Anticipating Christmas

 All the preparations for the Big Event we celebrate create eager anticipation, even longing. Christmas greetings coming in and going out - some in the form of cards, and increasingly more via the internet. 

An annual bike ride Michael enjoys is the Luminary, to see the Christmas lights in areas of Indianapolis. He decorated his bicycle for the occasion. There were only seven riders from Muncie who joined hundreds of others. Unfortunately, the people who used to serve hot chocolate and cookies were not there. 

 

As usual I spent time at my writing desk. This was the view one morning, the moon was still up. The trees are bare now, the weather is very mild for this time of year, and anyone wishing for a white Christmas will be disappointed.

Memories of past Christmases surfaced every day. Here a few favorites from last year. I had forgotten the one representing Mary, Joseph and the baby, which was intended for use as our next Christmas card. Sadly I totally forgot.

Below it you can see how much the babe has grown.

Anticipation took on different aspects. At Stephan and Karen's new house, work accelerated hoping to be ready to host the annual Christmas Eve Brunch and Koch family gift exchange. Read about it here.

If you got all the way through you learned that there was a change of plans. The family event was postponed for a week. The brothers were most definitely sleep deprived working through the night, and their dad spent many hours there as well. The brunch, however, was still on, with one difference - it would be a carry-in instead of the Chef's usual fare.

That's where my hours in the kitchen came in preparing: baked oatmeal, torta pascualina (Argentine spinach pie), Grandma Hoyt's fruit salad, Sharon's sweet potatoes in orange cups. 

So, we had a memorable last brunch in the old house, crowded but cozy and happy. 

I especially enjoyed having the families of our two greats there.

There was also a 16-day-old baby in the crowd. The protective mama allowed Karen the privilege of a few moments. That's when I came up with a question and my camera! She protested, "You can't expect me to answer and take a picture at the same time!" (Sorry, Karen.)

Then there was a tour of the new house to observe the progress and a few family photos outside.

Christmas Day is very different as empty-nesters.  It was a rather quiet time with only Diane here. I confess to feeling depressed. 

I treasured each glimpse into the home celebrations - the old and the new traditions.

Grandma Linda makes pj's for each of the grands every year and that is one gift they open Christmas Eve.

2020                 2021

Kayla's house looks Christmas-card worthy in preparation for the joyful family time. Thank you, Matt, for this snapshot.

On Instagram I followed the household celebrations at Sam and Kristie's and also Malachi and Lexi's.

These beautiful internet gifts ministered to my soul! 

And here's another favorite memory, one of the last Christmases with Mother.

Festivities are not over. The Koch family celebration is now scheduled for New Year's Day! 

Another week

Another beautiful Sunday bouquet from cousin Karin. The more I enlarged the photo, the greater my wonder at the delicate colors gauziness of the petals.

 My friend Georgia came by Monday. I urged her to pick the last of the flowers. She found this beauty.

And she dropped off a favorite sandwich from a local cafe, The Bridge, along with a couple pieces of art. She's been painting rocks and hiding them in places to cheer people. It had been her intention for me to search for them, but since I am confined to my chair for a time, they simply adorned the lunch.

I wish you could appreciate the exquisite details of her amazing miniature art.

The mail brings lovely and fun surprises almost daily. The get-well cards were a delightful mix of humor and sweet sentiments.

Phone conversations can be a wonderful and meaningful diversion. Tuesday was my Uncle Dan's 102nd birthday and I had a lovely conversation with him! He is now the last of the six Hirschy siblings left. He still enjoys life, even with the increasing limitations of his advanced age. He's looking forward to going outside and working in the raised bed garden as the weather improves. I told him I'd think of him as I hobble around with the walker.

Daniel, Philip, Kathryn

Wednesday we went back to the orthopedic center. The ankle is healing with proper alignment so that is good. I now have a walker and have permission to gradually begin to put some weight on that left foot.

Thursday I had special visitors and was allowed to hold my new great grandson!

Destiny, Skye and Kalani

Thanks to this confinement, I had time to remake and finish Kalani's blankie. I didn't like the first attempt so I frogged the project completely (in knitting terms it means to unravel). 

Eyelet Stripe Baby Blanket 

Another type of face-to-face visit was our weekly Writers' Bloc Zoom meeting. These days we are very grateful for technology that allows us to continue sharing each other's writing projects.

Those are some of the interesting distractions of each day. However, every day, all week, I have been plodding on in the process of mailing the surgical mask relief tension bands, as described in the previous blog post.

It's been fun to receive thank you notes, even a photo, and requests for more. So Michael has been busy all week laser cutting hundreds, even thousands more.

On more relaxed days, like Sunday, Michael has fun cooking and baking.

Blueberry Cherry Pie

I heard a Taylor University chapel talk this week, actually by a former student from years ago. His family answers three questions every day regarding Covid 19.

