Both Hands Project Countdown

Says: SAVE FOR TEAM DEPOT PROJECT *FRANCINE VERBEKE* LIFESONG

Today marks 6 days until our Both Hands Project to help a wonderful woman named Rosie. I know some people may not understand or feel lead to adopt, but our family could not feel more lead by God to adopt our son. There have been so many miracles happen throughout our journey. The latest being the donation of material and volunteers from a local Home Depot store. They have been AMAZING! I have yet to meet the manager, Stacey, who I have only spoken to twice, but have emailed back and forth. Yet through her hard work on the store's end, she managed to gain the materials for us and even had the lumber cut to the specifications needed to build our steps in order to save us on time & equipment. I will meet with her this week so I can photograph her for our video, but in the meantime, here is a few pics. from us picking up the materials. When we committed to this project it was to help raise funds for our adoption, while this is still important, is has taken a back burner to our NOW commitment. Seeing our team come together, even though it will be in the triple digits, seeing the material donations come, seeing the smile on Rosie's face this evening as we unloaded supplies, and mainly, sharing Christ with others that we tell about the project. This is what it has become for us, Christ's story and He allowing us to spread His message.

Six Weeks Seems Like Six Years

It's been a bit since I have posted, we have been hands-down, busier than we have ever been. We have swim practice twice daily w/kids, swim meets every Wed. & weekend, Vacation Bible School (we are teaching), grandkids staying on & off (2 month old through 6 yr. old), dentist, orthodontist, and dr. appointments, fundraising preparations, side jobs to raise funds, summer fun with kids planned, etc., etc, etc. But no matter how MUCH we put on our plates to keep us from thinking about the WAIT or the saying "the busier you are, the faster time flies", it doesn't matter. This next 6 weeks will be the agonizing wait.

We are in the "Article 5" wait right now. It will be (hopefully) picked up on the 19th, couriered to where it needs to go and then comes the 3-4 week wait for Travel Approval, then the 2 day wait to get a consulate appointment THEN we can make our plane reservations!

Zander just received his package from us last week. I am really impressed with the USPS, it took less than 2 weeks! Here are some new pics of him in his new outfit. I absolutely LOVE the pictures of him looking at his recordable V-Tech photo album. He looks so curious!

All Smiles!

Zander's Classic Look

Looking at Sister Carmen

Who Are Those People?

Mother's Day With My Girls

My Mother's Day was one of the best I have had. 

I have been blessed by our daughter Brandy by having 4 beautiful grandchildren and the fact that she got to spend her Mother's Day with all of them by her side. 

I was blessed by Alex by her coming over and having her 2nd swim lesson full of laughs and trust and a yummy fruit bouquet. 

I was blessed by Carmen by waking up to 12 (because that is her age) 11x14 sheets of paper of poems and sayings dedicated to my being her mom, all were taped with black electrical tape to 12 different places with flowers taped to them also. 

I am blessed with Zander, knowing he will be with us for my next Mother's Day and knowing he is with his wonderful foster mom this day.

I am blessed beyond measure for all of my treasures because they keep me close to God, through their struggles I pray, through their joy I give thanks, and through it all I give praise because I am so thankful for our children.

My Mom: I hope my mom, Glenda, is able to look down from Heaven and know how much I love and miss her. She was a wonderful woman inside and out with a heart of gold. Always caring, always there for another person and never thinking badly of anyone, she always gave everyone the benefit of the doubt toward goodness.

My Mother-In-Law: My MIL Judy gave me one of my greatest loves, my husband Tim. She works harder than any woman I know, she works tirelessly with her husband. I love her dearly. Today she had the whole family over to her home to celebrate not only Mother's Day, but also her grandson Nick's graduation and Easter (that was rescheduled because of illness). Thank you for being such a wonderful Mother-In-Law.

Mother's Day 2012

Today we celebrate mothers everywhere of every age, ethnicity, from all over the world. But today I would like to say thank you to a very special mother. I don't know your name, I don't know where you live, I don't know what it was like for you carrying your son and then having to make the courageous decision to place him where you knew he would be found right away and have a better life than you could provide. I don't know the where, why, or how of that day, but I want to say thank you from the bottom of my heart. My heart aches for what you must have felt and still feel. That little boy will very soon become officially our son, and without you, there would not be him. This poem is dedicated to you, I pray that one day, one way, we will meet in Heaven and I will be able to thank you there.

