Saturday, July 26, 2008

Finale

It was a wonderful ride. The tiny miracles are too numerous to count. And being true to form, a lady always knows when to leave.

She left us just after midnight. She was peaceful and graceful. We all had our time to say our goodbyes, and to tell her it was okay to go. She knew we would be fine, she's been preparing us for this for 6 weeks now. But still, she wanted to hear it from us. And when the time came, we were all right there.

Dad is a rock. He felt her spirit so closely, more so than the rest of us could. I think Troy likened it to the Celestial Room, and it absolutely was. We know there was a joyous reunion in heaven last night, and as hard as it was for us, it was wonderful to think of all the sweet spirits she is in contact with now.

The viewing will be Monday evening, and the funeral will be Tuesday morning. Broomhead's are taking care of it for us, and a special thanks to Ron for his professionalism.

Also, thank you Bishop, Vicki, and Lowell for the middle of the night support. And thank you Pat for the groceries. And thank you to all the others who have helped us in ways you will never know.

She loves and watches over all of us now. She is our guardian angel.

We love you mom.

33 comments:

Mike said...

Mom called me this morning with the news.

Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.

If we could be there we would be, but you know that we are in a way.

We love all y'all. ;)

Nikki said...

I heard the news early this morning from Kathie P. I wanted so badly to run right over and give you all a great big hug. I understand how you feel. But I am in Southern Utah and too far away. Also I know sometimes you just want to be alone together, without all the company. But my arms are around you all and sharing my love from St. George.

Your mom as you know was a wonderful lady who influenced so many people, as has been shown by so many the past six weeks. How truly blessed we all are to have had her in our life.

Noteable: Years ago when my mom passed away, I came wandering over to your house to escape all the hullabaloo of funeral planning etc. I walked in the back door and the first thing your mom did was give me a great big hug then tell me to go on upstairs, Jill was up there. No big words of wisdom, no hashing out all my feelings, just a go on up. She wanted me to be able to just relax and find some normalcy in the chaos. And that is what I found at your house. Love and support without all the fancy words, just the actions, another place I belonged that felt like home. How truly blessed I was to have you all in my life then and now.

I know I promised a light hearted noteable, but it just didn't seem appropriate. I will see you all in a few days.

Anonymous said...

Spirituality is that place where the utterly intimate and the vastly infinite meet. "Rick Fields"

Yes your dad is a rock. How blessed are we to not come from a broken house, but one where are parents loved each other. I am certain that my dad gave your mom a welcoming hug. I love you guys even though you don't know me. Your parents have been kinder to me than any words can express. The pain is hard, hold onto each other and know she is in god's care. She is a beautiful lady.

Anonymous said...

By the way, you kids are the bomb!

Larissa said...

Vicki called me this morning. I was deeply heartbroken. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all as well. Know that we are thinking of you and love you all very much. As always, we are here for you if you need anything. Thanks for being the great examples that you are! Our lives have been tremendously blessed in knowing Paula as well as by each of you. Thank you!

Catherine Noorda said...

we love you all. we will miss aunt paula. she and danny were some of the first noordas i met shortly after i started dating jameson and i fell in love with them right away. we were so saddened at the news this morning.

we'll be there this week. we'll be praying for all of you.

cat & jamo noorda

Jacob said...

I had not realized that it would be so soon. Our thoughts our definitely with you all.

Anonymous said...

I was saddened this morning when I heard of the passing of your wife and mother, Aunt Paula. In the 16 years that I have known Paula, she has always made me feel important when I would see her. She was one of those individuals that brought good cheer to everyone that she met. She had an ability to make you feel special no matter who you were.

I regretfully will be in Michigan next week. Please know that my thoughts, prayers, and faith will be for you and your family.

My God give you the peace that only He can bring through the hope that is in His Son Jesus.

Love,

Jon

Lyf2.0 said...

It is funny how you can never have met a person face-to-face, but still feel connected and saddened when they go. I'm thankful I got to know your mother through your blogs and this blog. I know she was a wonderful mother and wife.

I want you all to know if I could take away some of the pain your are feeling right now, I would. I hope you can find the comfort and strength you need to get you through the next couple days, weeks, or months ahead.

I love you guys. Be strong and know you WILL see your mother again one day.

My love and sympathies,

Gabe

ClistyB said...

You all were so nice to me this morning.
Go easy on the fruit bouquet, or you'll be in some 'trouble'

Always around for ya,
Clisty

Lori said...

