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....