A Mother's Day Poem

Once there were tow women who never knew each other

Once you do not remember, the other you call Mother

Two different lives shaped to make you one.

The first one gave you life, and the second taught you to live it.

The first gave you a need for love, the second was there to give it.

One gave a a nationality, the other gave you a name

Once gave you a talent, the other gave you aim

One gave you emotions, the other calmed your fears

Once saw your first sweet smile, the other dried your tears

One made an adoption plan, that was all that she could do

The other prayed for a child, and God led her straight to you.

Now, which of these two women, are you the product of?

Both my darling, both, just two different types of love.

 - Author Unknown -

God doesn't make mistakes, every child is a blessing and has a purpose. 

Psalm 139:13-16 

For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place, when I was woven together in the depths of the earth. Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.

Sharing a God Story

If anyone followed our journey as we went on mission as a family last summer (hint: www.verbekefamilyonmission.blogspot.com), you will know how we fell head-over-heels in LOVE with a set of twins from the Chenzhou SWI. There names are Lingli & Lingyi. One of the twins was healthy as could be, while the other was on an IV drip every morning and lacked muscle tone in her movements. But boy could she eat!

After we came home I was on a quest to adopt these girls, they were our girls, they had our heart and it killed me to leave them in that orphanage. Long story short we tried everything in our power to start their paperwork, got all information on them, contacted everyone we knew that might be able to help, etc. All to no avail, we weren't meant to be their mommy and daddy. This was an extremely hard reality to face. Then we found Zander and the world was right. He was the one meant to be our child, chosen by God to be our son.

This didn't mean we forgot about the girls, only that we had to pray that somehow we could be a part of their journey. Every month I would email their SWI asking questions, or we (via a friend, Shannon) would receive photo updates and we could see they were growing and looked healthy, but they were still in an orphanage.

Well a few days ago we received an email asking if we knew anything about the girls. We didn't reply right away, in fact we didn't reply at all, I just needed more information from the person asking about the girls. Then it came, an email with a request to contact the new mother who had accepted a referral for the girls.

Please bear with me as I draw this scene, children from China are placed all over the world, Europe, Netherlands, Amsterdam, Italy, Canada, England, etc. and I had the phone number of their new mother (I can't give names in order to protect their adoption). I called and left a message and within a couple hours received the return call. There family has 6 children (we were told at the beginning that twins were only placed with couples with no children, God working here the sign should read). They have 5 bio and 1 adopted. She was very worried about Lingli's special need and said I helped her calm fears she had.

Then came the blow (good one!). The family only lives 2 hours away from our family! Only God can orchestrate such a blessing. The girls are also almost the exact same age as our Zander. We plan on seeing them when they are home.

Remember, nothing, NOTHING is bigger or above God's power.

Blessings,
Francine

LOA - Waiting Update

Well, there's not much to post regarding our agonizing patient wait for our official Letter of Acceptance from China approving us to be Zander's parents. We have seen this go anywhere from 37 days to 176 days. When I have questioned what determines the number of days for approval, no one knows, it's just a gamble in a huge pot of LOAs.

We are officially on day 58 of our wait. Each day is a bit different, there's an anxious exhilaration on some days, just anticipating that "TODAY" is the day our LOA could come. Then by the end of the day I'm deflated. Then other days so much is happening it doesn't even cross my mind once (ok, who am I kidding, it crosses several times, I just to dwell).

Our contact from our agency just notified me that we are being transitioned to another agent. I thought it was because each agent has their own specialty and we had "graduated" from her class, which was meaning to me  we were getting much closer. NOT! Today I found out that our transition was due to our current agent leaving the company. Not in a bad way, she has decided to stay home with her own children, which I relate and admire also. It just bums me out because we really loved her. On with change right!

Tomorrow is a new day!

Sophia Lyn Verbeke

We have a new addition to our family. Our 4th grandchild and 3rd granddaughter, Sophia Lyn Verbeke was born Saturday, April 7th at 3:48 pm. She weighed 5 lbs. 10 oz and was 17.5 in. long. She has a full head of black hair and is the most beautiful little girl. She looks just like her mom, Brandy, when she was born. Big brother Richie and sister Savannah are extremely proud of her, sister Kalya who is only 14 months older doesn't know what to think of her except she likes to take Sophia's bottle, blanket and pacifier and Sophia doesn't talk back. Here are some pics of our newest beauty.

