeñáis!

[Raquel M]

On Eagles Wings
Written by Michael Joncas

Isaiah 40:31

"But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength;
they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run,
and not be weary; and they shall walk and not faint."


You who dwell in the shelter of the Lord,
Who abide in His shadow for life,
Say to the Lord, "My Refuge,
My Rock in Whom I trust."

Refrain
And He will raise you up on eagle's wings,
Bear you on the breath of dawn,
Make you to shine like the sun,
And hold you in the palm of His Hand.
The snare of the fowler will never capture you,
And famine will bring you no fear;
Under His Wings your refuge,
His faithfulness your shield.


Refrain
And He will raise you up on eagle's wings,
Bear you on the breath of dawn,
Make you to shine like the sun,
And hold you in the palm of His Hand.
You need not fear the terror of the night,
Nor the arrow that flies by day,
Though thousands fall about you,
Near you it shall not come.


Refrain
And He will raise you up on eagle's wings,
Bear you on the breath of dawn,
Make you to shine like the sun,
And hold you in the palm of His Hand.
For to His angels He's given a command,
To guard you in all of your ways,
Upon their hands they will bear you up,
Lest you dash your foot against a stone.


Refrain
And He will raise you up on eagle's wings,
Bear you on the breath of dawn,
Make you to shine like the sun,
And hold you in the palm of His Hand.
And hold you in the palm of His Hand.

[Raquel M]

Mas cerca, oh, Dios de Ti


Más cerca, oh, Dios de Ti,
más cerca sí,
aunque sea una cruz,
que me lleve a Ti.


Si tiende al sol la flor, si el agua busca el mar,
a Ti, mi sólo bien, yo he de buscar.

Mi pobre corazón, inquieto estará
hasta que en Ti, Señor, encuentre la paz.
Ábraseme tu luz, Oh, luz de eternidad,
Cerca de Ti, Señor, yo quiero morar.

Refugio es el Señor, yo nunca temeré,
mi fuerza en el dolor, confío en Él.
Si brama y gime el mar, las olas al romper,
conmigo Dios está : Yo no temeré.

Yo creo en Ti, Señor, Yo creo en Ti,
Dios vivo en el Altar, presente en mí.
Si ciegos al mirar, mis ojos no te ven,
Yo creo en Ti, Señor, aumenta mi fe.


"Pero en cuanto a mí, el acercarme a Dios es el bien..." (Salmo 73:28a

[Raquel M]

Let us pray to the Lord


OUR FATHER

Our Father, Who art in Heaven, hallowed be
Thy Name. Thy Kingdom come. Thy Will be done,
on earth, as it is in Heaven. Give us this day our
daily bread and forgive us our trespasses as we
forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us
not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. Amen.

HAIL MARY

Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee.
Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is
the fruit of thy womb, Jesus.
Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners,
now, and at the hour of our death. Amen.

GLORY BE

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son,
and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning,
is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.


Vamos a rezar

PADRE NUESTRO

Padre nuestro que estas en el cielo
santificado sea Tu nombre
venga a nosotros Tu reino
hagase Tu voluntad asi en la tierra
como en el cielo
Danos hoy el pan de cada dia
perdona nuestras ofensas
asi como nosotros perdonamos
a los que nos ofenden
y no nos dejes caer en la tentacion
mas libranos de todo mal. Amen

Ave Maria

Dios te salve Maria
llena eres de gracia
el Senor es contigo
bendita tu eres entre todas las mujeres
y bendito es el fruto de tu vientre, Jesus
Santa Maria, Madre de Dios,
ruega por nosotros pecadores,
ahora y en la hora de nuestra muerte. Amen

Gloria

Gloria al Padre,
al Hijo y al Espiritu Santo,
como era en un principio
ahora y siempre
por los siglos de los siglos
Amen

[Bob]

Wednesday, July 29, 2009

Evelyn died at 8:45 am, with me and our kids Kat and Suz and Mike at her side, after a night of very labored and intermittent breathing, punctuated with moans. Whether they were the result of breathing difficulty or pain ar attempts to speak, I cannot say.

When I die our ashes will be mixed and buried in Beech Grove Cemetery in Rockport, Massachusetts. The inscription on our stone will include:

I love her even more than small rain loves the gentle earth.
We will dance forever in the small and sorrowful rain.

She never got to write a line for me, so I wrote one for each of us. She always loved the idea that life is not about hiding from the storm, but learning to dance in the rain. And dance in the rain she did through six years of cancer. She was 66 years and 7 months old, to the very day. The most intelligent and loving and playful person I have ever known.

Abrazos,

Bob

[Bob]

All three kids and both granddaughters staying here tonight. A real comfort.

[Raquel M]

Cuando tenga que dejarte
por un corto tiempo
por favor no te entristezcas
ni derrames lagrimas
ni te abraces a tu pena
a traves de los a#os;
por el contrario
empieza de nuevo
con valentia
y con una sonrisa
por mi memoria
y en mi nombre
vive tu vida
y haz todas las cosas
igual que antes.
No alimentes tu soledad
con dias vacios
sino llena cada hora
de manera util.
Extiende tu mano
para confortar y dar animo
y en cambio yo te confortare
y te tendre cerca de mi;
y nunca, nunca
tengas miedo de morir
porque yo estare
esperandote en el cielo!