1. What have we lost?
2. What  is not lost?
3. What have we gained?

They are good for all of us to ponder and always remember Jesus' words, "Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid."  Variations of  "Fear not," are as numerous in the Bible as the days in a year.

Mother

It's time to explain my absence from blogging.

 A week ago today, we laid our mother's tired body to rest.
We had said our goodbyes a week earlier.
Soon after the Grace Village Health Care Center was closed to visitors, we were informed that due to Mother's rapid decline we'd be allowed to spend time with her (after being checked and wearing masks, of course).
My brother Alan and I arrived there as soon as we could. From all appearances she did not have long. Like I had done with Dad in his last moments, I began to sing Psalm 23 and broke down after a few lines. I managed to finish the song. But Mother lingered long. We called our faraway siblings and together sang many songs and hymns from our growing up years in Argentina. With the phone close to her ear Ivan said his goodbyes. At that moment we saw the first response. She opened her one good eye and smiled as big as she could under the oxygen mask. Then we called Aldo and again she smiled. Alan was especially moved and grateful when Mother looked at him in recognition, no longer the glassy eyed look. Raquel was on the phone singing to her also. We treasure those moments of recognition and response. There were no more after that. Did her spirit depart at that time, we wonder? Her body took much longer to shut down.
We spent the night and the next day with her but there was no response. Slowly, so gradually her breathing slowed. We went home Sunday night and got the call Monday morning from the nurse who held her hand as Mother's breath faded away.
We rushed to her side again. It was time to call people, make plans for funeral and burial, and pack what was left of Mother's things. Death is NOT pretty. We focused on images of Mother's new reality--the joyous welcoming party in heaven and her release from all the frustrating limitations and infirmities. No longer would she mouth the words, "I can't walk; I can't talk."

Alan and I met with the overwhelmed funeral director--three funerals by noon, a record day! Even so, he was extremely helpful in sorting out the details and complex options of our times. Meanwhile phone calls and messages crisscrossed the country in an effort to put together a meaningful celebration of life service.

Obituary for Kathryn Ruth Hoyt

Aldo (sibling #3) and Alice were able to make flight arrangements from Denver, Colorado, and arrived Wednesday night. We had a day together to work on the program and enjoy their fellowship including a visit to meet our second great grandchild born on the same day as Mother's passing.
I've dubbed March 16 as K-K day - Kathryn went to her heavenly home, and Kalani entered his earthly family. There is another sweet connection between Skye and his great grandmother, they have the same birthday- July 29.

Meeting Kalani for the first time!

Kathryn Ruth Hirschy Hoyt's memorial service, Friday March 20th was unusual and memorable, the last public funeral for a while anyway. It was held in Alan (sibling #5)'s church in order to live stream for all those who could not be there. As it was we had only sixteen attendees, mostly family.
Each of us shared memories. As the oldest, I was first and spoke more about the beginning of her life and ministry. Ivan (sibling #4) and Kim shared via video.
My youngest brother, almost nineteen years difference, came along when I was about to leave for college. He told of difficult and stressful times in my parents' life.

Photo credit: Raquel Hoyt

We shared stories from different periods and perspectives, so many that the service had to be interrupted in order to proceed with the scheduled burial in a timely fashion (and avoid a stiff fine!)

Photo credits: Raquel Hoyt

The family pall bearers made up almost half the congregation! Pastor Aldo handled the committal service beautifully.

Pastor Aldo Hoyt (Photo credit: Raquel Hoyt)

And we headed back to the church to continue the program. No problem, we had plenty of time before the meal, except that the sound and video guys had to leave, so we do not have a recording of the last part--Aldo's memories woven into his pastoral message.

We had talked a lot about the music Mother would have wanted. We had great plans and ideas, but in the end they all fell through. I had found among my parents many papers, fifteen copies of Until Then and took them along. Perfect, just enough for everyone there so we sang together with Alice accompanying us on the piano. What a great message to carry us through until we rejoin our family members who've gone ahead.

We are so grateful for the way everything came together to honor our mother and learn from her life of faithfulness. Alice mentioned that as she was studying Proverbs 31 with a friend, she realized that all the qualities applied to Mom. And in keeping with verse 28, we all rose up and called her blessed!

Robots and much more

Monday, I visited Mother. In the last month or two she has declined noticeably. I wanted to join her in the ArtCare Studio which she's enjoyed so much since being in the Grace Village Health Center. Sadly, she no longer finds her way there on her own and seldom participates. I took her there to see the latest art pieces. 

Mother's last complete painting

 Michael Conley, who so faithfully and graciously leads the program, commented that recently Mother has been more able to color than paint. He pointed out her last completed painting. I commented on the light and shadow. He said she did that totally on her own. Her most recent attempt and incomplete painting shows signs of confusion.

