• What a weekend. Astros baseball with ElenaClaire; Gilbert and Sullivan Sunday afternoon with Alicia. I was in "Pirates" over 36 years ago with a lot of friends of whom I was thinking as I heard and remembered anew all those great songs.
• Several people have remarked privately or on Facebook their appreciation for the video from the service. I'm glad. Some have said that it reminded them of how important it is to use your own influence, just as Mom used hers. Some who knew her were reminded of her influence in their own lives. Some who did not felt challenged and affirmed in their own service to Jesus. Mom would be pleased to know - is pleased to know that even after her earthly race is finished, she continues to mentor and bless others.
• I was thinking about the way music is such a powerful tool. I thought of the 3 songs that were selected for congregational singing at her service ("Day by Day and with each Passing Moment"; "Children of the Heavenly Father"; "Great is Thy Faithfulness") and how those songs (which are probably the same three that were sung at her own mother's service in 1984) will never be mere songs to me. They will convey all the blessings her life channeled to me. Then I recalled the song that I sang to her on May 23, the next to last day I saw her:
"I have a friend who loveth me,
He gave His life on Calvary.
Upon the cross my sins He bore,
and I am saved forevermore."
and to my great and never to be forgotten delight, Mom joined me on the chorus:
"Oh Hallelujah, He's my friend!
He guides me to the journey's end.
He walks beside me all the way,
and will bestow a crown some day."
Then I remembered the end of yesterday's service, when we sang Chris Tomlin's setting of "All the Way My Savior Leads me". Mom never sang that melody, but she certainly sang those verse and would declare their truth even today.
Monday
Sunday
Our Mom's Legacy - a Conversation
This is an excerpt from Mom's Memorial Service, held at University Covenant Church on July 18. A lot of people have commented on how meaningful they found it. Tom, Karin and I are glad to share it with you here.
Barbara's Legacy - a Conversation from Rick Lindholtz on Vimeo.
Friday
Playing for Change: "Stand by Me"
The musical concept: singers and players from all over the world, making music together. I like it. The idea that world peace can be obtained through people singing - OK, that's a little naive at best. But the music is great. Watch and listen to the original track, "Stand by Me".
NASA and Paul - two flashes back to the 60s
Nasa admits that it erased and recorded over the original footage of the first footsteps on the moon. But copies are being digitally remastered - samples are online. Pretty impressive!
While I was flying to California, Paul was performing on top of the Ed Sullivan Theatre marquee. What a sailor's life. Wish I could work it out to catch the Dallas show.
While I was flying to California, Paul was performing on top of the Ed Sullivan Theatre marquee. What a sailor's life. Wish I could work it out to catch the Dallas show.
Friday, July 17
We arrived in Davis late Wednesday night. Yesterday was day of seeing Dad and the gathering family at Tom's home in Elk Grove. While we did all that, Miles bonded with Michael, 11 year old son of Joe. We are staying at Joe's childhood home, with Joe, his son, Mom, sister and brother in law. Their home is next door to my childhood home, and this family is like a second family to me. The only one missing from their family is Ben, my buddy for all those growing up years.
Today is the day of Mom's service of committal - the graveside service committing her body to its final resting place - in sure and certain hope of resurrection to life eternal, as the service says. It is a brief service - no more than about 9 minutes - attended, in this case, only by family. We'll spend much of the remainder of the day at Tom and Lorie's home. Lorie, incidentally, seems to be recovering well from her eye surgery.
Tomorrow is the Memorial Service at University Covenant Church, the ministry founded by my parents and 4 other couples in the early 1960s.
Have you heard of neurotheology? A fascinating piece about experiencing God, from the pages of USA Today. I was particularly impressed with the analogy of the brain as a CD player or a Radio.
Today is the day of Mom's service of committal - the graveside service committing her body to its final resting place - in sure and certain hope of resurrection to life eternal, as the service says. It is a brief service - no more than about 9 minutes - attended, in this case, only by family. We'll spend much of the remainder of the day at Tom and Lorie's home. Lorie, incidentally, seems to be recovering well from her eye surgery.
