Twenty Eight

Four weeks today. Still hard to believe. Still hard for everyone. Still miss her very much.



Spent some time with G-mom P this afternoon and had dinner with Dad and Rae.

Twenty Seven

Not much to talk about tonight. We had church today and we had a great crowd. Mom would have been pleased that we had 97 for bible class and 116 for worship and 95 for tonight's service. Dad went to visit his Mom today. I think they needed each other for a visit. I didn't do anything but sit in my recliner and hope that my back pain calmed down some. Too much physical work yesterday, either that or I am just out of shape! Today was beautiful and sunny. Hope it was Mom smiling down on us :).

Twenty five - Twenty six

I realized this morning that I forgot to post yesterday but there really wasn't much going on. Today on the other hand was busy at Mom and Dad's house. Today was the BIG EVENT - the largest, one day, student-run service project in the nation where students of TAMU come together to say "Thank You" to the residents of BCS. One of our friends suggested that we contact them to get help with yard work at Mom and Dad's house because it has been looking pretty rough lately. Well, this morning 5 girls and 1 boy from the Pre Med Society came out to work. I explained to them why we had requested help from their organization and told them that Mom would have been mortified to know that her yard looked so horrible. Although they were about 40 minutes late and only worked for about 2 hours, they got the front flower bed pretty much completely cleaned up and 98 percent of the thistle in the front yard taken care of. I worked on the back yard but I have a loooong way to go. I will probably be pulling thistle for the next couple of months! They found a snake (glad it wasn't me) and a baby turtle and they were pretty excited about that. The turtle not the snake. When they were done, we took some pictures. . .some of us, some with Bo (the bull), some with us and Dad on the '57. Very nice group of kids and they all left their phone numbers and said that they would come out anytime to help us finish up.
After they left, Dad and I headed out to the cemetery to do some work. We got Mom's grave cleared of the huge rocks and chunks of clay. It looks so much better. Then we worked on Raymond's grave. We had to clear some big rocks, move the pipe Mom and Dad had put in the ground where we put flowers. Then Dad hauled in some more dirt and now his grave looks much better. We will be glad when they move the huge pile of rocks away from our area so we can finish the clean up. Well, that is it for today. Missed Mom like crazy today but enjoyed spending time with Dad.

Twenty four

It is hard to believe that this journey has led to 207 blog entries. I want to thank you all for following along with us on this journey. Three weeks later I am still having a hard time wrapping my head around the fact that she is coming home. I know that y'all are probably tired of hearing me say that but that is part of how I feel. It is hard to put into words exactly how I feel and I think it is safe to say that we all feel that way. Everyone says it gets easier but I am not sure. I don't see how it can. I said the same when we lost our baby and it is still hard, especially with all of the pregnant people I see everywhere I go.

I am so ready for my words to come back so I can write better blog posts. I feel like my posts just jump around but that is how my mind is so I guess I'm not surprised.

Twenty three

I don't know why but this week has been so hard. I have had a hard time, Dad has had a hard time and I know Rae had a hard time tonight at church and I know that B had a hard time Monday (I haven't talked to her since then). I wish I could express exactly how I feel these days but I can't. There aren't any words. I am having a hard time blogging because the words just won't come. I remember when I was younger and was complaining about having to take essay tests because I was very to the point with my answers. Mom always told me to be flowery with my writing. I did finally learn how to do that my second time around in college. Thanks Mom for always encouraging me.

**If you have been trying to leave a comment, it is now fixed so you should be able to**

Twenty two

Nothing to talk about today. Had a much better day than yesterday. I love the fact that I talk to my Dad two or three times a day now. Miss talking to my Mom though. I thought of something today that I needed to ask her but I can't remember what it was. And no one else can answer the question if I could remember it.

Twenty & Twenty-one

Not too much to talk about for the last two days but they have been emotional days for me. Yesterday we had to go to Austin because D's sister is in the hospital. I think it was way too soon for me to spend any time in the hospital. I had to go sit outside in the hallway by myself for a while. Today I had to go meet some guys at my parents house so they could fix the drain in the bathtub. It was just overwhelming sitting at the house with Mom and Dad's stuff sitting around me and thinking about how much she would have enjoyed getting to decorate the remodeled house. And lastly, today is the year anniversary of the loss of our 3rd pregnancy. So, needless to say today was pretty much a crying day. I hope tomorrow is better. Atleast the weather was beautiful today!

