When the Music's Over...

Today, after 59 years of love and laughter Marcus passed away at home, surrounded by the most amazing wife on the planet, Peggy, Wes, Alena, Mandy, Julie and Paul. As much as I've feared this day, it was peaceful as my dad was sent off to the cosmos to the tune of 'When the Music's Over' by The Doors, how fitting. The music is not over, it's just taken a different shape; one you'll see in the sunrises, one you'll hear in your favorite song, one you'll smell every spring, and one you'll see when you look in the mirror.
The benefits served as more than that in my dad's opinion and we will not be having a funeral. They bum us out anyway. We will hold a celebration of my dad's life sometime in the next few months, but as of now no date or place has been set. It'll likely be at the canyon this summer.
Our family wishes to express our appreciation and gratitude for all that you have done.
Here are a few photos I never got the chance to post from the Grand Canyon benefit.
We never die, we just change form.
Love,
Mandy

We watched sunrise this morning...

It'd been quite awhile since Marcus and I watched a sunrise together. This morning, our first morning home in two weeks, I opened the curtains to the patio door and a most beautiful sunrise warmed our hearts.

Today we meet with the Hospice people from Saint George. They are kind and caring and were able to get a sense of what our family is all about through the books Julie made of special events this past year. So now we begin yet another stage in our journey. Mandy has decided to move back to the Page area (had been working at the Grand Canyon for several weeks) and Kurt (Marcus' brother), Laura, and our neice, Neeve, will be here Friday as well as Wes and Alena. My sister, Patty, is also planning a visit as are Julie and Paul.

I've been reading Final Gifts loaned from my good friend, Terry, about end of life communications and experiences written by two Hospice nurses and another book from my sister-in-law, Sharon, The Tibetin Book on Living and Dying. I highly recommend both of them.

We have so many people to thank for help and support on our journey. I am a little weary and simply want to say, thank you...for your love, sharing, help, support, generousity, prayers, and anything else. I do need to mention that our Grand Canyon friends performed a melodrama written and directed by Marcus' poker buddy, Bob Kelso and the profit went to, you guessed it, the Fuhrman family. While I know Bob is a funny guy, I was very impressed and needed the endorphens (spelling) from the laughter! They may perform for tourists this summer so check it out if you get Grand Canyon way.

Every day remains a gift. Please continue to post comments.
Love and appreciation, Peggy

Peggy updating - not as entertaining as Marcus!

Hello friends, family, and fans of Marcus - hey that's aliteration!
Since the last update we've had visits from Marcus' sister, Emily, Steve (her husband), and our nephew, Lars, plus my sister, Mary and her husband Mike came for a week leaving this past Wednesday. We treasure the time spent with them and goodbyes were difficult and quiet. Our friend, Judi, comes this weekend and Peter, Marcus' brother from France, arrives for a short visit Monday. He'll take us to Las Vegas to catch a flight to the coast for a week with Julie and Paul. Marcus has had chemo 4 days in the last three weeks plus a transfusion which did make his red blood count go up - he looks forward to two weeks without treatment. When we fly back to Vegas we'll rest then head for Flagstaff for a PET scan and short chemo day. We'll rest again at Kelso's Stately Manor before heading for the canyon and a Melodrama written by Bob (of Kelso's Stately Manor) and performed by friends at the community building. Proceeds to go to - you guessed it - the Fuhrman family.
In closing, we appreciate all that friends, family, and even strangers are doing for us. Thanks to you, I can stay home with Marcus. Mandy is working as a bartender at the Bright Angel Lodge at the Grand Canyon and is staying at the "other" Kelso Stately Manor. We're glad she is getting a life and is still close by.
Every day remains a gift, Peggy and Marcus