As she prepares to celebrate the wedding of her youngest child, Pat is rocked to the core with news that something is wrong inside her body. She resolves to face the rare illness just as she has confronted other challenges: head on. After all, life is racing ahead, and it's all she can do to keep up. With her mother's health declining, Pat assumes the role of family matriarch, all the while aware she herself eventually will pass it to future generations through her daughters. For now, it's up to her to continue the family tradition of writing and saving letters that hold together an extended group of her four adult children, growing list of grandchildren, three brothers, and numerous relatives and friends, despite the boundaries of geography. Pat and her family battle hurricanes, medical emergencies and relationship pains. They also share their love of life with big news about romance, babies, job promotions, travel and everyday pleasures. When Pat is forced to make a life-changing decision, she finds that she has support from more than just her family. She also has the inner strength she has carried all along.

Love of Life

By Patsy Gilbert Coleman

AuthorHouse

Copyright © 2011 Patsy Gilbert Coleman
All right reserved.
ISBN: 978-1-4490-9087-6

Contents

Chapter One — Online at Last...................................1Chapter Two — Still Learning...................................17Chapter Three — Desserts of Life...............................47Chapter Four — Listening in Faith..............................63Chapter Five — Laboratory Tests................................73Chapter Six — Life-Altering Events.............................83Chapter Seven — Liberty........................................97Chapter Eight — A Last Goodbye.................................108Chapter Nine — Lilting Interval................................129Chapter Ten — In Light of Everything...........................153Chapter Eleven — Loud and Clear................................168Chapter Twelve — Lucky Lady....................................183Chapter Thirteen — Memory Lane.................................198Chapter Fourteen — Family Legacies.............................215Chapter Fifteen — An Eighth Layette............................229Chapter Sixteen — Levels of Control............................246Chapter Seventeen — Light and Dark Loads.......................267Chapter Eighteen — Lagniappe...................................279Chapter Nineteen — Literary Pursuits...........................290Chapter Twenty — Likenesses....................................301Chapter Twenty-One — Amazing Little People.....................318Chapter Twenty-Two — Long and Short of It......................325Chapter Twenty-Three — Lifts and Shifts........................343Chapter Twenty-Four — Landfall.................................356Chapter Twenty-Five — Layers of Love...........................370Chapter Twenty-Six — Laughing Out Loud.........................382Chapter Twenty-Seven — Lingering Memories......................402Chapter Twenty-Eight — Living Quarters.........................412Chapter Twenty-Nine — Devastating Loss.........................430Chapter Thirty — All the Latest................................439Epilogue.............................................................461Family Photos........................................................467

Chapter One

Online at Last 1998

Subject: Online at last Date: 10/26/98 From: Pat To: Family and friends

Hey, everyone. I'm now set up to participate in the world of electronic mail — what fun to see that little mailbox flag pop up. I marvel at how far we've come from those days when I waited by the mailbox for a letter my groom had written on a U.S. Navy ship weeks before.... Lots to figure out, but Pam gave me a book, and as soon as I've read all 520 pages, I'll probably know everything! I'm sending my love and an electronic smile to all of you.

November 1, 1998

Dear Diary,

It's Pat here, with a little note about Mom I don't want to forget. While straightening things in her apartment the other day, I saw a notebook in which she'd written these few lines that made me tear up and smile at the same time:

Words by George Washington Carver: "I refuse to belittle my soul by letting any man hate me." This is a lonely day. Fall is always sad and lonely with memories. But God always helps me with that! God is my friend, my very best friend. He walks with me all the time and makes me peaceful. It's so wonderful to have Him in my life — taking care of all my anxieties that I imagine are out there.

Subject: No more Honda Date: 11/4/98 From: David To: Family

Well, I told Mom last night on the phone, but then it was too late to call all of you. I was in a doozy of a wreck last night, and nobody was injured seriously. An older man turned left in front of me, my car went off the side of the road, between (not into, thankfully) two large poles and landed in a ditch. Both cars were totaled. Good that my sunroof was open and I could climb out, as neither car door would open. Quite a circus with three fire trucks, three police cars, and two or three dozen bystanders.

I have a very sore back and neck, cuts and scrapes, and huge bruises around the neck and chest from the seatbelt. I'm saying a prayer for the passenger in the car at fault, an older lady who'd recently had heart surgery. She was taken to the hospital to be checked over. One more important note: I consider myself lucky to have walked away, and I think I will appreciate life more from this day forward. Love to everybody.

Subject: Phone call Date: 11/4/98 From: Mom To: David

Davey, I am so sorry about the accident, and so thankful it was not more serious. Getting very banged up, scraped, bruised and contused, hurting your back, the shock and scare and trauma of the collision itself, and the loss of your car — all that's a lot to absorb. I'm thinking about you, saying a profusely grateful prayer that you were able to call me. Wishing you luck with all matters as you begin the process of recovering. I love you, David.

Subject: Re: No more Honda Date: 11/4/98 From: Robin To: David

David, I'm so thankful you're okay, little brother. Please let us know if you need one of us to come down and help you with anything. I love you.

Subject: News to nephews Date: 11/7/98 From: Aunt Pat To: Griff and Adam

Hi, guys. I'm sure your dads have told you about David's car accident and how thankful everyone is that he came out of it without more serious injuries. As your dad said after your wreck, Adam, we can replace a car but not a precious son.

Nana GeeGee wanted me to tell you both hello and send you some "sugar" by this new-fangled type of mail. I just took her home to "Shady Pines" (that's what she's taken to calling the assisted living complex). She had eye surgery this afternoon, after which we came back to the condo for an early supper of sausage, peppers and onions over rice, a favorite of hers. 'Course, she enjoys all food, as you know. And Nana's comment after this second cataract surgery: "I'm sure glad I don't have three eyes."

Subject: Address distress Date: 11/7/98 From: Mom-Pat To: Family and friends

Hmm, I now see it's quite important to place little dots (or not!) in the correct places when addressing e-mail. I've received several notices from "Mailer Daemon" that certain e-mails couldn't be delivered. From now on, I'll need to be more careful.

November 8, 1998 Orlando, Florida

Trinidad, West Indies Dearest Naema,

I'm still excited over your phone call recently and the news of the safe arrival of Raemus, your firstborn, the strong little prince who will forever have your heart. Thank you for letting him hear my voice in a "welcome to our world." I'd love to be able to hold him. Send pictures soon, okay? Of course, I already know you are a beautiful family.

Isn't it wonderful how full of love and joy you feel just seeing, holding, hearing, feeling, even smelling your baby? Oh yes, what a gift, "a part of God we get to hold." You'll never be the same, your life will forever be profoundly changed because of Raemus. Welcome to parenthood!

And on that subject, here's a bit of an update on my kiddos. Fresh on my mind is the close call we had with my youngest son, David, 28. He was in an auto accident but, thanks be to...