Nineteen

Today we made a quick trip to San Antonio to attend the funeral of our rent-a-brother's dad. Mr. S had been diagnosed with lung cancer but lost his fight with the disease on Wednesday. Some day when I have a little time I will explain the rent-a-son/brother thing. Rent-a-brother has had a very difficult month with the loss of his step grandmother and then his father. Today was not easy being so close to Mom's funeral. Sometimes life is just so hard that you wish you could run to your mom, put your head in her lap and let her chase away the bad. Wouldn't it be nice to be able to do that?

Eighteen

Day two of birthday celebrations for the munchkins. We went to Mr. Gattis for pizza and games. Everyone seemed to have a good time but once again there was a big hole. Tomorrow the munchkins will head home and we aren't sure when we will get to see them again because they will be busy with spring sports. Dad and Uncle Rich worked on the house some more today. So glad that my uncle got to come down and spend some time with my Dad. Thanks Uncle Rich.

Until tomorrow.

Seventeen

The weather today was beautiful but a little chilly. We went to my sister's in-laws farm to celebrate the munchkins birthdays. One was last week and one is next week. We fished, ate great food, watched the kids open presents and just enjoyed being together. Missed Mom like crazy because she was always buzzing around when we were all together whether is was fixing food or playing with the grandkids. D and I rode out with Dad and it is strange being the only person sitting in the backseat. We did have a good day, well as good as possible anyway.

Sixteen

Not much to write about today. It was an ok day. I did think once today that I needed to call my Mom to ask her a question and then realized that I couldn't. That hurts. Dad and my Uncle worked some on the house today. I can't wait until we get it all put back together but it is going to be very hard on all of us when it is done and the heart of the house isn't there. Especially for Dad.


My mom is a neverending song in my heart of comfort, happiness, and being. I may sometimes forget the words but I always remember the tune. ~Graycie Harmon

Fifteen

Two weeks and one day. . . .it still feels like a nightmare. I know I have said this several times and will probably say it many more times but it does. Since she was gone for four months, it still seems like she is at the hospital just waiting for me to come spend my week with her. Dad would have been with her this week since he is off for Spring Break. I would be with her next week.
Isn't it interesting what things you see or hear or read or smell that make you think of someone? Yesterday while shopping in Kemah I was looking at some books and saw one that I had thought about getting Mom a thousand times and never did. I had planned on giving her one when D and I finally got pregnant for her to fill out. It is the book that Grandparents write their memories in to share with their grandkids. It took my breath away because my children will never get to know their grandmother and what a special person she was. They will never get to play ball with her, spend the night with her, get wonderful hugs and kisses from her, eat her yummy brownies. That shatters my already broken heart into a million more pieces.

Fourteen

Today Dad, Rae, D and I spent the day at Kemah on the boardwalk. We had a nice day. While riding the train through the park, a monarch butterfly flew between Rae and I a couple of times and then by the train for a little bit. It made me think of Mom and something that my Grandmother's cousin said to me in an e-mail the day of Mom's funeral. She wrote: As I have read your blog I have come to realize just how special each of you were to each other and Tammy that is something money does not buy, Love is the cornerstone of all families and family is a building stronger that stone, brick, or any other material, family is forever and even though Barbara left this earthly life she is still with each of you in spirit, that beautiful butterfly landing on you while in the garden will be her letting you know she is there with you, that twinkling star in the night sky will be her winking at ya, that ripple in the lake or pond on a still day will be her letting you know she is still right there looking over each of you. I felt that the butterfly was Mom letting us know that she was with us and was enjoying the day and was glad that we were enjoying being together. We did have a good day, just wished that B and her family could have been with us. And Mom of course.

Thirteen

The weather the last couple of days has been so beautiful. I really wish that Mom were here to see everything getting ready to bloom. Spring reminds me of her. She loved to work out in her yard and you could tell. It was always beautiful Right now it looks like no one cares. Hopefully I will be able to get some work done to it in the next couple of weeks.
We spent the day with Dad and Rae. It seems so odd just being the four of us instead of five. all in all it was a pretty good day. Church is still hard because I catch myself wondering when Mom will be back in her place in the chair in front of me. I miss her singing and the sweetness she always showed to our church family. Ha, who am I kidding? I just miss her so much I can hardly stand it. Will we ever get used to our new "normal"? Will it ever get easier? Will the huge, gaping hole in our hearts ever heal even just a little?
Enjoy the beautiful weather and tell your family you love them.

