Cafe Romantika in Istanbul

It was Monday night, June 8th, in the old historical city
of Istanbul. And a special group of American women
along with one tiny baby boy, packed themselves tightly
in a mini-van in order to travel across the city to enjoy
a beautiful, fun evening at Cafe Romantika. Wewere
honoring one special woman who would be returning
to the States very soon, then moving to another part of
the world after living in Istanbul for the last six years
with her beautiful family. I was honored to be a part of
Jenny's special group of friends. Dinner at this restaurant
was nothing like some of us have ever experienced.

Cafe Romantika was located within a beautiful park in the

city of Istanbul along the waterfront of the Bosphorus Strait.

As we walked the path to the restaurant, we spotted these

kittens. Remember, we were in Turkey and cats are very

special to everyone there...and cats are all

over the place in abundance!

The front of the restaurant...the ladies entering.

Look at the beautiful glass chandeliers inside the Cafe.

But we chose to eat outside on the waterfront so we could

enjoy the view!

A special gift for a special lady! Love the shoes!!!

There were ten of us and Cyrus. I love my daughter's friends!

Enjoying delicious food!

One of the views across the water...

In the distance you can see The Prince's Islands.

Jenny and I enjoyed our veggie crepes. Mmmmmm!

I enjoyed holding Cy more than the food!!!

One of his little yawns!

Look at those precious little hands!

Wide open, dark blue eyes...what a great picture of Cyrus!

One of many 'aunts' who love holding Cyrus.

As the sun went down, the breeze on the

waterfront grew cooler. So blankets were

provided by the Cafe. Here Cy is wrapped

up in one to keep him warm!

The sun set...the clouds moved with the breeze...it was

an enchanting evening...little did Jenny and I know that

this evening would turn into my last evening in Istanbul.

We went to Starbuck's for coffee and cheesecake after

leaving Cafe Romantika. On our way to the van, Matt

called Jenny to say that when we got home, I was to call

Kit. We didn't think anything about that in that I had not

had my usual phone chat with him that day. Once we

got back to Jenny's apartment, we made the call. Then

we heard the bad news that Mom had had a mid-brain

stroke that was fatal. I had to fly home quickly, and Jenny

said that she and Cyrus would fly with me. I was thankful

to not be flying for hours by myself. I have a wonderful

son-in-law. He quickly got on the computer to make

arrangements for our flight home. He unselfishly said okay

for his wife and newborn son to leave him with a 3 year old

and a 4 year old, so that she could be with her mother, who

needed her so much. Thank you Matt for being the man,

the husband, the father that you are. I thank God for you!

Going Back in Time...

Okay, let's go back to Sunday, June 7th in Istanbul. That

special afternoon, Cyrus had a party, a baby shower party

that was supposed to have happened on May 17th. But

Cyrus was born on May 17th, therefore neither Cy nor

his mommy could attend the party that day!!! So it was

rescheduled for this special Sunday afternoon.

Many special women friends of Jenny's gathered in the

apartment that day.

More special friends...

The girls were happy looking at pictures. What a special

group of beautiful girls. Love them!

Addi didn't have to take a nap on this afternoon due to

the party. She looks tired here, but once the other little

girls arrived, she came alive having a good time. She wore

her special skirt just for the party! She's so cute!

Addi and her friend, Shiloh, were amazed by the 'baby

confetti' on the food table.

Anna Claire and Shiloh resting after playing hard. Shiloh

is small in stature and fit perfectly in Cy's little seat!

The girls and Maddox looking at pictures on the camera.

So many special friends!

The delicious baby shower cake beautifully decorated.

Mmmmmm!

Lots of delicious snacks were provided. Love that dip!

Lots of presents were unwrapped too!

Jen loved the baby afghan that I had crocheted for Cyrus.

Addi and Maddox loved doing the Hokie Pokie!

And Cyrus slept throughout the entire party...just as he

should do! What a good baby!

After the Funeral with Family

After Mom's funeral and the service at the cemetery,

we returned to Sherman and Sandy's home. It was our

base during the days after Mom's death. I was thankful

that Sandy offered their home for this and it was a

perfect place for family and friends to gather. With the

beautiful new kitchen that my brother remodeled, we

gathered together to eat, remember, laugh, and enjoy

our family and friends.

My precious niece, Sherri, and my beautiful sister-in-law,

Sandy, are two very special people in my life. I'm so blessed.

Kristen wanted to make sure that I was included in all

the pictures. Usually I'm taking them, so there aren't

pics of me! Thank you K! Love you bunches.

Maria and her four precious children came by the house.

She's Sherri's best friend and has been for a long time.

We ate and ate, especially the wonderful desserts. Here

Kit, Melissa and Adam have just had more dessert!

Kit has a 'deep' conversation with Kayleigh, Maria's only

daughter. What a great dancer she is too. Sherri tried to

keep up with her, but Kayleigh was just tooooo much!

