Tuesday, September 14, 2010

Final Post


I have been putting this off, but I feel the time has finally arrived. This will be the final post for Blaine's Progress. I am no longer able to track that, others in another place will. I know he is doing well. I will leave this post up for 2-3 weeks for people who would like to comment to do so.

How are we? There are surely days and parts of days that are hard, and we grieve, but we are handling things. We are moving forward, not moving on. We will not move on from him, ever, but we will move forward. He is eternally part of us.

-Dani is back in school, still loves BYU, has great friends and a good apartment with good roommates who have chosen to room together, taking a basketball class with half of the BYU football team. Hmmmmm.... She has worked hard this last year, paying off a good chunk of her student loans from her earnings. She is moving forward towards her degree. She makes us proud.

-Josh is getting to know Laie, Hawaii as a new freshman at BYU-Hawaii. Today is the last day of orientation and classes start tomorrow. He has made incredible choices this past year and done everything we have asked him to do. He put the family's needs ahead of his own several times, sacrificing things he had worked hard for. He will now, we hope, gain some of those things in Hawaii. We are also very proud of Joshua.

-Alexis continues to choose well, keeping a great circle of friends as close as she can while attending early morning seminary and working in her classes. She looks forward to Basketball season, and will benefit from her now 5'10" frame. She sings in the Advanced Ladies Choir which she enjoys very much, and for whom there is a fabulous director. She finds ways of offering small acts of service that help others. She is a joy and a delight to me. I am proud of Alexis Leigh.

-Kyle has done very well also. I am very proud of the growth and development I see in him. Yesterday I looked outside and Kyle was mowing the lawn. With no prompting from anyone! (Insert angels singing.) He has gained confidence and self esteem, and is enjoying his scout troop and friends. He also looks forward to basketball. I am pleased with, and proud of Kyle.

-Marleigh is teaching music part time at Heber Valley Elementary School as well as teaching private voice, and taking a class at BYU. Yes, we are busy.

Our household make up has changed drastically. It went from six people, to five, to six again this summer, to suddenly three: Alexis, Kyle and I (and Jarah, our golden retriever). I hardly know how to cook for so few! We are learning. My children find it very weird to be part of a one parent home, but we are managing that just fine. They are helpful and kind to me, and mostly to each other. We spent the weekend together in Jackson, Togwotee and Yellowstone Wyoming, in honor of where Blaine and I spent the first part of our honeymoon. It was wonderful. We continue to find joy in each other's company, and seek it first and foremost.

I need to tell you a bit more about who my husband is, not was! He still lives, just in another sphere. He is full of faith in Christ. He was prepared to meet his God, and I am sure did so with joy, and perhaps relief to no longer have to suffer, for suffer he did. He bore cancer with such dignity. He lived his life as my husband and our children's father so very well. I cannot express my pride in him, and the joy I have to be his wife. I am so very proud to call him my husband.
He taught me to be steady in my emotions. He taught me to stand still when all around me was in turmoil. That turmoil never had to reach inside. He showed us how to bear things with dignity and grace, and not just cancer. He had the faith to be patient while things worked out, or didn't, while he stood on solid ground, even when his surroundings were not so solid. He stood still and held firm.

Hel. 5: 12 (Book of Mormon)
12 And now, my sons, remember, remember that it is upon the rock of our Redeemer, who is Christ, the Son of God, that ye must build your foundation; that when the devil shall send forth his mighty winds, yea, his shafts in the whirlwind, yea, when all his hail and his mighty storm shall beat upon you, it shall have no power over you to drag you down to the gulf of misery and endless wo, because of the rock upon which ye are built, which is a sure foundation, a foundation whereon if men build they cannot fall.

He lived this injunction. He helped me to live it better, and we pass it on to our children with the hope that they will continue to live it in the excellent manner they have chosen. Blaine built his personal house on the rock of his redeemer, Jesus Christ. The success we have had, and I feel like we have had much of it, is because of that sure foundation. We move forward, continuing to put our faith, hope and trust in our loving Heavenly Father who is the God of life. We put our selves in His loving hands, knowing that He knows how to do His work, and that He does it perfectly. In matters of life and moving beyond this life to the next one, He does not make mistakes. Though I miss Blaine terribly now, I can't wait for the day when I get to rush up to him and throw my arms around him. I look forward to that day with joy, and know that this life still holds much joy for the Blaine and Marleigh Savage family. We are grateful to have shared this part of our journey with you, and look forward to keeping in touch we hope, with so many. God Bless, and take care.



Blaine and his sister, Shauna, one of his life time best friends

Weeks before our wedding

Engagement photo


Dani's blessing day

Joshua's birthday

Alexis, just days old

Kyle at one year

The four amigos


Alexis



Alexis

NH family

Heber vacation

Portland, Maine

Boston, Mass, Freedon Trail

Maine again

Acworth winter!

Bishop Savage and his counselors, Paul Liberty and Daryl Hodgins



Tuesday, August 17, 2010

Memorial Information

John 14: 27
Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you.

I copied this scripture because it is what I have been feeling since Blaine was interred in Bicknell, Utah. I cannot describe the sense of peace and serenity I have with all that has happened in the last year and a half. Though it has been exceedingly difficult and he suffered much, he is at peace, at rest. Everything was done that could be, including vitamin and herb supplements, careful diet, and the medical community's level best efforts. Nothing was left untried. He was able to spend his last year in his Utah home which he loved, surrounded by his family, including extended family. Though the kids and I are very sad and miss him tremendously, the peace that surpasseth all understanding remains. It's quite a mix, and one I am grateful for. I think I will be closing this blog soon, but will wait for the final post until after his memorial with family in New England, the beloved Ascutney ward (which is very much family), and any others who wish to participate. Though we will not be there in person, we will have an audio feed so we can hear everything. Until then.