Twelve

Not much to say tonight. Today was beautiful so I hope that it was Mom smiling down on us and that we are doing her proud.

Eleven

This time last week, we were wrapping up a horribly long day after having had said goodbye to our Mom. The days are not any easier. It is interesting to me the different things I see that catches me off guard and makes me cry. This morning I was watching a commercial about HP printers and it made me think about the Valentine's Day card Mom made for Dad. He had talked about making a copy of it and putting it in a picture frame because it is the last thing Mom ever wrote. It was actually one of the few things she had written since July. The stupid commercial made me cry. I haven't ventured out much this week because there are too many things that remind me of Mom. When I wasn't working, we used to go eat lunch with Dad and then head to Wal-Mart, Target, Walgreens, Hobby Lobby, Michael's, Kohls, the mall and several other places. I just wasn't ready to go to those places. I know that I have to start going out and doing things but this week just wasn't the time.
Have a good weekend.

Ten

Not much to talk about today. Dad and I went by the funeral home this afternoon to pick up some things we had taken up there and to pick up the death certificate. Even with the "proof" in hand it still seems like an awful dream that we will one day wake up from.

Nine

Today was tough. I didn't feel good at all and just wanted to sit in my chair. Had to get up and do a few things. Got some breakfast and went to the cemetery and ate breakfast with Mom and our baby. I talked to Mom some and cried a lot. I really hate our new life. Well, not all of it because I get to spend time with my Dad that I never did before but for the most part, I hate it. I get sad when I go to Mom and Dad's house because the yard looks abandoned. Mom always had it looking so good and she would have already started on it. I miss her beautiful flowers. . . .and I really miss her. How are broken hearts mended? Do they ever truly stop hurting? My heart was still hurting from losing our baby so now I have hurt on top of hurt.

Eight

Today I called Mom's cell phone twice and the house once just to hear her voice. I can't hear it in my head and I haven't been able to since last Monday. I miss her so much. I am. . . .well, I don't know what I am, just not happy. It hurts me so to see my Dad hurting so. Still don't understand why. . . .she still had so much to give and so much to teach me.

One thing that I keep forgetting to mention is something that the guy who was coaching Rae's team while she was gone. He told the girls that they had witnessed something special as they left the viewing with all the people that had been there.

One Week

How can seven days have already passed since Mom left us? It is still hard for me to grasp the fact that my Mom is truly gone. One minute I am wondering what she is doing and the next I am thinking about all the things we will never do again. I was supposed to spend my anniversary (today) with Mom. We probably would have reminisced about the fun we had getting the church decorated and how beautiful everything was and how happy my parents were for me. Instead I took my Dad lunch, ran some errands for him, took some flowers down to his house, picked up the fresh cut flowers, picked up food at Grandmoms and then came home. Not bad but not what I wanted.
Tonight was nice though, Dad took Darrell, Rae, Lou Ellen and I out to dinner for our anniversary. We had good food and enjoyed being together. There was a hole, a missing person, someone we all miss terribly.
The weather today didn't help either. It was dreary and gross and B said it was the same in FW. I need sunshine. . . . .beautiful weather, beautiful day.

Sunday Surprise

Everyone has gone home now so it is just Dad, Grandmom, me, D and Rae.

This evening before church I headed over to the cemetery to take pictures of the standing sprays so we could match them with the cards. While there I noticed a softball sitting on Mom's grave. I picked it up to read what someone had written on it and saw that it was from a childhood friend (she and I played many, many softball games together). On it she talked about how Mom and the three of us made her a better person. Made me cry.

That's all.

Goodnight.

Beautiful

I had intended to post last night but I was too tired. If you would like to read about the funeral, you can go here. It was a beautiful service and Mom would have loved the congregational singing.
I can not adequately express to you the kind of woman my Mom was. She was beautiful in heart and spirit, kind and loving, patient and nurturing, put her family first, and so many other things. It was apparent how she touched other's lives by the number of people who attended her viewing and funeral. Even the funeral home people commented on how they hadn't seen that many people at both gatherings in a long time. I hope that as the days and weeks go on, I will be able to share with you what a Christian woman my Mom was. I hope that I can honor her with the way that I live my live. I have always wanted to make my parents proud and I hope that I can continue to.