Mom, Brandy with Baby Sophia

Dad, Nathan, with Baby Sophia

Big Brother Seth (Richie) with Sophia

Big Sister Savannah with mom & Sophia

Baby Sophia wide awake

Big Sister Kalya with Sophia, she doesn't quite know what to think

All Roads Lead to God - Just Travel With Him As Pilot

Every Road Leads to God - Our GPS is just put on Scenic Route Sometimes

I have sat down several times with my computer just contemplating (big word eh?) on what to write about. There are so many things happening to so many people in our lives that I want to journal about each journey, but that would take days into weeks, into years...you get the picture. But what I have been thinking about the most, is each of us has to travel our own road, and each road will have it's hills, curves, potholes, smooth straight-aways, and rocky gravel. But the end will always lead to God because of our free will and choices. It doesn't mean everyone will choose Him, in fact, some will deny Him, some will ignore Him, some will deny He even exists, but in the end, we all will face the end of the road, our own mortality, and then come face to face with our Lord and our final destination. It's how we are traveling that matters and if we choose the correct road.

Many people I dearly love are going through such rough times. I read a dear friend's blog who is traveling a road of breast cancer while praising the Lord for her walk, a young teen girl, not even with her license yet has been traveling a road filled with pot holes and just learned yesterday her teen brother has taken his own life, she sits with the other youth supporting her this evening, praying for her. Another friend living in another state battles with a multitude of cancer riddling her body while her main concern is how her husband and daughter are traveling their road, another dear friend loses her beloved nephew of only 18 in a motorcycle accident and she watches as her brother tries to gather the tools to put together a way to navigate the new map of his life. 

What is our role in all the highway and bi ways of others traveling beside us. I believe that the biggest support we can have for anyone going through anything is as our youth pastor said tonight, "Just show up" you don't have to say a word, just be there.  Be there with prayer, with a hug, with food, with love, but be there. 

Please be in prayer for the many people in my life that are facing such challenges, I could name them, but God knows who they are, I just ask for their salvation, for peace for them and their families and miraculous healing if that is His will. Most of all I ask that you pray that in every instant that His glory shines through.

Heeeerrrreee's Zander! Starring Zander!

UPDATE: We are now 39 days into our wait for our Letter of Acceptance from China. We have been following many other families during their wait and most are at 70-76 days. If that's our case, we're over half-way there WooHoo!


We have been blessed once again by our friend, Lori Printy, with this video of our little boy. He doesn't seem too troubled by anyone there, just very curious as to who everyone is and why they are there. It was nap time and there was a lot going on at the time Lori got to visit. I have watched this video over and over and over again. Here are a few of the things I've been able to pick up in conversation.

They call him Jin Jin (I believe because his Chinese name is Jien) Lori told him "I know your mommy, you have a big blonde sister, you'll have to get used to blondes." He was brought to the foster home in February, a very sick little boy, the mom here said she didn't think he was going to make it. One hospital wouldn't admit him, then the international hospital admitted him, but they had to have payment up-front. He had his heart surgery and soon after he came home he started fattening up :). He had his club feet casted last summer and has them off, but he is very wobbly on his feet. Many children who have club feet have very tiny feet and learning to get their balance for walking takes a while, so it may be a while before he's walking.

He can say mom and dad and he knows several words in sign language that he has picked up from teaching the home teaching 2 deaf children to sign. The thing we were extremely happy to hear was that his asthma has improved so much, that he isn't on a daily breathing treatment any longer and has stayed very healthy since being off of it! God is so amazing! I will quote Lori verbatim here, "It was minutes before he went up for a nap. I checked on him a little later and he was in his nanny's arms getting a bottle. No propped bottles there. They are so well cared for. BY FAR the best care I have seen in the 15 orphanages I have visited. Cant wait for you to bring him home." I don't know about others adopting, but I can imagine, these words to us meant nothing short of tears of happiness and gratitude for his caregivers.

There's been a lot going through my mind this week. Heavy things. I was blessed to watch the journey of a friend bring home her daughter from China. I cherish her frankness and real-life adoption story because it wasn't sugar-coated, she told it like it was, and for her, it was a hard 2 weeks in China with her newest little princess. This made me start thinking of "What will it be like for our family?"