We were blessed with the presence of David and Sharon

Depp, Jenny's mother-in-law and father-in-law. We were

also blessed that Kristen Sherrill, a former member of the

K Team and good friend of Jenny's, came by. She enjoyed

seeing Jenny and getting to hold Cyrus, whom she had not

seen at all.

Kristen and Cyrus

Kristen and Matt with a sleeping Turner.

What a sweet baby boy! Turner was so good during the

funeral proceedings and at this point, he was all tired out!

Cyrus and Jenny - burping time! Cyrus also has a good

grip on Uncle Sherman's finger!

Another view of Jenny, Cyrus and Uncle Sherman.

Another view of new life and older life...So sweet!

Baby Cyrus, only one month old, had his passport before

he was two weeks old and I'm so glad so that he and Jenny

could fly home from Istanbul with me to be with Mom

during her last days here on earth.

Such a sweet boy! We are blessed with three grandsons

and one granddaughter. WOW! Thank you Lord.

Uncle Sherman finally got to hold little Cyrus!

Then Gran was able to get her hands on the little one!

Again, Kristen made sure that pictures were taken. :-)

Once our family returned to Boone's Farm on Coltrane

Mill Rd., we enjoyed time with one another before the guys

had to return home. Turner was very entertaining in that

he had begun crawling just that week. Also, he and his

Dad love to play ball. Imagine that!

Aunt Jenny wanted to make sure that she had a picture

with Turner, her only nephew!

Turner playing ball with Matt.

What a sweet little cutie pie!!!

And Cyrus slept throughout the 'ballgame' event!

Matt dressed Turner in his PJs and I had the pleasure of

feeding him his bottle. Then he was ready to go home to

Apex. So Matt, Kristen and Turner headed toward Raleigh

as Adam, Melissa and Kiya headed back to Boone. Jenny

and Cyrus remained with us for a few more days. But the

house got very quiet after that.

Grandad and Cy enjoying some time together.

A Tribute to Mom

I'm still struggling with the loss of my special Mom. I

thought that writing about her funeral would help me

to deal with the grief that I'm feeling. I know that Mom

is with God, is healthier, happier, and in a glorious place.

I'm so happy for her that she's reached that place that

we all desire to be someday. That doesn't seem to

diminish the hurting in my heart. Time and God's care

will take care of me I know. I love so many people who

are praying not only for me, but for all of our family during

this time of loss.

I love Bobbi Watkins, Director of Volunteer Services at

High Point Regional Health Systems. Mom loved her

dearly also along with Sammie and Jennifer, who are

assistants. Bobbi took both of these pictures of the HPRHS

Volunteers as they stood in a salute at the end of Mom's

funeral on June 17th. They sat together during the funeral,

about 5 rows of them, wearing their burgundy volunteer

jackets. What an impression they made and our family felt

the love and support from their presence. I knew so many

of them as Mom always introduced me when I'd visit her

at the hospital.

Among this large group were some of Mom's best friends.

When you volunteer like this, you meet all kinds of people.

Mom loved people, loved working with people, and loved

helping people. These volunteers are an incredible group

of people, very special people for High Point Regional Hospital.

I love them and appreciate them for attending Mom's funeral,

for their salute to her that showed how much they loved

her. It was unquestionable how much Mom loved each of them.

Mom received numerous plants and flowers. I wish I had

taken pictures of all of them. But during my grief, I didn't.

This is the huge basket of flowers given by the High Point

Regional Hospital Volunteer Services. It was so beautiful

and symbolized the love that so many had for Mom. They

expressed to me how much they miss Mom, how she was

irreplaceable as a volunteer, as a friend. I understand.

The ribbon through the center said "Beloved Volunteer",

representing Mom's 20 years as a volunteer. She loved

being a volunteer so much. Even when she didn't feel well,

she would be at the front Information Desk doing her job.

When she couldn't be there, she felt guilty in not fulfilling

her responsibility. If Mom said that she would do something,

she did it. She believed in being honest, trustworthy and in

working hard to do the best that she could. Mom had so

many admirable qualities. I just hope that I can be partially

close to what her character represented during her lifetime.

After the afternoon funeral, after being with family at

Sherman's home, after returning to our home to be with

our children, and after they left to return home, Kit and

I returned to the cemetery. I needed to revisit Mom and

Dad, even though I know that their blessed spirits were

no longer there in their earthly bodies. I wanted pictures

of the beautiful flowers also.

The spray for Mom's casket was made of red roses, white

lilies and baby's breath. Mom loved red and I know that

she would have loved this spray of flowers.

Now Mom and Dad's bodies are resting together. I can find

peace in knowing that they are together, that they are with

their families who have passed away, and especially that

they have seen Jesus face to face. It is easy for me to see

them all smiling, especially Jesus, as he welcomes Mom to

a wonderful new world of love. We love you so much Mom

and Dad. I'm so happy that you have now found the PEACE

that only God can provide.

Mamaw