McElf GlassWorks

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Captain’s Log: Our New Angel

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December 20th, 2016

So much has happened today… it’s going to be another long one…

First. Mom has a new guardian angel. Her father, my grandfather, Paul Lukens Thompson, son of Alexander Thompson and Isabella Brown of Wilmington, DE passed away comfortably and quietly while in the amazing care of Hughes Home and Mary Washington Hospice. I cannot thank them enough for their help over the last few days.

Pops lived an awesome life. At 91 years young, he had 4 beautiful children and they married and had beautiful children, and he even got to spend time with his great-grandbabies. As a Navy SeaBee, he served our country in two wars: WWII & Korea. He was a teacher and a dreamer. He loved to fish and to dance. I will miss him every day. Even though there was plenty of time to prepare, I still cannot, and maybe I’ll never be able to, express how devastated I am by his loss. It was so special for me to have the opportunity to get to know him in my adult years. He helped me prepare for my Senior Thesis in college… we talked about boys and business and family and love and BUILDING things! I will think about him every time I smell fresh cut lumber, every time I bait a hook, and every time I pour a glass of Jameson.

As you can imagine, my mother Colleen was also very, very, very close to Pops. Even as he began to be less and less aware of the world around him, I know he has been an enormous source of comfort to her over the last few months. As if his passing was not difficult enough, the thought of telling my mother that he has passed… once she’s strong enough… it’s almost too much to bear.

A few years ago, also just before Christmas, my grandfather Clair T. McElfresh passed away. Already a medical and scientific miracle, he decided to donate himself to science so that the medical community could continue to learn from his body’s achievements. Paul was so touched by his choice and thought it was such an honorable thing to do, that he chose the same for himself. He didn’t want a service. No memorial or celebration. He hated funerals for others and couldn’t imagine asking others to attend one for his life.

He would want Mom to get better. And I am certain, with him watching over her, that she will.

Last night was very long, Mom’s BP has been running high, she is still not able to be taken off the ventilator. HOWEVER………. she did seem much more aware today, especially later in the day. This afternoon she was alert for several hours and we smiled and talked to her and let the baby sit with her. Emily cooperated beautifully, gurgling, giggling and blowing the most amazing little bubbles at her. Mom traced letters on the sheets: “B.E.A.U.T.I.F.U.L.”

Now exhausted, she’s actually sleeping. Not the unresponsive, scary coma-like state she’s been in for several days… honest-to-God REAL sleep!

Yes. Life… is beautiful.

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Life's too short for decaf coffee or annoying emails.

What I can't promise is regular, weekly emails. What I can promise is sporadic, humorous updates with a serious amount of gorgeous glassy adventures inside. Occasionally, there might even be a chance to join me for a cup o' coffee. (The really caffeinated kind!)

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