Beautiful Day

Today was a beautiful day and to me, it was Mom smiling down on us. We spent more time with family. . . . . . .eating of course! We divided up the pot plants that we received (there were so many). Dad and Rae took care of some things in town along with my Uncle Rich and my other grandmother spent the day with us. Everyone is starting to go home and the real loneliness and reality of the whole situations is going to hit hard on Monday. Well, that is about all for today. I miss my Mom and wish I could hear her voice and see her beautiful smile and sparkly blue eyes.

Five

This may be short but I wanted to hit the highlights of today before I fall asleep in my chair and drop my computer.

D and I got to the funeral home later than we wanted too because he had problems with the powerpoint and then we got caught in traffic so we got there 30 minutes before the funeral was to start. At 30 minutes before the starting time, the church was already filled to capacity with people sitting in the classrooms and standing where they could find a place. Once again we were able to see the impact of how Mom lived her life on the people who came to pay their respect. The service was wonderful and honored a woman who lived a Christian life every day of her life. The congregational singing was beautiful and I can't wait to hear it again (we taped the service). For those of you who don't know my Mom, she had a beautiful voice and loved to sing. We sang as a family as much as possible. The weather was beautiful with a cool brisk wind blowing. Many people went to the cemetery with the family where we sang some more and then enjoyed some time visiting with those who were there. A meal was prepared and almost 100 people were there to eat. The meal was incredible and no one went home hungry. After the meal, we went to my Grandmother's house and visited with family some more and now we are home. I am going to close now. I am really very tired but I wanted to talk a little about today.
One thing I forgot about last night was something that shows what kind of teacher and coach my little sister is. Her softball team (who had played in a tournament that day) decided that they were going to give up their dinner so that they could get back into town early enough to go to the viewing. It was an experience to see all those girls lined up in their uniforms and knowing that it was because of my sister and the job she does with her students. Oh and another thing, my other sister had friends that made the 3+ hour trip to be there last night and then drive back home. Incredible right?
Several people have ask me if I am going to keep up the blog. For right now I am.

Some of you have ask if I would put the address on here for sending memorials.
Brazos Valley church of Christ
P.O. Box 12288
CS, TX 77842-12288

Day 4 - Thursday

WOW! There are no words to describe the feelings we all shared last night as over three hundred people waited in line (most for over an hour) to offer condolences, love and support to my family last night. The viewing was to be from 6 - 8, D and I got there at 5:00 and people started coming before 6:00. We finally walked out of the building and got in our car at 9:45. For most of the night, the line was out the door. We knew that there would be a lot of people but the actual number was totally amazing. To know that "OUR MOM" had touched so many lives whether it was on her own, through my Dad or through us. I know that my grandmother has to be proud of what a wonderful person her daughter was and I can only imagine how proud her dad is.

Well, that is all for now on the viewing. I have had a case of writers block this week and I see that it is still here. But, I wanted to share some things about my parents love for one another. Just things that I think are special.

Mom & Dad
* Dad always opened the car door for my Mom (he does for us too)
* Mom always took lunch to Dad at school
* Dad told us that he fell in love with Mom the first time he ever saw her
* Mom would do anything to take care of my dad
* They learned to enjoy each others hobbies
* They never argued - the made the decision not to at the beginning of their marriage
* Many people love my parents and have been helped by them in some way or another
* They both love us very much and always let us know that
* They worked well together, they were each others right hand man

Well, that is all I can remember right now. But one more thing, something that we "realized" this week as we decided where to have the viewing and funeral. It is not our current church but it is where my Mom went to church the age of 7 until the age of 48, my grandparents were some of the founding members, my granddad drew up the plans for the building, she was baptized there, my dad was baptized there, we three girls were baptized there, B met her husband there, I met my husband there, B was the last person to get married there before the big remodel and I was the first to get married there after the big remodel. My granddad's funeral was there in 94 and we recorded all the music for the service. Mom's funeral will be there and we will be using the music we recorded for part of her service.

Just thought all that was interesting. Sorry for the all over the place of this post but like I said, I have writers block this week. To find out a little more, go here.

