I want to thank you all for the love and support you have shown in the many posts and calls I have received since Wednesday. I'm overwhelmed by the acts of service and love you have all shown. Roy was my hero and loving companion in everything and I will miss him dearly. Your service over the last several years has given me precious time with him and I love you all for that. Here is the link to his obituary, with viewing and funeral information at the bottom.

http://www.meldrummortuary.com/…/Roy-Art…/Gilbert-AZ/1701090

~Deanna

I have had so many people ask about my list, so here are some items.  If you are really begging to help, but I can't imagine it with everyone's busy lives!  I have just edited it from previously.  Number 1 is the best thing you can do for us.

1.  Remember Roy in your prayers.  Just pray he will be comfortable and know of your love for him.
2.  I have some broken cabinet hinges that could be replaced.
3.  I have a new (used) dryer that needs to be installed.
4.  We remodeled the bathroom, so there is some drywall work that needs to be done.
5.  I have some drywall repairs that need to be painted.
6.  My front, back, and door to the garage need to be painted.
7.  I live on an acre, so there is always yard work to do.  Brother Skousen is a hard worker and keeps up with it, but I'm sure he could use some help.
8.  Meals are always appreciated.  The more time I have for Roy, the better.
9.  Sometimes I need a ride for Taylor.  If you think you are available for that, just let me know.
10.  My windows are really dirty and could use a wash.
11.  I have two windows with broken glass that needs to be removed.
12.  I have an open attic.  Roy is concerned of the fire danger of having it open and I need to have the ladder cover installed.
13.  I have two new garage door openers that need to be installed.
14.  My interior doors need to be dusted off.
15.  Taylor has a motor scooter that needs the flat tire changed on.
16.  House cleaning is appreciated.
17.  Laundry assistance
18.  Math tutoring for Taylor
19.  My cars needs washed periodically.  My handicap van could use a carpet shampoo
20.  Roy needs some reasonably-priced dental work so he can eat.
21.  I'm thinking.......

My dear, dear friends and family,

What a wonderful weekend it was for us.  Roy loved seeing all of you at the fundraiser.  His favorite part was visiting and the entire day was worth it just for that.  Your generosity was a bonus.  Roy and I were in tears last night as we counted the thousands of dollars you all contributed to us.  We don't have the works to thank you.  There were so many hours of service rendered to us before, during, and after.  You made food and baked goods and then came and paid to eat it and/or take it home.  What a concept!  Everyone was smiling and so generous.  The day was wonderful, the weather was fine, the company was spectacular. There is no way we can thank everyone personally.  We know there were many that helped and we will never know who all of you are.  Please know of our love and thanks for you.  Your generosity didn't go unnoticed.

I have some really great neighbors who would like to provide another fry bread fundraiser this coming Saturday from 11 to 2 at the Boyd's home to help cover some expenses for Roy.  Their address is 4244 E Caroline Ln in Gilbert.  If you love fry bread and need some lunch, feel free to stop by.  You can find more details on the Facebook page, or you can contact me at 602-696-9000 and I can share what I know.

I'm sorry I haven't updated the list yet, but I have been overwhelmed with service being rendered and grateful for all everyone does for us.  I could never take this journey without the help you provide.  Thank you so very much.

Dear Family and Friends,

I wanted to give all of you an update on Roy.  He is my strength and beacon and he is what keeps me going each and every day.  He makes me smile and laugh, and we cry through the struggles together.  I recently attended the funeral for a friend and was so touched by the messages there of the Plan of Salvation.  I feel so blessed to have the Gospel in my life and the knowledge of a Redeeming Savior and eternal life with my sweet companion and my family.

Roy continues to get worse as the disease overtakes his body.  It is very difficult to watch as he has such a will to do things and his body is not willing to assist.  He has continued to work from home, but has recently had to stop doing that as well.  He can no longer be loaded into our truck so that he can go to his doctor appointments or church.  This has been a big blow to him.  We are currently in search of a vehicle we can purchase that will allow us to load him in with his power chair.

I am asked so often by so many people what they can do to help and I am also told that I don't allow others to do enough.  I appreciate your love and support and am blown away by the support of loving family and friends who are so willing to assist.  There is no way I could be juggling everything I do without all of your support.  Every prayer, every day, is full of appreciation for all of you.  When people ask me how I do it all, I tell them I don't.  I have guardian angels helping me.

It is difficult for Roy to talk, but he enjoys the visits from his friends.  He loves pondering memories of better times spent with you.  He can no longer write and is having difficulty eating because he doesn't have the coordination to get the food into his mouth.  He now needs someone to assist in feeding him.  He is loosing muscle and feeling in his limbs, and use to be able to assist in transfers, but can no longer to do that, which makes things at home more difficult.