Mother's final attempt

Next we went to the Monday Hymn Sing and joined the large table surrounded by dear elderly residents in varying stages of cognitive and physical ability, but all united in a love for the old hymns whether or not they could still sing.
My former professor, later president of Grace Schools, Dr. Homer Kent, is seated next to Mother.

~~~~~~

I have been enjoying an organic produce delivery program. These are my Misfits for the week.

For me the week was a series of appointments and commitments. 

For Team 1720 it was a race to the finish, to have a working robot and drive team ready for the first district competition Saturday and Sunday. Michael was at the shop most days and survived several late nights. Then Friday afternoon he trudged off on his way to Bloomington with the trailer carrying PhyXTGears' 2020 robot, Infinite Horse Power, along with all the tools and pit equipment.

Saturday was a very exciting day of qualifying matches for Team 1720 as they climbed from the bottom third to #1! Students, mentors, parents watched from the stands. Some of us who couldn't be there were home glued to the livestream.

Teams, fans, and playing field

Others spent a great part of the time in the pits, either repairing the robot or helping other teams with their problems. 

One of the strong points of the FIRST program is their emphasis on cooperation and gracious professionalism. An example of this occurred over the weekend when a team which had lost their funding could only send the coach and one student to the competition. Other teams rallied around them to make up the drive team and work on their robot.

In the pit

After watching the last match of the day, I went to Kayla's house for Destiny's little birthday celebration--a game night.

From this photo, you may not be able to tell that her baby is due in five days! But I have a photo of Destiny and her "Kalani" bump on the job at Ivanhoes.

Instead of getting involved in the big people's game, I enjoyed time with Rebecca. Here she is with the blanket I knit for her as a baby. I think she has a Mona Lisa smile. Which pose do you prefer? 

Sunday Moriah and I had dinner at the Taylor University dining commons then came home to a very exciting afternoon of watching the playoffs with PhyXTGears on the #1 alliance winning all six games!

Sam, Kristie and the boys were there for the amazing finale.
This is my favorite photo from the weekend.

Grandpa explaining the robot to Zion and Jude

Robot competition at Bloomington High School South

The winning alliance

There are two Kochs on the team. Can you find them?

Presents and Presentations

Baby shower decor

For Memory Monday, I chose to remember a former professor and family friend who passed away this month--Dr. John C. Whitcomb. 

How I remember him

This week also marks the seventh anniversary of Daddy's passing. How sweet to imagine them sharing stories together in heaven.

Monday was also the day Kristie received her board certification, even completing the challenging exams a week early. Congratulations! (Effects added for emphasis.)

Tuesday, my new sister-in-law, Raquel, and I had a sweet visit with Mother. We also had an appointment with the same Elara Caring Hospice representative I'd met with some months earlier. Mother's decline is noticeable and this time around they had sufficient documentation to prove eligibility.

Raquel showing Mother photos on her cell phone; Mother re-reading Dr. Whitcomb's obituary

Every time I visit there is some significant change. The surprise this week was that Mother is now eating in a different dining room with aids that help the residents by feeding or cuing. Mother has lost interest in food and/or her brain/swallowing muscle connection is failing.

I greatly missed sharing the mealtime with her former table mates: Margaret, fellow-missionary in Argentina; Bev, long time missionary in Africa; and Vi. The last time I was there we had so much language fun--Bev teaching me phrases in Sango, Margaret saying things in Spanish. The papers that wrap napkin and cutlery are useful for little notes. "Aunt Margaret" has always amazed us with her prolific correspondence. And lately as her friend Kathryn could no longer use her voice, she'd write notes and shove them across the table.

Margaret's note; Bev's Sango lesson

January Taylor University Lighthouse mission trips gave their reports this week in Chapel and individual presentations in the evening. I was able to attend Thursday when Moriah and her team shared about their time in Central Asia.

 The culminating event of the week was to host a baby shower here Saturday for our second great grandchild--Kalani, Skye and Destiny's baby boy due in a couple of weeks.

 

Little shoes, booties, and a beanie

 For weeks now I've been having fun combining yarn scraps with interesting results. This creative outlet all began trying to knit items for the baby. This activity keeps my hands occupied late evenings when we finally sit down together to unwind and watch something before bedtime.

 

As competition season draws near, Michael spends more and more time at the shop. Saturdays are always very long work days. 

After the baby shower and everyone had left, Moriah helped get the house back in order. I think she took pity on me knowing I still had many alone hours ahead. We went for a walk together in the woods, and later she even took me to a very popular concert at Taylor--Nostalgia Night. Thank you, Moriah!

This was the exciting day when all the robot parts came together and they were able to produce a video for Robot Reveal. Teams all over send in 90"clips of their progress in anticipation of the competitions. 

Can you detect any resemblance to an animal?

Sunday afternoon we went to another presentation. Hannah, a Ball State student and PhyXTGears alum, needed an audience to witness her talk "Antibiotic Resistance"in order to pass a class. So, her good friend Moriah, arranged for that to happen in the Euler Science building (Moriah's second home!).

We had to show Hannah the unique features of Euler--the huge rotating mirror that lights up the mosaic four floors below.

And, of course, we had to take our visitor to Ivanhoes!