Well, for those of you that don't know yet or don't read the message boards at DAISIE COMPANY, my Uncle Johnny died in his sleep early Monday morning.  From the time of his diagnosis to his death was probably somewhere around 2 months, it was painfully fast.

We did get to have some special time with him on Friday when he was still alert.  He really encouraged my daughter Jacqui and told her how proud of her he was and how much more he had wanted to invest in her life, but wouldn't be able.  Uncle John's greatest sadness was all the things he had yet planned to do, but wouldn't have the time to do now.  My Aunt Betty is a very, very strong and capable woman and will miss him very deeply, but will do well.  She is an amazing woman in her own right. 

She was the very first woman FAA maintenance inspector, a pilot and an amazing business woman — and on top of all that she is a fabulous quilt maker/designer.  We had to laugh at her sewing room!  It's piled almost to the ceiling with neatly arranged boxes of fabric (and there's more elsewhere!)  She is a total fabric-aholic. 

My Aunt Nancy was there as well as my Uncle Ralph who goes by "Buddy," whom I had never met before.  Only one brother, Rob Roy, wasn't able to make it there.  I have photos that my Dad's pastor took of the four of them that once we get the car unloaded and the important work urgent items attended to, I'll try to upload to show you. 

Jacqui's checkride had been rescheduled for 9 AM on Monday.  So after learning about her Great Uncle's death, she had to concentrate and get ready for her test.  Unfortunately, she did not pass her first FAA checkride, she did great until about half way through.  Her instructor told her that she was just under too much stress with all that had happened that day and she was confident that she would do fine, to keep her chin up.  She took it really hard, but she will learn something of value from this experience that will make her a better pilot and person in the long run (I can hear her now, "Oh MOM!  You're being such a Pollyanna again!" with a twinkle in her eye!)

We left Prescott, AZ at around 4 PM yesterday and drove until 4 AM, pulled over and napped for a couple of hours and then arrived home at about 8 AM.  Normally it is a 10 hour drive, but we were towing a heavy trailer with Jacqui's "dead" car on it and the wind was heavy and gusty.  It will take me a couple of days to get back up to speed and I may not get any new product into the store for a bit, so be patient with me! 

I hope that you take time to think about your family members that you haven't contacted in a while and take a moment to call or write or make them a lovely card that tells them how much you love and are thinking about them (with all those lovely graphics many of you own!)  Life is short — heaven is close. 

Audrey Jeanne Roberts