Marleigh

When: 6:00 PM Sunday, August 22
Where: Ascutney Chapel, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints
Who: All are welcome and appreciated
Dress: Sunday best

Directions from 91
Exit 8, towards town (right off ramp from south, left from north)
Left at light onto route 5, towards Windsor
1/4 mile on right, brick chapel set back from the road

Saturday, August 7, 2010

Directions to Funeral

Directions to Blaine's services at the LDS Chapel located on 2395 South Mill Road in Heber City, UT (1200 East Mill Road)

From Salt Lake:
I-80 East through Parley's Canyon to Park City
40 East (right exit)to Heber City (follwo signs that say Heber City)
Stay on 40 through town, through all lights (5 or 6) past hospital,
Take a left onto Center Creek Road (just after Log Works)
Chapel will be on the left, about a 1/4 of a mile

From Provo:
Take Provo Canyon (Route 89 East)
End at light in Heber City (about 1/2 hour)
Turn Right, go about 1 mile
Left onto Center Creek Road (just after Log Works)
Chapel will be on the left, about a 1/4 of a mile

Just to reiterate:
Viewings:
6-8 PM Sunday August 8,
9:30-10:30 AM Monday August 9

Funeral:
11:00 AM Monday August 9

All services will be at the Mill Road Chapel (directions above)

There will be a service also in Ascutney, Vermont. Details will be forthcoming.

Thank you again for all of your love. We are sorry we cannot respond to everyone, but please know how much your calls and messages help us even if we can't respond individually. Don't be afraid to try and reach us. If we can respond we will, if not, please know that we are aware you reached out, and that means a great deal. Thanks.

Marleigh

Thursday, August 5, 2010

Funeral

Hi everyone,

My dad's funeral is going to be on Monday, Aug. 9th, 11:00 AM at the Old Mill Ward LDS Chapel in Heber City, UT. There will be a viewing the night before on Sunday, the 8th, from 6-8 PM and another viewing monday morning from 9:30-10:30 AM at the chapel. We will be having the burial the next day, Tuesday the 10th, in Bicknell, UT. Everybody and anybody is welcome:) We would love to see you there, even if you didn't know my dad very well.

If you have any questions or need directions, please email us ( nhsavages@hotmail.com )

We love you! Thank you so, so much for all of your kind messages and phone calls. Almost everyone we've talked to has offered to help us in any way they can, and while we don't really have anything specific or tangible, your messages, prayers and phone calls really do mean the world. We're thinking of all of you, too. Thanks again. We have been blessed with the best friends and family. Your love is invaluable.

Love you, and God bless. :)

The Savages

-Here's the address for the chapel:
Map of 1200 E Center Creek Rd, Heber City, UT 84032-3676

Wednesday, August 4, 2010

Dear Family and Friends,

Tonight at 7:20 MST our dad joined our Heavenly Father, our Savior, Grandma Savage, his sister Becky, and countless others who love him and have been waiting for him to rejoin them.

When we stepped outside after he had gone, we found that there was a giant double rainbow outside. We all felt like Heavenly Father and Dad had sent it to us to let us know that they love us, and he's okay.

Love you Dad. We sure do miss you.

Love,

The Savage Family




Hey everybody, this is Dani.


Yesterday morning at about 7:00 I got a call from my mom asking me if I could go up to the Heber hospital to see her and my dad. The night before my dad had checked into the hospital, and my mom stayed with him all night. It was a hard night. That morning, my mom and dad made the decision to move my dad to our cousins the Haderlie's home to be with us for this last little bit. He doesn't have much time left, we're expecting him to pass away either tonight or tomorrow. Most likely it will be tonight. He has been in a lot of pain for a long time, and it is a blessing for him that he gets to go back home to our Heavenly Father now.

My mom says to tell you all that it's a New England blustery day, which is a tender mercy for her, especially as we have received so many phone calls from that side of the country. To our friends from both coasts and all over, thank you so much during this time, we've felt your prayers, blessings and love. Please keep praying for us. We love you so very much. Take care, and know that even if we don't answer the phone, respond to emails or other messages yet, we will and are so grateful that you've taken the time to show how much you care.

Love from all of us,

The Savage Family

Thursday, July 29, 2010

To Seattle and back....



Marleigh and I have always wanted to go to Seattle, to view the coast and maybe see a whale or two.


Well, it never really worked out with work and then moving to the East. But it's always been in the back of our minds. Maybe on our twentieth wedding anniversary -which didn't work out so well since I was on an airplane headed to Huntsman on that day.



This past week we were able to make it happen, with the help of many, many people; my cousin John and his wife Mary and their great kids, Jenn at the Huntsman clinic for making the arrangements with the Seattle Cancer Clinic, Josh Smart (Captain Josh), James and Jesse for making sure our van was road worthy, Toni at the kennel, and Sue & family, to name a few. Thanks to all those who helped, it's been a long time in the making and has created memories that will last a lifetime for me and my family.










We had a GREAT time. Captain Josh took us out to the San Juan Islands were we saw Orca (Killer Whales), fished, jelly fish, seals, eagles, and even some big horn sheep (go figure).

The kids loved going to the beach with their cousins where they caught clams, oysters, and jelly fish (the dead and non poisonous kind). They also swam and kayaked.



Again, we had a great time. I'll throw in some photo's and call it good for this blog.

Blaine