WWMD?

A friend of mine had a post on his blog about WWJD etc. and I thought to myself, What Would Mimi Do? Many days in my life since January 3, 2010, I ask myself that question. When I go to make a decision I ask that question. When I am faced with a tough choice I ask myself that question. When I see wrongs that could be made right; perhaps by something I chose to do I again ask myself that same question. Not that I put Mimi on a pedestal, but she had a way of following what was in her heart which was what her faith had guided her to do. All throughout her life I believe she had a strong faith that led her in the directions she went. She didn't seem to have selfish motives to what she did whether it was for a friend, for family or even for those she didn't know.

May each day I face like Mimi did knowing that what I do could change the course of history; well at least for this small part of our world. Thank you Mimi for always following your heart and for sharing your faith throughout your life and even now. You will always live in my heart and may I always do what is right and what my faith guides me to do. I love and miss you dearly. Love, Tina

Fall begins

As fall begins, I am reminded of times when Mimi would be preparing her flowerbeds for winter. I know she is proud of how nice the flower garden Carissa and I put in looked this year. It is so full and of course full of FROGs and gnomes (thanks to Danielle).

It's been a long year and a half since Mimi went to her heavenly home. Sure do miss her. Mimi, we love you!

Talk with you soon! Tell Linda we said hello and I have her giant toad in my flower garden. Every time I walk by it, I say 'hello Linda'!

Love,
Tina

As time goes on...

Carissa asked me yesterday if anyone had been writing anything on Mimi's blog. I had to say that no we hadn't since January 11, 2010.

Well, I decided to write now and say that although it seems like yesterday, I so miss Mimi.

She would be proud of her family and I pray that all she instilled in us continues for our lifetime. Meaning, everything good and strong she taught us, may we carry that on throughout our lives. Let us never forget her kind words and strong values as they have been a prudent part of our growing up and learning. She worked so hard to teach JJ about life and to be strong even when it doesn't seem like you can. She taught me that for sure. She would be proud of Carissa and her graduating with honors. She would be proud to see how we have worked together to get the basement cleaned up after the flood. We laugh and tease that it was her way of saying 'time to get this placed organized...' I don't think she wanted the water damage but she wanted us to get working on it.

A day does not go by that I don't think of her in some way. When I get up in the morning, I see her smiling face on a picture on the nightstand next to 'her and papa's bed' (Dan and I are temporarily housed in their room) and I look in the mirror and I see her there too because I am looking more like her every day. I am proud of that. I certainly hope that I can become the woman she was but it will take a lifetime to do so. She was an unforgetable, irreplaceable, wonderful woman. God definately broke the mold when He created her.

Well, enough for now but I think I will occasionally write something here to help me with my healing. I need this. I need to talk about her and how much she means to me.

Prayers and blessings to all of her family and friends out there doing everything they can to raise their children, work to keep food on the table and to rear their young ones to do what is right. Remember...don't ever give up. Mimi didn't. She fought to the very end and she is now watching over us all at Heaven's gates (pruning the flowers, no doubt!)

Love you Mimi!
Love,
Tina

p.s. I finished the work on the Memorial Book today as part of my therapy.

Tribute to Mimi

Mimi forever stitched herself into all of our hearts, and just like a quilt, stitched all of us into her heart. But to her, we were not just a piece of fabric, we were part of her family, and she loved us unconditionally. Everyone she met was a piece of that quilt, and she never stopped sewing and making it bigger, making sure all of the pieces fit together perfectly. On Sunday (1-3-2010), when Mimi met Jesus, her quilt was finally finished. And it was big, because she loved so many people. Now that she is in Heaven, and we don't have anymore worries, we can celebrate the wonderful life she lived. We can all take a deep breath and know she's home and watching over all of us. She was a wonderful grandma, mother, wife, aunt, sister and friend. Thank you to those who attended the memorial celebration of her life. You were all a part of Mimi's quilt and she'll stay sewn in your heart forever.

Written with love, Carissa Ronders

Celebrating the life of Ruthann "Mimi" Tilden

Sunday, January 3, 2010 Ruthann Tilden went to be with her Lord in Heaven. Although it was a cold day, the sun was shining. Mimi loved the sunshine.