Zander has only known one home, a wonderful home with a foster family, a loving home, lots of attention and one-on-one care. Whereas our friend's little girl suffered in one of the poorest orphanages, not even knowing how to speak at age 3, then she was moved to a wonderful orphanage where she started to learn, but it was still an orphanage, without a mom or dad to call her own. But now she is adjusting and settling into her new family. She and they are so blessed to have one another and for us to call them friends.

Recently my oldest daughter quoted, "It takes a village to raise a child." This title was given to a book written by Hilary Clinton. But the proverb comes from African decent. There are others variations of this proverb in Africa, "A child does not grow up in a single home", "A child belongs not to one parent or home" etc.

This made me think of moms from the US. I truly believe it takes a "village" to raise a child. But the child must have a caretaker where they will learn to love, they are wanted, they are cherished and will always have someone, and the most important - about God who will always be there for them.

Gathering

It's been a long, long, week, but I believe Zander's first package is just about ready for us to send to him. Sewing & cooking are not amongst my talents, so I thank the Lord that He has blessed me with very talented friends who sew and a wonderful husband that's a wonderful cook.

I found fabric I loved that won't be too hot or too cold, hand his name stitched on, and tonight she sewed it together. I was told he loves to play with cars & trucks. I actually did a bit of hand sewing too, so my touch is on there also.

We have a bit of things still yet to purchase, but the main item, his photo book & blanket are ready to go. Have a blessed weekend!

Let Them Be - Let Them Be

Be careful to listen to all these words which I command you, in order that it may be well with you and your sons after you forever, for you will be doing what is good and right in the sight of the LORD your God.

- Deuteronomy 12:28

For those who have children in their lives and mainly those who have multiple children, whether biological, step-children, adopted, grandchildren, or being their main caregiver during their waking hours, YOU are a major source of example for these little souls God has entrusted to you.

Did you know or realize, WE will be the ones held most accountable for their learning. It is our responsibility to teach them about God, self-worth, and mainly, about loving one another and God.

No matter what age we are, we bring things into their lives. Young parents are more energetic outdoors, middle-aged parents may have less energy, but they have (hopefully) more patience and wisdom, elderly parents may not have the energy either, but they (hopefully too), have the availability, the compassion and patience that only comes from years of learning and parenting. You will NEVER be the same parent to each of your children. Each of them are different, so will be your parenting. Especially if you are blessed enough raise different generations as "VERY" young parents, then "MEDIUM"-aged parents and finally "MATURE" parents. I hope you see the irony I'm getting to here. : )

Just when you think you have it all ironed out, I's dotted and T's crossed, ready, willing and able, God tests you even further. He sends your way a "what if", "did you ever imagine", "will you obey", "can you see My blessing for you?"

God prepares our hearts for all levels of life and will ask very difficult tasks of us. Some we give a roaring "NO" answer to, fighting tooth and nail, kicking and screaming, begging for discernment of "why" we must even contemplate His request" To this He keeps gently saying "Yes, YES, you are prepared, I am with you, I will not abandon you. What I ask of you is My will, not yours, but you will be blessed by following My way." 


We are following His command for us, we are opening our hearts and homes for an even bigger blessing to come. Are we prepared? He tells us, Yes. Are we obeying, Yes. Are we blessed, Most Definitely.

Surrendering doesn't mean weakness, Surrendering mean you are among the most blessed.

Happy Zander Pictures!

Me Me Me!

How Big is Zander???

Playing Peek-A-Boo!

I Am So Big!

Meetcha Days

We didn't think we'd get to see any pictures for quite a while, but Lori, the amazing woman, sent us these pictures of Zander. Lori is the beautiful brunette in the pictures trying to smother from-momma-to-Zander kisses. He didn't look like he was cooperating. But I love the looks he gave her.

 

 
             

Who Are You????

Momma-to-Zander Kisses via Lori!!

Here's pictures of Lori and her beautiful little butterfly, Mia when they met.

Momma Mia, I mean Momma & Mia!!!!

Nolan, Lori & Mia

In Awe of God - Undescribable...but I'll try

He's Got the Whole world in His Hands

A smaller world it is becoming.

