Sad.

From birth until 3rd grade I lived on a street called Thornbush Cir. Down the street lived the Theobalt Family. The family consisted of Ricky, Elaine and 3 girls. Rhonda was the oldest (my sisters age), Shannon was the middle child, and Melissa the youngest. Shannon was a year older than me and Melissa was a year younger. Shannon, Melissa and I were inseperable. We saw eachother and played every single day and had slumber parties almost every weekend. When I moved to a different neighborhood in 3rd grade, we still kept in touch.. we talked all the time and still made time for our sleep overs or 6 flags spring breakout (ha!). They are my very best friends and their family is my 2nd family. I would go to church with them, family reunions in AK every year, out of town football games, retreats, and eventually ended up at their same high school (where Ricky taught). We grew up not just as best friends, but as family, sisters. I consider their whole extended family, my family... cousins, 2nd & 3rd cousins, aunts, uncles, granny, grandad, gimmy, etc. The Theobalts are such a huge part of my life.

Four weeks ago (when we were on the ski trip for Chadd's birthday), I received a devestating phone call. Elaine had stopped breathing during the night and was rushed to the hospital. Her heart had stopped and come to find out in the leading days, there had been extensive brain damage from lack of oxygen. After three weeks of being in a coma, she passed. This was so sudden and so tragic. This past week was one of the most devistating times of my life. The girls are lost.. they are so saddened w/out their Mother, without being able to pick up the phone daily and talk to her like they have always done, and being able to take their kids to see their Grandma, or "Ga" as Carson calls her. She was a proud Grandma of 6 with 2 idential twin girls on the way.

I dont have words to describe the feelings and couldn't possibly imagine what it would be like to lose my Mother... it makes my stomach churn just thinking about it. I continue to pray for Ricky (they were married for 39 years!), the girls, the grandkids, her sisters, her Mom, neices/nephews.. for their strength and faith in getting through this really tough time. You are all in my heart, every single day.

Elaine, you were like a Mom to me.. you were my 2nd Mom. Thank you for always treating me like one of your own and for inviting me into your life like you did. You always made me feel welcome into your home, your family, and your world. I can never express how much that has meant to me. You created and raised the most amazing children and it shows with the lives they have created for themselves and their families. Like you, they are the most wonderful friends, wives, moms, sisters, aunts... They were lucky to have you as a Mother and I was lucky to have you as my 2nd Mom. I will always love you and will miss you dearly!

Misty, Elaine's neice, wrote a poem that is just beautiful!! To read it click here

Elaine Theobalt 01/20/50 - 01/25/09
Beloved Wife, Mother, Grandma, Sister, Daughter, Aunt, & Friend