Tomorrow is the Memorial Service at University Covenant Church, the ministry founded by my parents and 4 other couples in the early 1960s.
Have you heard of neurotheology? A fascinating piece about experiencing God, from the pages of USA Today. I was particularly impressed with the analogy of the brain as a CD player or a Radio.
Wednesday
Dad's email last night - July 7
The Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away. Blessed be the name of the Lord.
I went over after dinner this evening, planning on staying until 8:00 and taking care of her needs before coming home. When I went into the room at abouut 6:15, Mom's respiration was real fast--about 45/min vs the normal 24. She was totally unresponsive, so I thought the end was very near.
Her respiration continued to be rapid, so I just stayed and held her hand. For the first time, I was able to pray that the Lord would take her home. Unrealistically, I had kept hoping that somehow she'd come back, I guess, but it wasn't to be. Things went on like that until just before 8, and I started to care for her personal needs. Just as I was finishing up, I became aware that the respiration had ceased, so I hunted up a nurse to verify it. Actually, two nurses came and both agreed.
I kissed her good night, and told her that I'd see her in the morning. And I felt good that in her last moments, I was serving her in an act of love. I'll always love her, and I'll miss her terribly, but I know I'll see her again.
Love you all,
Dad
I went over after dinner this evening, planning on staying until 8:00 and taking care of her needs before coming home. When I went into the room at abouut 6:15, Mom's respiration was real fast--about 45/min vs the normal 24. She was totally unresponsive, so I thought the end was very near.
Her respiration continued to be rapid, so I just stayed and held her hand. For the first time, I was able to pray that the Lord would take her home. Unrealistically, I had kept hoping that somehow she'd come back, I guess, but it wasn't to be. Things went on like that until just before 8, and I started to care for her personal needs. Just as I was finishing up, I became aware that the respiration had ceased, so I hunted up a nurse to verify it. Actually, two nurses came and both agreed.
I kissed her good night, and told her that I'd see her in the morning. And I felt good that in her last moments, I was serving her in an act of love. I'll always love her, and I'll miss her terribly, but I know I'll see her again.
Love you all,
Dad
Tuesday
My letter to the Kingwood Tea Party Committee
Hello,
Let me set out my credentials first. I am a registered Republican all of my adult life. I have voted Republican in every Presidential election since 1976 and in every Senatorial, House, and state office election. I believe Ronald Reagan was the greatest President of my lifetime, I proudly introduced to 12 year old son to George HW Bush this past spring as they shook hands, and like you I have serious concerns about the direction the nation is headed.
Having said that, I found it troubling to see the tone of your presence at the Independance Day parade in Kingwood, and in particular the yellow sign one of your members was holding that encouraged "Revolt".
It seems to me that Independance Day ought to be one day in the year that we set aside our political differences and celebrate America's founding and common values, rather than making it a divisive day that separates American from American on the basis of political perspectives, as your member's sign did.
My political and economic leanings are with yours; but it disturbs me to see the way America is becoming increasingly a nation of sore losers and whiners. That sign bothered me every bit as much as signs urging "revolt" against the policies of George Bush have bothered me at any time in the previous 8 years of Independance parades.
I am not challenging your right to freedom of speech. I am simply expressing my own to say that I thought it was in poor taste. I had the impression that your people were feeling some negative feedback from the crowd, because less than a half mile from the parade's start, they were already sounding defensive in their remarks to the crowd.
But I took the opportunity to educate my children about the call upon every American to support their government when they can, and to respectfully and responsibly work for change when they cannot support it.
I hope you will evaluate how to present your message in a positive rather than a negative light, so that your message of limited government (with which I agree) will not be lost in the angry and petulant tone of your presentation.
Let me set out my credentials first. I am a registered Republican all of my adult life. I have voted Republican in every Presidential election since 1976 and in every Senatorial, House, and state office election. I believe Ronald Reagan was the greatest President of my lifetime, I proudly introduced to 12 year old son to George HW Bush this past spring as they shook hands, and like you I have serious concerns about the direction the nation is headed.