Thank you all so much for all you have done.  I want to let you know that I welcome any and all assistance that you can render, because I realize that I cannot do it alone.  Please don't ever feel like I have refused to allow you to help.  I want to share Roy with everyone.  However, I don't ever want anyone to feel the obligation to assist or by assignment.  I don't ever want anyone to neglect their family responsibilities in order to provide service to us.

I have a list of things that Roy would typically take care of for me.  I have learned how much he really did for me and for others, without recognition and unconditionally.  I have become so accustom to him handling it all and usually with his own hands.  If you feel the need to serve, you are welcome to review the list and pick and choose anything that fits your schedule.  However, thoughts and prayers are most appreciated.

Thank you again for all you do.  I will post the list and keep it updated as things are done and new items because a necessity.

Love to all - Deanna

Updated List

Thank you for those that have been kind and generous enough to help.  I have an updated list of items today if you are still interested in helping.

1. Remember Roy in your prayers.
2. Cabinet hinges in my house need to be installed and adjusted. (I have purchased them.)
4. Light fixture in my dining room has a problem and needs someone who knows something about it look at it.
5. The drum rollers in my dryer need to be replaced. (I have purchased them.)
6. Drywall repair (i.e. hole in ceiling, hold in wall, bathroom doorway refinished where we had to enlarge it.
7. Yard work – periodically I need help with the yard. Right now it doesn’t look too bad. It needs some raking.
8. Pictures and clock hung on the wall
9. Sometimes I need a ride for Taylor. If you think you are available for that, just let me know.
10. My windows are really dirty and could use a wash.
11. We have some concrete on the back porch that needs to be smooth level. Not sure how to even find the tools to rent to accomplish this.
12. I have two windows with broken glass that needs to be removed.
13. I need two garage door openers installed. (Already purchased)
14. I have two baskets of socks that need to be matched up.  (Good project for teenagers)
15. All of my interior doors need to be cleaned off.  6 panels are dusty and dirty.
16. I need someone to go through the house and replace light bulbs.

Letter From My Mom

Dear Family and Friends,
 

Your expression of love and support for Roy has been comforting and overwhelming. To be quite blunt – the show of support we are experiences has blow us away. There have been so many of you show your love through cards, emails, visits, organizing events, donations, and service. There is no way I can ever know and thank everyone that has been so generous with their thoughts, prayers, funds, and time. We love you all so much.
 

As you know, Roy has always been one to do for himself and for others for many years. He has spent countless hours of service to others through his callings or just whenever he saw the need. It never really seemed like a chore or inconvenience at the time. Now the tides have turned and the coin is flipped and what a challenge it has been for both of us. Serving others seems so easy. Thank you to everyone.
 

I am constantly asked about Roy’s condition and also what kind of help I need or how people can assist. I would love to be able to say just make him better, but of course that isn’t possible. Not only do I receive requests for service, but those closest to me have received those requests as well. This is such a hard question for me to always answer.
 

For this reason, I have been asked to provide a list of things that I could use help with. It seems like the posting on a blog would be the best way. For those of you who know me well, you know this is such a foreign concept for me. At the same time, it just seems more feasible to be able to refer everyone to the blog when they ask, rather than try to come up with something that fits into their schedule. With the help of my daughter, hopefully we can use this site to update those interested on Roy’s condition, as well as list tasks that I use to be able to rely on Roy to do for me. As his condition continues to deteriorate, it is getting more and more difficult to spread myself everywhere I need to be and do everything I need to do. Sometimes just making the telephone calls I need to make seems difficult to get to.
 

If you are looking for ways to serve and have a specific knowledge or training in a specific area, here are the things I could use help with. Make it fit your schedule or just do number 1 for us. I will just continue to update the list as items are completed, and/or other needs arise.
 

1. Remember Roy in your prayers.
2. Cabinet hinges in my house need to be installed and adjusted. (I have purchased them.)
3. Headlight for my car needs to be installed.
4. Light fixture in my dining room has a problem and needs someone who knows something about it look at it.
5. The drum rollers in my dryer need to be replaced. (I have purchased them.)
6. Drywall repair (i.e. hole in ceiling, hold in wall, bathroom doorway refinished where we had to enlarge it.
7. Yard work – periodically I need help with the yard. Right now it doesn’t look too bad. It needs some raking.
8. Pictures and clock hung on the wall
9. Sometimes I need a ride for Taylor. If you think you are available for that, just let me know.
10. My windows are really dirty and could use a wash.
11. We have some concrete on the back porch that needs to be smooth level. Not sure how to even find the tools to rent to accomplish this.

Love to all. I so appreciate everyone’s love and support!!!

 

~Deanna