A Week of Reflection and Healing

This week has been a most difficult week. It began with a phone call a week ago this past Saturday from my mom. My grandmother had been taken to the hospital earlier that week and she was beginning to show signs of her body shutting down. My mother and her siblings were called in to help make life changing decisions regarding her long-term health care. My grandmother is 85 years old and has been bedridden for the past 6 years. She suffered a stroke about 5 years ago and has been on a feeding tube and such since. My grandmother also had began showing signs of Alzheimer's when I was about the age of 8. Sadly, I never really knew my grandmother like I wish I would have. Regardless, my mother's mother was suffering and I needed to be there for her. The next day (New Year's eve) Mike woke up feeling sick. We initially thought it was the pizza we had the night before. But as the week progressed, my son ended up with it (as mentioned in my other post). By this past Friday both Merci and I were sick. In the midst of all the illness, my grandmother continued to get worse. Knowing that this could likely take the turn for the worse, both of my sisters from out of state came in. Tuesday night, as soon as they got to Ohio, we all went to the hospital to see Grandma. We gathered around her bed and took our turn letting her know we were there and tell her that we loved her. When my turn came, I honestly didn't know how I would handle seeing such a frail woman lay there hanging on to life. I prayed prior to going asking God to give me His strength. I needed His peace at this time. As I stood there stroking my Grandma's hair, I told I loved her and that I was there for her. As I spoke those words to her I felt the peace of God just envelope me. I then moved aside as my sisters crowded in around her. We then gathered hands and prayed for her to be at peace. We then sang a couple of hymns which calmed her breathing. She even opened her eyes and smiled at us. At that moment I felt as though it was OK for her to go. We all have rested assured in knowing that she is a Christian and that one day we will all be reunited. We encouraged Grandma that if she wanted to go that it was OK. We promised her that the family would be taken care of. We all left there Tuesday at peace, as well as Grandma was at peace. I received the phone call this past Saturday that Grandma pasted away at 11:40 p.m. Friday night. I know that she is rejoicing in God's glory and is no longer suffering. But what has amazed me through all of this is the healing that has taken place. Through the lose of my Grandma, God has brought my mother, her sister, and her brother much closer than they ever were. And this week while my sisters were home, some much needed healing has been taking place among our relationships. God has provided above and beyond our greatest expectations in many areas. Though I thank God for this, I also thank Grandma for being the one to bring us together also. Though she will be missed, the effects of this past week may be life long. Due to the illness that has run through our family like wildfire, I am unable to attend services. Though I am disappointed at what life has handed me this week, I know that Grandma would have understood. With much love, we all have released Grandma into the arms of her Father.


Betty Rucker

Youngstown — Mrs. Betty Rucker, 85, of 2621 Windsor, died at 11:40 p.m. Friday at the St. Elizabeth Hospital Medical Center, where she had been a patient for the past several days.

Mrs. Rucker was born April 23, 1921 in East Palestine, a daughter of the late Albert and Ada Jane Johnson Aldridge, and had resided in the Youngstown area for the past 50 years, coming from East Palestine. She had been a member of the Baptist faith.

She is survived by her husband, Leslie S. Rucker, whom she married Jan 4, 1961. She also leaves two daughters, Diana Arkwright of Salem and Patricia Bair of North Lima; and a son, Edward Haus of Boardman. Other survivors include a brother, Robert Aldridge of Negley; a sister, Mrs. Elsie Mort of East Palestine, 14 grandchildren, 23 great grandchildren, and five great-great grandchildren.

Mrs. Rucker was preceded in death by four brothers, Jack, Albert, Wilbur and Donald Aldridge; and one sister, Constance Miller.

The funeral service will be at 11 a.m. Tuesday at the Oliver-Linsley Funeral Home in East Palestine. Burial will follow in Glenview Cemetery, East Palestine. Friends will be received at the funeral home from 7-8 p.m. Monday.