On Saturday, January 9, 2010, there will be a Memorial Service held at the Brooklyn Presbyterian Church, 160 N. Main Street, Brooklyn, MI 49230 (517) 592-2801 with visitation at 1pm and Service beginning at 2pm.

Memorials can be given to the Children's Fund in Ruthann's memory to the Brooklyn Presbyterian Church.

Many thanks to those who have been praying and otherwise showing their support to our family. God bless you all.

Heaven bound

Mimi passed away this morning at 5am. Papa and I came up last night to see her and she looked very peaceful and comfortable.

The nurses and nurse assistants have been absolutely wonderful here at the Allegiance Hospice Home. Very compassionate, caring, understanding; making sure not only that Mimi was comfortable but that we too were taken care of.

God bless each of you who have been praying for Mimi. She is now in God's hands and walking with her family and friends in Heaven.

Love you all.....

Another year gone by...

I can hardly believe it is New Year's Eve 2009. Where has time gone? This has been a long and somewhat difficult year for Mimi. Last January, she had open heart surgery because of two valves; one needing repair and one needing replacement. She healed well from that and was able to get back into her normal routine of helping others and scrapbooking and quilting and, well being busy.

As we got busy getting ready for two of her grandchildren's open houses and graduation, she started having symptoms that once prodded by Angie (my youngest stepsister), she finally agreed to see a doctor. June 7, 2009 was a day we won't forget. The neurosurgeon explained that she had a brain tumor; a gleoblastoma multiforme. The worst of all brain tumors. She wayed her options after talking with family and decided to have surgery to remove what they could. After surgery and a long recovery, she started radiation and chemotherapy medications. She had a bout of Stevens-Johnsons Syndrome which is a skin reaction to the Dilantin she was on along with the radiation she was receiving. That took quite a while to heal and was very painful and very uncomfortable for her.

Mimi just kept going; she kept trying each day to get up and around and do what she could for herself. She did quite well and even got so she could get herself showered without any help.

As you may know, Thanksgiving she and papa and JJ came to our house for dinner. She had done fine and went home and that is when things came to a head. She had a seizure that night and several more in the ambulance. Up until this point she had not had any seizures.

This cancer is awful; well any cancer is but this one just takes over so quickly and steals ones' physical life. But I must say that Mimi's spirit is strong and deep down I know she has not given up on life. She knows she has a future in God's kingdom and I am grateful she has a strong faith.

Thank you to everyone who has prayed for her healing. That is what we all want for her, however, God must have other plans for her.

She is still with us and I know that everything is in God's timing so I patiently wait for Him to call her home.

Papa has been by her side almost 24 hours a day since Sunday when JJ went to Florida. He is going to need your prayers of healing and comfort now more than ever. I know that they are good for one another and they will get each other through with God's help and our prayers.

Blessings to all and I am believing that 2010 will be a good year.

Papa by her side

The last two nights papa has stayed with mimi. He slept well, as well as he could, and she did too. It's good for him to be here because with JJ in Florida, the house is pretty quiet and no doubt lonely.

I know this is hard on each of us in a different way; it's likely the hardest on him since they have been together since 1977 (I believe) when they first met and dated. Papa has been such an inspiration to me all throughout my life and I am grateful that God allowed he and his girls into our lives.

Mom is resting quietly again today and doesn't seem in pain. That is good and she needs the rest. It also helps us to deal with our loss knowing she is not in pain and resting peacefully.

Thank you for your prayers and support. God bless each of you.

Sunday morning

Mimi is still sleeping after finally settling down early this morning. Angie and I spent the night and slept in the recliner chairs next to Mimi's bed, one on each side. We took turns looking and listening to mom and resting in between.

The blessing this has created is getting closer with my sister Angie. She and I are closer in age than the others and so we have a bond. Besides the fact that we shared a room growing up at our parents house, we have always gotten along.

Ours is a unique family in that two families united, even in the midst of teenage years, and created a beautiful couple with 5 children. Both our parents have been through some tough times and their meeting was a God-send.