Having said that, I found it troubling to see the tone of your presence at the Independance Day parade in Kingwood, and in particular the yellow sign one of your members was holding that encouraged "Revolt".
It seems to me that Independance Day ought to be one day in the year that we set aside our political differences and celebrate America's founding and common values, rather than making it a divisive day that separates American from American on the basis of political perspectives, as your member's sign did.
My political and economic leanings are with yours; but it disturbs me to see the way America is becoming increasingly a nation of sore losers and whiners. That sign bothered me every bit as much as signs urging "revolt" against the policies of George Bush have bothered me at any time in the previous 8 years of Independance parades.
I am not challenging your right to freedom of speech. I am simply expressing my own to say that I thought it was in poor taste. I had the impression that your people were feeling some negative feedback from the crowd, because less than a half mile from the parade's start, they were already sounding defensive in their remarks to the crowd.
But I took the opportunity to educate my children about the call upon every American to support their government when they can, and to respectfully and responsibly work for change when they cannot support it.
I hope you will evaluate how to present your message in a positive rather than a negative light, so that your message of limited government (with which I agree) will not be lost in the angry and petulant tone of your presentation.
Friday
Tom's Latest report on Mom
I've been making daily trips to see Dad & Mom since my last note. I haven't written sooner because there hasn't been a lot to report. Physically, Mom continues to decline, slowly. When I got there today she was dressed and sitting up in her wheelchair. Dad had taken her out to the patio for some sun and fresh air. But that seemed to have taken a toll on her energy reserves, and her eyes gave the appearance of someone completely fatigued.
Mentally and emotionally she seems still fully aware of what is going on and responsive. When I walk around the corner into her room, she inevitably smiles and her demeanor brightens. When I kiss her hello she always responds, "I love you, too." Today, as I was leaning over her bed, adjusting and fluffing her pillow, she reached up with her right arm and placed her arm around my back very tenderly, and said, "I love you." So the tender mother-love is still alive and well.
Dad continues to be strong and well by any measure I can see. His attitude remains positive. His humor is intact. We speak openly and candidly. He is going through some very difficult days. But he seems to be doing so in as good a way as I could hope. He continues to set such an amazing role model for me. And one of the great blessings -- and there have been many -- is that Dad & I have bonded ever more strongly through this experience. For years I have considered that I was fortunate to have a remarkably strong relationship with my Dad. But walking through this time together has strengthened and deepened those bonds.
Thank you all for your continued love and prayers for Mom, Dad, and our family. Your prayers have been answered in many wonderful ways. As I told someone recently, If you want to know how God cares for His children in the Valley of the Shadow of Death, you have to walk through the Valley of the Shadow of Death. And though the cost is high, the lessons learned, as is always the case with God, are worth the price of admission.
Love from all of us,
Tom
Tom Lindholtz
Mentally and emotionally she seems still fully aware of what is going on and responsive. When I walk around the corner into her room, she inevitably smiles and her demeanor brightens. When I kiss her hello she always responds, "I love you, too." Today, as I was leaning over her bed, adjusting and fluffing her pillow, she reached up with her right arm and placed her arm around my back very tenderly, and said, "I love you." So the tender mother-love is still alive and well.
Dad continues to be strong and well by any measure I can see. His attitude remains positive. His humor is intact. We speak openly and candidly. He is going through some very difficult days. But he seems to be doing so in as good a way as I could hope. He continues to set such an amazing role model for me. And one of the great blessings -- and there have been many -- is that Dad & I have bonded ever more strongly through this experience. For years I have considered that I was fortunate to have a remarkably strong relationship with my Dad. But walking through this time together has strengthened and deepened those bonds.
Thank you all for your continued love and prayers for Mom, Dad, and our family. Your prayers have been answered in many wonderful ways. As I told someone recently, If you want to know how God cares for His children in the Valley of the Shadow of Death, you have to walk through the Valley of the Shadow of Death. And though the cost is high, the lessons learned, as is always the case with God, are worth the price of admission.
Love from all of us,
Tom
Tom Lindholtz
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