Psalm 46:10 (Amplified Bible)
Let be and be still, and know (recognize and understand) that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations! I will be exalted in the earth!




These last 2 days I have been a witness to God's awesome orchestration in our lives. I have been humbled beyond my imagination, weeping in amazement and thankfulness and still to take it all in.

Nine months ago we met Lori Printy. She wowed us with her never-ending energy, spoke about adoption with the assuredness of a seasoned veteran, and became a very good friend over the next 2 weeks. Lori & her husband Dart were in the process of adopting their 3rd little girl, Mia from China (they already had 1 little girl from China, and 1 from Kazakhstan). Through praying, listening to Lori & Shannon, working in the orphanages and being with my family, we decided to pursue adoption from China.

Over the last several months Lori has guided me when I have asked about certain hurdles we were going through (she is a "BTDT=been there done that") adoption veteran. She unknowingly gave me support and hope through struggles just reading her #1 blog  www.fiveofmyown.blogspot.com.

God orchestrated our friendship. God orchestrated our conversation. God orchestrates all.

Please note: the following isn't very accurate, I was very sleep deprived while going through the next conversations.

I was up Wednesday very late with a very sick granddaughter who would fall in and out of sleep. While she slept, I was on Facebook chatting with Lori. You see, I was so happy for her, she & her family were leaving in just a couple of days to finally meet her third little girl, Mia. She had been waiting so long, had gone through so much and moved heaven and earth to get her little girl moved to an extremely good orphanage so that she could get the therapy needed at such a crucial time she needed. God provided. This is one of His miracles, because this is almost never heard of.

A few days prior Shannon (our China trip leader whom I go to church with), said it would be so great if Lori could meet our little Zander when she was in China. This got my mind racing of course since I knew Zander was in Beijing and so was Lori's little girl, but she would only be in Beijing a very short time before they would travel to Mia's home orphanage. I didn't want to ask Lori even about the possibility until I received a Yes from Zander's foster home, which I can email.

After emailing Foster Mom, I learned Lori and she had met several years ago when Lori brought over donations, some to her home. Foster Mom said yes, gave me her email and said to have Lori email her.

While talking with Lori late that evening, I brought up the question, "would you be open, or have time, to go see our Zander?" You see, even though we have pictures, we still had dozens of questions about his health, about him, etc. that had not been answered by authorities yet. Lori said it would be tight, but she would do her best, no promises. I started crying then, just at the possibility that someone we knew would be able to hold our son and tell us about him. I prayed so hard.

Then Lori emailed and we were chatting again and she hadn't heard anything from Foster Mom and they were leaving the next day. Lori gave me the number she was using in China and I felt it just wasn't meant to be, it was out of my hands and I was content knowing we tried.

The baby was up again for an hour, then she slept on me and I dozed for a couple of hours. When I awoke and checked, there was a note from Lori. Foster Mom and she had connected, made arrangements and she would be visiting Zander on Saturday, the 17th. More weeping, more humbling, more prayers of thankfulness.

Lori left the next morning, I was so ecstatic for her family. You know that feeling you get when you're at the amusement park, in the longest line of your life, waiting for the newest, fastest, most exciting roller coaster EVER and a friend is way in front of you in line, but you get to watch them first, feeling their same nervousness, relating to the excitement, not knowing what to expect. Then you see them after they've come off with nothing but smiles of elation, and them saying, "it was so worth the wait". I'm feeling like the one still waiting in line, I'm watching her face, reading her story.

I can hardly explain the feeling of the next 24 hours. I felt this humble peacefulness that could only come from God. I re-read all the emails, FB comments, etc. and nothing short of a miracle from His hand could have orchestrated such planning and be able to make this work.

I checked FB every hour, knowing when their family should be landing, etc. I knew how tired and exhausted they'd be, but at the same time full of adrenaline in anticipation of meeting their Mia.

Finally, I saw the post they had arrived in Beijing and were getting everything settled. I didn't know their exact itinerary or the arrangements Foster Mom & Lori had made. I do know that Lori had to be exhausted though.

My Lord said to me, "Let Be and Be Still", so I did. Then today around noon I saw Lori's next posting (they are 12 hours ahead of our time). it simply stated:

"Can't stop looking at the little doll sleeping next to me...steadied slumbered breathing...becomes mother's lullaby. Contentment has arrived."