Blessings to all and enjoy your family today and always....

Peaceful

Mimi was able to calm down and started resting around 1am. She is still sleeping peacefully now and that is good. She is at peace with herself and she knows what lies ahead. She is not afraid to face death. A few months ago she told me she wanted me to read this book called '90 minutes in Heaven' by Don Piper. She told me she felt like she could have written this book because what the author told about his vision of heaven is exactly what she had imagined it would be.

I do not want to lose her but I know that she will be in a beautiful and peaceful place; no worries, no stress, no tears and no pain-physical or emotional. That sounds wonderful to me.

I pray that when my time comes I can be as at peace as Mimi is. God bless her and take care of her because she is awesome. I hope he realizes that when she arrives, if any organization needs done, she will take over! She will make sure all the children are taken care of and all the Sunday School classrooms are organized and supplied.

Christmas Day was December 25th and now we await Epiphany when the Wise men arrived to see the Christchild in Bethlehem.

Peace be with each of us this holiday season....

Love one another

As I lay with mom tonight in her bed at the Hospice Home, I remember many nights her lying with me. It could have been when I was sick or had a bad dream so staying with her now seems minimal compared to all the times she took care of me. How could I ever deny that even though I have to say it is very difficult to see her confused or crying. Her emotions are jumbled because of the medications and the tumor. This kind of cancer effects so many parts of the body; from emotional to sharing a thought to short-term memory. One blessing I have found is that she shares many long ago memories such as her childhood or ours. Another blessing is that I believe this turmoil has made our family ties stronger; realizing that life is so short, we must lean on one another and not be afraid to ask for help.

I've said this before but I could not ask for a better mother. She has been there for me and my family through thick and thin, good and bad, happy and sad.

Thank you all for your thoughts and prayers. I cannot tell you enough how much your support means. I do not know what people who do not have their faith and their family to give them strength do. I guess they do without and that is sad.

God bless and Merry CHRISTmas to all, and may you sleep well tonight.....

Merry CHRISTmas to all...

Merry CHRISTmas to all our family and friends!

Today when Papa and I arrived, Mimi was sleeping quietly. She had kind of a rough night in that she wanted to get herself out to bed. She keeps telling us she needs to 'get to Kohl's' and tries to put her legs out of the bed to get up. She was probably thinking she needed to get her shopping done like she always had in the past along with wrapping until midnight. Either way, Papa made sure JJ had a nice Christmas.

Continued prayers are appreciated as we continue this journey we are all on. Thank you all for your support, love and generosity. We do notice even the little things.

Thank you to all who have visited Mimi. Blessings to all.

Christmas Eve

It's Christmas Eve and Mimi is resting quietly. She had a few visitors today. Papa as usual and I came here after work and a little shopping. Tami, Debi and Staci came today (brother Bill's girls). It means a lot to have so many visitors stopping in especially this busy holiday season. Jim and Nancy came by this afternoon too. Funny thing is, Mom said that Jim looked like a preacher today "with all that white hair".

I believe in my heart that mom knows everyone and that is a blessing especially since it's hard to see her not able to do for herself like she used to.

God bless each of you and your families. As you celebrate this wonderful Christmas season, hug your family and keep each of them close. We never know when our lives will suddenly change and not have them as near as we would like.

Blessings and prayer does work!

Restful night...

Barb Moore, mom's childhood friend, came to stay with her last night and I just got a call from her. Mom rested quite a lot and peacefully according to Barb. Thank you Barb for taking care of mom and for being such an awesome friend. Barb lives in Florida and is here in Michigan visiting her children and grandchildren and took time out of her schedule to come see and stay with mom.

We never know when we will need true friends like that so I say to myself, treat others as you yourself would want to be treated. I believe there is a bible quote that says "Love thy neighbor as thyself".

Thank you to everyone for their support and love....we sure to appreciate it. Merry CHRISTmas to all!

Visitors.....