Three

Barbara Ellen (Parsons) Watson
April 27, 1951 - March 1, 2010 Our dear wife and mother, Barbara Ellen Parsons Watson, passed peacefully from her earthly life on Monday, March 1, with her family by her side. The viewing to honor her life will be Thursday, March 4, from 6:00-8:00pm at Cavitt Church of Christ. The funeral service will be Friday, March 5, at 2:00pm at Cavitt Church of Christ, with interment following at Wellborn Cemetery. Barbara was born at the Bryan Hospital on April 27, 1951, to Raymond and Virginia Parsons. She attended public schools in College Station and graduated from A&M Consolidated High School in 1969 where she was active in the marching band and choir. Two weeks after her high school graduation on Friday, June 13, 1969, she married Raymond Allen Watson at All Faiths Chapel on the campus of Texas A&M University, foregoing a vocal scholarship to Sam Houston State University. Ray and Barbara moved to Cypress, Texas, where Ray taught in the Cy-Fair School District. Not long afterwards on October 9, 1970, Tammy Lynne Watson was born, followed by the birth of Rebecca Diane Watson on May 5, 1973. The family of four moved back to College Station where Ray worked in construction. The Watson family was completed on August 27, 1975, with the birth of Rae Anne Watson. Ray returned to teaching in 1979 at A&M Consolidated High School. Barbara and Ray celebrated their 40th wedding anniversary on June 13, 2009, with a surprise celebration at Barbara's childhood home hosted by their daughters. Friends and relatives enjoyed this special occasion with the family. A few short weeks later she was diagnosed with ALL – acute lymphoblastic leukemia – and began treatments at MD Anderson. She received a stem cell transplant on October 14. Barbara spent the last 4½ months in MD Anderson until returning to Bryan on Thursday, February 25. Barbara was a sweet, loving, kind and generous woman who enjoyed taking care of the cattle, working with flowers, singing, and taking care of her family. She was content anywhere doing anything as long as her soul mate Ray was by her side. She will be terribly missed by her husband, daughters, and grandchildren. Barbara was preceded in death by her grandmother, Vera Mae "Granny" Parsons, her father Raymond Leroy Parsons, a sister-in-law Kay Parsons, and grandson Raymond Dean St. Clair. Survivors include her husband Raymond Watson of College Station; daughter and son-in-law Tammy and Darrell St. Clair of College Station; daughter and son-in-law Rebecca and Steven Johnson of Fort Worth; daughter Rae Anne Watson of College Station; grandchildren Taylor Johnson and Madison Johnson of Fort Worth; mother Virginia Parsons of College Station; sister and brother-in-law Diane and Terry Peavy of Brady; brother and sister-in-law David and Tommy Parsons of Lubbock; mother-in-law Gladys Watson of Hill Top Lakes; numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. Barbara loved flowers and was an especially talented floral designer. Memorials may be made to the Brazos Valley Church of Christ Building Fund. The family appreciates the love and support of all of the friends in the community, as well as the tenderness, gentleness, and care of the doctors and nurses at MD Anderson and Christus Dubuis.

Two

Today was busy. We all ran around trying to get things taken care of. Thank goodness there are more than one of us because we can't seem to get our acts together and remember what we were supposed to have in town.

Our New Phantom Canyon

Well, our journey did not end as we had hoped it would and today we started a new journey, going from a family of five to a family of four (original numbers of course). This morning we went and made funeral arrangements, then on to lunch, picked out flowers (this was hard because Mom always did such beautiful work), out to the house to pick out clothes, preachers home to talk about service and then on to Grandmom's house. We have just gotten home and we are very tired. I will put funeral information on here before I close. Once again I cannot adequately express what your support has meant to our family. We are lucky to have such wonderful family and friends.

Funeral Info:
Viewing - Thursday 6 pm - 8 pm
Funeral - Friday 2 pm
Both will be at Cavitt Church of Christ 3200 Cavitt Ave in Bryan.
Callaway Jones funeral home is the funeral home we are using.

Please let me know if there is anything else you need.
You can always e-mail me at tls_giggles@yahoo.com

Day 139

It is with a heavy heart that I am writing this. Mom's fight has ended and she has gone to be with her Savior. There will be no more tears or pain for her. She gets to see her loved ones and will get to play with my babies. We appreciate more than you will ever know the prayers that you have prayed for our family. We love you all. I will continue to update the blog as we complete our part of this journey.

All our love,
Our family

Day 138 & 139

Well friends, things are not looking good for Mom. The doctor told Dad that unless there is a big change in the next day or so, we may have a week with her. Please pray for us. We are scared and all other things that you can imagine. I am at a loss for words right now so this will be a short post. We love you all and really appreciate everything that y'all have done.


PS: If you want to leave a comment, click on the comment button and type in your message, then choose anonymous. Made sure to put your name in the comment so we know who it was.