A lost little girl

When I woke up this morning I realized that I am no longer anyone's little girl. I must be strong and make my parents proud of the daughter they sacrificed so much for. I am very thankful for the peaceful day that my Dad experienced yesterday. I will miss my Dad and the wonderful way he always made me laugh. He can now rest and be at peace and that is all I could really ask for.
I love you Mom and Dad and I can't begin to describe the hole in my heart since you left.

This will also be my last entry to the blog.

Thank you for all the prayers and wonderful comments on this blog. It was a great way for some of our family to express our feelings. Thank you Steven for sharing your emotions during your journey with Dad. I love you and you have made me a very proud sister.

Suzanne

John William Rogers Rest In Peace

Our father passed away today at 3:55 pm. He was surrounded by people who loved him. He left earth peacefully. We are very proud of the fight that Dad led since September 2008. The Hospice House staff really went out of their way to make the process quiet and serene.
Dad's last activity before his death was a bath....poetic justice, huh? Dad loved a bath more than anything.
Our plan is to head to Dallas to handle all the business affairs of Mom and Dad tomorrow am. We are plannng a celebration of both of their lives at Donna Edwards home in Carrollton, Texas this Friday at 4-7pm. We want to follow up the Dallas event with an Atlanta event to honor Dad's wishes. He requested that his remains be placed in a military cemetery. Pat, Glenda, George, Kay and others.....I will need your help to pull the GA event off.
This will be the last blog entry I make in regards to my Dad. Its been a long journey full of mixed emotions. We were able to share moments with Dad that might never have occurred. When Dad moved into our house in Fayetteville he made the comment that we were making the "Supreme Sacrafice". I don't feel that way. It was an honor to care for Dad. He received 24 hour love and I know he felt safe and secure.
I appreciate everyone who has contributed to the Blog and to the care of our father. We are huge advocates of Hospice House now and will be avid followers and contributors to their fine work.

The Ladies Man

Dad was always dashing and charming....a true ladies man. We are playing this song in honor of this part of Dad...this song is by Dave Matthews:

You've got your ball,You've got your chain Tied to me tight, tie me up again.Who's got their claws In you my friend? Into your heart I'll beat again Sweet like candy to my sou lSweet you rock,And sweet you roll Lost for you, I'm so lost for you Oh, and you come crash into me And I come into you And I come into you In a boy's dream In a boy's dream Touch your lips just so I know In your eyes, love, it glows so I'm bare-boned and crazy... for you. Oh, and you come crash into me Baby, and I come into you In a boy's dream In a boy's dream And if I've gone overboard Then I'm begging you To forgive me In my haste When I'm holding you so girl,Close to me Oh and you come crash into me, yeah Baby, and I come into you Hike up your skirt a little more And show the world to me Hike up your skirt a little more And show your world to meI n a boy's dream In a boy's dream Oh, I watch you there Through the window And I stare at you You wear nothing, but you Wear it so well Tied up and twisted, The way I'd like to be For you, for me, come crash into me, baby Come crash into me, yeah Crash into me...Crash into me...Crash into me...You know, I'm the king of the castle,You're the dirty rascal, crash into me.Please crash into me, baby...Oh, no no no...Yes, I see the waves Come and crash into me.See the waves come and crash into me.Crash into me.

Tuesday

We are here with Dad. He has gotten progressively worse. His blood pressure is 66/40. We really believe this could be Dad's last day with us. We have talked to him and told him about Mom's passing. He understood me. I know he teared up and winked acknowledgement. We are playing music for him in the room. We just got through playing "Unforgettable" by Nat King Cole. My favorite song is playing right now. Its a song by Peter Tosh. The lyrics are below:

Fools Die.....The lips of the righteous teaches many But fools die for want of wisdom.. The rich man's wealth is in the city.... Vexation of the soul is vanity.... Destruction of the poor is their poverty ...The poor man's wealth is in a holy, holy place... Why do you fight each other... Why do you kill your brother... Then your reward will be the cemetery... We got to build a better nation... Clean up, clean up Jah creation... Or there will be no future for you, you and me.

It is a beautiful reggae song that can be interpreted many, many ways.

My world came crashing down!

The range of emotions I have felt over the last few days is unbelievable.  No one expects to lose both parents so close together.  I have lost my best friends and my biggest fans.  I love my parents with all my heart and words cannot express how much I will miss them.  I know God will see me through this difficult time but my heart won't stop aching.  Not only do I appreciate my parents for ALL they did for me, they were fantastic grandparents too.  To the BEST Mom and Dad in the world.  You made me the woman and mother I am today. 

I love you both,

Suzanne

Road Trippin'

If you are wondering why we are posting Joyce's information on John's blog site this is why. Joyce had been very involved in John's medical journey. After having John over for Easter dinner with Stuart and Steven she became even more concerned about his well-being. She talked to John about coming up for a visit to Arkansas and John accepted the offer. John was no longer able to take such a journey on his own, let alone drive. So, on Saturday, April 17 they headed out on their final journey together. Joyce drove the 5 1/2 hour drive to Fayetteville with John as her passenger. They didn't even argue, probably thanks to Bobbie's good advice to them both (John, take a pain pill and go to sleep ;Joyce, give John a pain pill and he will go to sleep). They arrived in Fayetteville, had dinner, and watched a movie. The next morning she got in her car and headed back to Dallas. Joyce had a heart of gold.

Joyce Ann Hoover Rogers class of 1959

Thank you all for the thoughts, prayers, cards and flowers. We truly could not have made it through the past couple of days with out you all. Many have asked what they can do and we thought in lieu of flowers Joyce could be best remembered with a donation to the University she loved. Joyce graduated in 1959 with a Bachelors in Science and Education. She was a wonderful artist and enjoyed sharing her talents with those who loved her. Donations will be used in the art department to give art scholarships.

Donations can be made in Memory of Joyce Hoover Rogers.

Attention: University Development
300 University House
1 U of A
Fayetteville, AR 72701