This past weekend Mimi had several friends and family visit. I know how hard it is for people to see someone you love not presenting themselves as they normally would. When someone who always was willing to share a cup of coffee or go to lunch, now mixes their words up....it hurts. Please remember how much mom has been a wonderful part of your lives. How many times you saw her helping out at church or in the grocery store always willing to stop and chat with a smile. She is still the same person spiritually and emotionally; her flesh has been changed. God knows her heart as He knows each of our hearts. If you feel you need to see her, that is okay. If you have difficulty and find it too hard to visit, that is okay too.

Thank you to everyone for prayers and cards....we appreciate all that has been done for our family in support. God be with each of you this holiday season.

Keep your focus on time you can spend with loved ones; the time goes way too fast.

School friends from long ago....

Mom's friend Barb Moore is here from Florida and came by to see her tonight! What a wonderful surprise for mom as she and Barb have known each other what seems forever! Mom use to babysit for Barb's daughter Patty and absolutely loved her! She even told me she would cry when Barb would come get her because she wanted to keep her!

It is always good to have friends from our childhood that we keep in touch with. I believe mom would say to stay in touch with those friends and someday when you least expect it you may need their support or just a hand to hold. Thanks Barb!

Darlene Hammond, another of mom's childhood buddies, is coming to stay with her tonight. I know that mom will appreciate her coming and staying with her. For safety reasons, we are having someone stay with her each evening and throughout the night.

Thank you to everyone; family and friends, who have provided the wonderful support for our family to work through this life event....although I realize it has been a challenge, I know it will make us stronger. God bless everyone!

CHRISTmas week...

Well when I arrived today, Mimi is up with Papa reading over her CHRISTmas cards. She just finished her lunch (ate about 1/3) and is going to be getting cleaned up soon. Papa told them that would be good since she will likely have lots of company today. (Today is the Dilworth CHRISTmas and plans are, I believe, to come over in shifts to visit her).

Mimi looks rested today. I spoke with the nurse early this morning and she said that she did better last night as far as resting and comfort is concerned. Prayers for comfort are most appreciated at this time.

As we approach CHRISTmas day, I know Mimi would want you all to enjoy your families, treasure the noise and the messes made, eat those treats and feel blessed that you have one another.

Blessings to all of you and updates will be made as much as possible....thanks to everyone for your support and love!

Resting still...

I came to visit Mimi and decided I was going to stay the night. Mimi was a little aggitated throughout the evening but finally about 1:30am, she fell asleep and is still sleeping! Wow! So glad she is finally resting peacefully......thank you God for that.

Thank you all for your thoughts and prayers for Mimi.

Resting and watching turkeys...

Mimi had a few visitors before I arrived today. Diane Brown had been here and of course Chuck. Aunt Gloria and Uncle Steve are here from Arizona and they were visiting with Mimi when some turkeys came out....of course they had to take some pictures so they could send to their daughter Stephanie in Arizona. Mom seems pretty good; a little tired.

We appreciate your continued thoughts and prayers. Mom needs prayers for rest and comfort. It is also hard to see her so confused although we are so very grateful she recognizes each of us. That is truly a blessing!

Take care and will update you again tomorrow.

Weekend activities

Yesterday we held our annual Tilden cookie decorating....Mimi always had lots of frosting, candies and different cookie shapes to decorate growing up and even in our later years (like last year!) It was quite an event! Jeff, Angie, JJ, Carissa, Danny, Danielle, John (Danielle's friend), Papa and myself were here for the event. We brought all the fixings and the cookies to decorate. We even had some crackers and cheese to munch on while we celebrated.

Mom has had lots of visitors and it seems to do her some good. If you would like to visit, please feel free. She looks good and is well taken care of here at the Hospice Home. The home is located on Kingsbrooke Drive which is just across from Vista Grande Villa off Springport Road near airport Meijer/down the road from Baker College in Jackson.

Lots of friends and family have come by and made Christmas cards, helped decorate her tree and visit with her. Thank you all for your support, love, thoughts and prayers. We do appreciate the love you show us through caring about Mimi.

Hoping you are all understanding the true meaning of Christmas; not just about gifts or cards but of giving of yourself to those who need it most. And most of all, sharing with your family the love of the Christ child whose birth is soon upon us.

Prayers and blessings to all!