She was with her baby girl Mia and of course I was crying again, so happy for her. I closed FB and went about my day. Later I checked her status again to see if she had posted any of their pictures from Gotcha day. Then I happened to notice I had a message, quickly I clicked and there, in what seemed HUGE black letters said I had a private message from Lori. It was the most beautiful pm I have EVER received, it read:

"I met him. He is perfect, a bruiser! Tell Tim he's got a football player on his hands. He is in great hands-like extended family. Lots of pictures & video but will take time to get it to you."

This my dear friends is God's orchestration using a friendship from only 9 months prior, with a wonderful woman who will forever be in my heart for being the first one to hold our son. She knows the ache of getting even the tiniest bit of information you can about your child. She understands how important each little picture is. Lori also had me email her questions I would like answered about Zander if she got to meet him. I sent 20 questions and when she replied, she ended with,

"I will pray over him Francine and tell him his mamma loves him :)

Thank you God for placing Lori in our lives, for allowing our friendship to be kept alive through our journeys and for allowing me to tell of Your love and the miracles you do everyday through ordinary people.

We don't expect to hear anything until Lori and her family are settled, we have already been blessed beyond measure with our news. They are having a whirlwind and this time is so precious. Thank you Lori.

Blessings to all who has taken the time to read through my LONG LONG story. It's been bottled up inside and I can't seem to stop the flow of words coming out or the tears of joy from streaming.

Love
Francine


Here's a picture of Lori & her family getting ready to travel. The next picture is of her other 2 little girls (they are staying with their grandparents in Florida while the family goes to get Mia). Then their is the photo of Mia.

The next photos I will post will be them as a family.

Funerals & Family

Today we buried Tim's last grandparent, his grandmother Doris. Having all my grandparents pass away before I turned 9, except a distant grandmother I never saw, I really never knew what it was like to have grandparents. Here's what I remember.

Arthur, Doris, Alex & Brandy Verbeke Easter (Tim's paternal grandparents)

Going over to my (maternal) grandmother's house every day after school and sitting with her while she cooked. I remember, from the eyes of a child, how very tall my grandfather was, but very quiet. My (paternal step) grandfather as a short Italian man with a full head of white hair & moustache and no teeth. We used to rub his moustache because it was so soft and he would pretend to bite our fingers. Our (paternal step) grandmother was tall with a large stature. She was always in an apron and cooking from the largest pots I'd every seen. They loved one another very much, but I remember when they'd argue, it was very intense and ALL in Italian with a lot of hand motions.

Gus, Alex, Brandy & Edna Rieger Christmas (Tim's maternal grandparents)

When I met Tim's family I felt he was so blessed because he still had 2 sets of grandparents still alive and thriving. The family got together for Easter, Thanksgiving, Christmas and occasionally sporadic. It was huge chaotic fun. As our kids grew, the times together grew more and more sparse because we were going many different ways. I still embraced the times we went to see his grandparents though. He didn't really understand my fascination or need, but when you have been without and given the opportunity to have, take it and cherish what's given.

Richard, Brandy, Glenda & Alex Pretto Thanksgiving (My Mom & Dad)

At my age we have been to many funerals of close relatives, the most heartbreaking one being my mom's funeral. The loss of a loved one in a close knit family can have devastating affects, some for the good, some for the bad. One family was completely torn apart during the death of an uncle, my mom's funeral healed of the pain, but there is a lot more healing to come.

Art & Judy Verbeke (Christmas) Tim's Parents

Today's funeral felt like I was sitting back and watching from old movie slides, where all the drama was slow and happened in pieces. We were reunited with an old parish Priest we really loved long ago, we watched truths come out that had been held inside for decades, we saw relief from loved ones that their mom was out of pain.

But the one thing that brought tears to my eyes is when my mother-in-law, Judy and I were talking about our soon-to-be son Zander. You know the old jokes about in-laws being out-laws, etc. well this was definitely not this time. She was telling me how my father-in-law had just ordered "Chinese geese" for their pond and how he had just ordered 3 berry trees grown in China. All for our little Zander so that he could have heritage at their house. I cried, yes, because one of these wonderful parents came from the woman who we were celebrating in death. Thank you Doris for the most wonderful son a mother could have, because he and his wife gave me the best gift anyone could give, their son as my husband.