'the road not taken'

we received a phone call this morning that no one ever wants to get.... a dear friend/lady/adopted grandmother to our family who we call Mrs. Donley (who the boys and i also call our 'adopted grandmother') died last night in her sleep. the boys made her pictures at least once a month. they would be SO excited to lick the envelopes and put them into the mailbox every time we made a new craft or took a new picture for her. we always tried to make them very 'glittery' and 'stickery' for her so she could see them. Peyton was very good about writing out her name (MRSDONLEY). and on the last few letters he wrote he even asked me how to write 'i love you'. Jayden of course would scribble and stack stickers on top of each other on his cards, but whatever they did, or whatever the pictures looked like we always sent them to her. it broke my heart to get the phone call, and even though we knew the day was coming, it still made us sad. i explained it to Peyton....

Me: 'Peyton you know the lady Mrs. Donley who we make pictures and crafts for all the time?'
Peyton: 'yes the lady we send letters to in the mailbox!'
Me: 'well, she died last night while she was sleeping'.
Peyton: 'so Mrs. Donley is in Heaven now?'
Me: 'yes Peyton, she's in Heaven and she doesn't hurt anymore.'
Peyton: 'why did she die?'
Me: 'well, because she was old and sometimes when you get old, you die and go to Heaven and you get to be with people you love again.... like now Mrs. Donley is with her mom and dad. she is very happy there and she isn't sick anymore.'
Peyton: 'Mommy are we going to Heaven soon?'
Me: 'No Peyton, I hope not, I hope we are all here to enjoy each other for a long, long, time.'
Peyton: 'Until we get old?'
Me: 'Yes Peyton, until we get old.'

Peyton just looked at me for a few seconds then started to cry. i have no idea what he was thinking, i didn't ask. i just know he cares for Mrs. Donley a lot and i am sure he will ask about her more over the next few months.

Mrs. Donley you were a classy lady, and I cant imagine what it was like for you at the end. To depend on people to do everything for you, when you were so used to doing everything yourself. you will be missed by so many people.... more than you realize. my Mom loves you like her own Mother. she did everything she could to make you comfortable. she worried about you and prayed for you probably more than anyone. I know God has welcomed you into Heaven with open arms.... and Mr. Donely too. i can see him now standing at the golden gates waiting for you with open arms. we love both of you so much. God Bless!
The Mesters.


June Donley, 89, passed on peacefully Sunday, May 2, 2010, while sleeping at her home.
Funeral: To be scheduled at a later date.Memorials: In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory may be made to Christ Episcopal Church, 202 W. Westover St., East Tawas, Mich. 48730, 989-362-3531.June was born on May 27, 1920, in Detroit, Mich., to George and Mabel Hagerman Lathrop. She married Charles Robert Donley and raised two children in the Bay City, Mount Clemens and Tawas, Mich., areas where they were highly active volunteering in their church, school and local communities building wonderful memories and many long-lasting friendships. June and Charles moved to Arlington, where she continued to establish her career as an interior designer with Sanger Harris and other agencies. Her favorite pastimes included reading, gardening, bird watching, fishing, sewing, traveling and baking. Much like her favorite poem, "The Road Not Taken" by Robert Frost, she took the road less chosen and it was the difference. The family wishes to extend special appreciation and gratitude to her friends, especially Barbara and Jim Fisher and their family; her BrightStar caregivers, especially Corine, Maria and Kathy; and Joe with IntegraCare Hospice.June was preceded in death by her husband, Charles. Survivors: Son, Robert Donley and wife, Karen; daughter, Charla Allen; grandchildren, Christina and Tim Fisher, Kimberly and Nicholas Garner, Alison Beruta; and great-granddaughter, Bailey.