Feb 27: Mom and Dad Rigby arrive in Phx to spend 10 days with our family!
Feb 28: Dad Rigby beats Rick and his brother, Chris, at Golf. I don't think I've ever seen him smile for so long!
March 1: Dad Rigby stands in the circle for Jayson's blessing. Rick is able to tell his dad how much he loves him and what a great dad he is.
March 1-9th: We get to play lots of Catan, eat yummy soups, watch tons of FoxNews and sit by the pool to see the girls swim. Each day, Dad Rigby became a little weaker. But never too weak to play a game of Catan.
March 9: I get to drive Mom and Dad Rigby to the airport. Dad Rigby tells me he's had a wonderful life. He's done so many great and amazing things. Been to fabulous places. And has so many memories.
March 10: Dad Rigby sends me the sweetest email expressing his love for us and our children.
March 11-April 17: I become Dad Rigby's favorite "phone-stalker" and call to see how he's feeing. Each time, he sounds a little weaker. But he always sounds greatful. Mom Rigby, Susie, Jay, Mark and Amanda are taking great care of him.
April 19: We find out that Dad Rigby's radiation was cancelled. There was nothing more they could do. Mom Rigby comes home from the hospital after having complications from having her gall bladder removed a week ago.
April 23: Dad Rigby wakes up not being able to speak and seems confused. Mom Rigby takes him to the hospital to rule out a stroke. The cancer has spread into his brain. He sleeps peacefully. He passes away. He gets his new body. We tell our kids. Rylee is so so so sad. We are all sad, but thankful he doesn't have to suffer any longer.
April 24: Rick flys to Seattle to help mom with logistics.
April 25: Rick calls me as says, "Happy Birthday. How would you feel about driving all six kids to SLC for the funeral". Anything for Gramma Rigby.
April 26: I drive all 6 kids to SLC. Not as bad as I feard. Especially after 4 1/2 hours of sleep. Rick, Mom Rigby, Susie, Jay, James, Mark and Amanda leave Seattle at 6pm-ish - drive all night to SLC.
April 27: Rick and Co drive straight to the cemetary in SLC to pick out plots. They were able to get 2 plots just up the hill from Dad Rigby's parents. They then drive straight to Larkin Funeral Home to make decisions. The kids and I met up with them at Little America (Dad Rigby's favorite place to stay in SLC) that afternoon. Lots of games in the hotel that night...to the point of being told we were too loud. Rick has the best cousins - but we tend to get a little loud when we are together. Thank you Seamon's Family for being with us! We love our Aunt Gloria and Uncle Terry - and all the kids.
April 28: Mom Rigby wakes up in pain. Dave and Susie take her to LDS Hospital where she is admitted. The boys were to dress Dad at 3pm with a viewing from 4-6. Mom is released with strict "resting" orders - and a promise to be re-admitted following the funeral. Mom Rigby lays in bed (comforable due to the morphine) while the entire family plays games. She even got a few hands of Rook in! (My mom and dad show up in SLC to help me...I am so greatful to them!)
April 29: Viewing from 8:45-9:45. A beautiful, peaceful service. All Dad Rigby's children paid tribute. Laid to rest up on the hill. Luncheon at the Joseph Smith Memorial Building. Wonderful words from friends and family. Beautiful DVD show put together by Dave and Annie (I hope to get a copy). Mom Rigby left the luncheon and went straight to the hospital to be re-admitted. She is given IV Anti-biotics and begins to feel better. Later that night, Dave took Susie and Rylee to sneak a visit with Gramma. Gramma Rigby has to use the bathroom. Gramma Rigby: "Dave, you're in charge of making sure the IV pole doesn't get twisted. Susie, you're in charge of making sure my gown doesn't open up". Rylee: "Gramma, you're in charge of 'holding it'". They had a good laugh.
April 30: Rick and I take the three little girls to say goodbye to Gramma. While we are there, Dave calls and says Gramma is getting released and needs to be on a plane in 1 1/2 hours. The nurse removes the IVs, we find extra hospital gowns to cover Gramma (she didn't have any clothes with her), I go get the car, Rick takes the girls to get the anti-biotics at the pharmacy, the nurse brings Gramma to the car, we race to the hotel to get mom dressed, Dave-Rick-Jim FLY Mom Rigby to the airport, put her in a wheel chair, run her through security...she makes her flight. We begin our journey back to Phx (thanks again to my parents for helping us) and by the time we got to Panguitch, UT, Mom Rigby calls to say she is home safe and feels good. We get home a little before midnight.
It was chaos.
It was hard.
It was peaceful.
It was sad.
It was wonderful.
It was worth it.
We love our family.
And we will miss our Dad and Grumpa Rigby.
