Random musings

Thank you Bev for the opportunity to post thoughts and stories about Mom here. I am so thankful for my Aunties (technically Anties since they're from the north!) who have tirelessly updated this blog, and to all the friends who have followed Mom on her journey and offered words of support and encouragement here. It is truly a place where we find unity and comfort, even when we are far apart.

It's funny...Mom was never far from my thoughts, but now she is ever-present. When I start the car in the morning, I hear her telling me how to merge into traffic (and shrieking when I didn't do it right the first few times). When I grocery shop, I hear recipes she shared in my head...and her laughter when I called her a few months ago to ask how to make sweet tea. In fact, every time I make hot tea, I see her smiling and shaking her head. (Many of you know that I was less than fond of it as a child. Her life would have been infinitely easier if I had embraced it earlier.)

Maddie and Ella Kate keep asking me to tell them stories. There are so many to tell. Most of them involve laughter and hugs...always hugs. I look forward to reading stories that others remember about Mom. Thank you all for sharing her life.

Let Me Be the First....

to say, how happy I am Bev decided to do this. Most of you already know when Donna went into Duke for her transplant, she asked Bev to watch over the blog for her until she could take over herself. Sadly, that day never came, but Bev has greatly honored Donna's wish that the blog would always be a place where people would be "uplifted." That was Donna's word -- uplifted. Bev did such a good job that even now, since Donna has gone Home to her Lord & Savior, I still come here and find comfort. Even in reading some of the harder times as I know those times have passed for Donna. And it makes me feel closer to her to be here from time to time.

Donna would never want this to be a memorial and it won't be. But she would want us to watch over each other, and check in with each other from time to time--reaching out to those who need us. That is what she did in life and I hope we are all as blessed as I think we will be to come here and share our lives together!

Jan 3/31/2009

A Message from Joel

For all you precious people who have prayed and kept up with Donna, please know how thankful I am personally for your prayers, cards, money, and phone calls; also, your visits, food & support for me & all of my family.  We couldn't have substained ourselves thoughout this journey. We love each and every one of you.

Donna was the most precious gift from God I've ever known and she will be missed, but we are all better for having known her.

Thanks to all the friends, family, & church families for giving all your love for all of us.

With Love ALWAYS
Joel Sowers

Donna Lynn Sowers Jan 12, 1956 - March 21, 2009

Dear Friends,

It is with the greatest sadness we tell you that we lost our beloved Donna today. The grief is all ours, but there is joy that Donna is home with her Heavenly Father rejoicing with so many that she helped through the same journey she made herself today...Granny Gusler, Teresa, Grandmom Crabtree and so many others. Our beautiful wife, mother, daughter, and sister touched so many lives that the only way possible for us to reach so many who care about her was through this blog.

The prayers of so many sustained us and Donna through the darkest and stormiest hours in the last few months. God provided so much through so many. We ask that you continue to pray for Donna's husband Joel and her daughters, parents, sisters, brother, grandchildren and the multitude of lives that will go on missing a piece.

Arrangements are for a wake to be at Woods Funeral Home in Floyd on Monday evening, with services and a celebration of Donna's life on Tuesday at 11:00 a.m. at Antioch Church of the Brethren in Rocky Mount. We will post full details by Sunday evening.

Thank you to all who gave of themselves and offered their prayers during the past difficult months. The earthly suffering will be great for us, but Donna's suffering has passed and for that we are truly thankful.

Love,

Donna's Family

Prayers Up for Donna

Saturday 3/21: Donna was taken to ICU this morning with trouble breathing. She is sedated and on a ventilator. That is the extent of what we know right now. Please keep her and her family in your prayers.

Amazing Grace!

Donna is still doing well in her "new home" at RMH. She's been receiving lots of visitors and continues to work hard toward her ultimate goal of going back on top of the mountain!

There isn't a lot of medical updates to be talking about right now. Her doctors at RMH are still assessing and plotting a plan to help Donna move forward.

Everyone I speak with who has been following Donna's progress cannot speak about her without giving all the praise to God. He has and continues to show all of us His amazing grace.

A Message from Jan

Started off this morning like most, up at 5:30, coffee on, the world's most disorganized kid out the door to school, whew! That done, started to write Bev a "quickie update" because the news has just been so good that we couldn't wait a full week to share it. I jotted a few lines about Donna's soaring spirits and Dr. Merten's "fresh eyes" on Donna's many challenges, and our thankfulness for these things. Then I took a sec to think about a possible video to go along. In the quiet seconds, a little song I learned when I was probably 5 or so came to mind. I must have sung this a million times, and probably have taught it to a hundred children, but I've never really REALLY heard it, until today. I quickly found the song which is really Isaiah 40:31 put to music. As I watched the video, I really heard the words and understood God's message--words He ordained at the beginning of time that are so personal to all of us today. How special is that? We have shared despair and we have shared joy so great it is overwhelming. When I listened to God's words today I knew that when I despaired I had forgotten to wait on the Lord. Donna did not forget though, and God has truly renewed her strength & spirit. Praise to God for giving us all the answers!