Our late summer/early fall took a turn that I wasn't expecting. We had spent a wonderful summer in Eau Claire (northern Wisconsin) to be close to family, especially my mom Allene Skapyak Freimuth. She had been diagnosed with Parkinson's a number of years ago and did her best every day to live with the symptoms. Luckily, she had my sister and brother close by who checked in with her every day. My mom lived in a brand new facility, assisted living with all sorts of fun things to do. She especially loved bingo, Wii bowling (which she learned from her two oldest grandchildren many years ago), music nights and being involved in planning activities for the residents. During the summer, I spent a bit of each day with her and came to know the staff and facility quite well.

Funny that, while she needed some physical help, her mind was a sharp and witty as ever. She loved to write and the Parkinson's (she called it "Mr. P") limited that but she still was able to dictate stories or "pen and paper" them as much as possible. The staff loved her, visiting often even when not needed. She had a bowl of Hershey's Kisses on her counter and always instructed visitors to have a "kiss"! She told jokes (sometimes the same ones over and over!) and shared stories with all comers. She was concerned about how her symptoms looked and sometimes stayed quietly in her apartment instead of going downstairs. Family and friends came often to get her out, especially for the Thursday Happy Hour and the Friday "Music and Mingle". Funny story - my mom was very social and when she moved in, Music and Mingle was the first thing on her agenda. While the musicians played, she "mingled" until someone shhh'd her. Wait, she thought, she was just doing what was expected - mingling! Anyway, she stayed quiet but just a little sassy during her next visits. Another of her favorite things was a visit to the Dollar Store. Her favorite gift, she said, was a $25 gift certificate - she pushed her cart up and down every aisle, always finding a treasure!

She loved music, any kind, but would sing along to her old favorites and frequently asked me to pull up a song she remembered on YouTube. She also had a cassette of her mom's (my grandma's) voice telling her own stories that was made way back in the 70's that was listened to over and over again. She enjoyed "visiting" with the grandkids and great grandkids during Skype visits or reading emails.

She loved picnics, chicken alfredo, Friday fish fries (Wisconsin style) and breakfast out. Her medications asked her to stop drinking but she loved wine and gin and tonics. Even a beer, if that was offered, was enjoyed. One of our last get-togethers was a picnic with family and good friends - sandwiches, potato salad, pickles and chips on paper plates. It was perfect.

My mom's health failed rapidly just before Labor Day, just as we were getting back to Roanoke to spend the fall. We drove 17 hours one way four times (out and back twice) in a three week period (with Labor Day in-between) and spent those last few days talking about Heaven and her final wishes. If anything, she was a planner - right to the end! She couldn't have planned it better than having all of us kids and our spouses in her apartment to have dinner on a Sunday. She was bedridden by then, unable to know that we had all arrived. We decided to take one more hour after dinner to watch a program that we all wanted to see. Finally, while the show was just ending, Mom followed her mom and the angels to Heaven. It was unbelievable how peaceful it was for all of us to be there with each other as final arrangements were made.

My mom could drive us crazy at times, as most family will, but we loved her tremendously and will miss her forever. God works mysteriously but His plan for us during this time was apparent - a vehicle that could make the trip, a great spot to leave the RV (thanks to Chantilly Farms in Virginia for helping with all of our comings and goings) and good weather in which to drive across the midwest. After celebrating her life with family and friends at Holy Trinity Orthodox Church in Clayton, Wisconsin, she was buried in the family plot at the church. Visits may be infrequent, but she is always with me in my heart.