Noorda Family,

Our thoughts and prayers are with you all. We are so lucky to know all of you. Your mom was such a wonderful person!

Love,

Jeff, Lori, and the kids

Audrey Taylor said...

We'll come to the funeral and it will be nice to see you all. I'm soooo glad that you were all able to be together for the weeks proceeding. I'm so glad that you had the preparation and were able to say goodbye for now. Love you guys.

Phoebe said...

I am so sorry to hear about your mother. I am glad that you were all able to be with her. Our thoughts and prayers are with your family.

grannybabs said...

I got the news on the way to the temple tonight - I know she is happy and out of pain now - but that all of you are missing her terribly.

May a lifetime of memories sustain you in the lifetime ahead of each of you.

And thank you for sharing this experience with all of us - even in dying, your mother was able to give to all of us.

chel wakley said...

Just wanted to let you know that you are in my prayers. And what an amazing family you have to all be together.. You are all a truelly a blessing to this world and we are so grateful to have had a chance to know you.

Merit Badge Mom said...

You truely are an amazing family. Thank you for sharing this private and most wonderful journey with all of us. Thank you for teaching us how important family is and how not to take one moment for granted. She will be missed but her spirited has touched our lives in so many ways that she will never be forgotten.

Missy Lee said...

Noorda Family-
We knew this day was coming, but didn't realize it would be so soon! It's comforting to know that you are all at peace with her leaving, and it helps to know that she is out of pain now and in a much better place. In a way, you guys are lucky that you were all able to say your "real" goodbyes. More often than not, it doesn't end that way, and I think that you all will be able to carry on, and be stronger because of these circumstances. Thank you for posting this blog! It was a great way to keep up with all of the happenings. And thanks to Keli for making the posts somewhat lighthearted and funny~ I've got your other blogs saved as favorites, so let's keep in touch!! We love you guys!!

Love,
The Williams Family

Garet and Andrea said...

Noordas,
I can not tell you how sorry I am. I read Melissa Williams comment and she puts it pretty well. I am blessed to have known Paula and to know how much she loved everyone. Your family has done so much for my family and I am grateful more than I can explain. I am especially grateful for Dan. I am sorry for your loss, I know how much you love her. I love you all more than you will ever know.
Love,
Andrea (Andy Clark) Cooper

Michelle said...

I too just wanted to say thankyou for posting this blog. It has been a great insight to what you all have been going through, and a great update to your mom's health. It was so great to hear your funny comments and your spiritual comments as well. Your mom and dad have been there for me through some very hard times in my life! I will forever remember your mom at girls camp, trek (where she took care of me tenderly because I was so sunburnt) and right there when Malorie was sick or we had a fast for her. I have so many great memories of her and your dad! Thank you for so graciously sharing your mom and dad with everyone else!!
Love you all
Michelle Muhlestein

Alice said...

Our prayers are with all of your family. I didn't know your MOM well but I know that she is part of you always.

Felipe and Erika said...

I was so very sad to hear about your Mom. I hope that the little miracles and tender mercies will sustain you this week and in the months to come. You are in our prayers.

Meili said...

Jill, I wish I could be there for you tonight. My parents will be there. I'm so glad you were able to be there with her to say goodbye. Love you!

G &GJohns said...

Our thoughts and prayers are with your family. Thank you for taking the time to post this blog. We love you.

Nikki said...

Just left the viewing and boy what a testament to how much your mom is loved. People waiting longer than you'd wait to see your favorite blockbuster at the local movie theatre, hm.. maybe even longer than waiting to buy tickets for your favorite recording artist. :) I don't know how you guys do it. Your strong and steadfast. Thank goodness for the comforter.

Noteable. How about "Sunny D" water and Tuna and onion sandwiches. Mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm!! My fovorite lunch on the beach while waterskiing. Whether it be good ol' Utah Lake, Lake Powell, Deer Creek or the many others we frequented. I remember the first time we had Sunny D water, I said, "Sunny D water what the heck it that?"... You know you had Sunny D for breakfast, then don't rinse the jug and fill with water then put it on ice. Can't beat it. And who would have ever thought onions and tuna together?!

I remember we used to laugh and Paula said if Troy's future wife could make Tuna they'd live happily ever after!! So Troy do you still love Tuna?

Nikki said...

Just noticed that it says I blogged at 7:59 p.m. Ha ha NOT!! Try 9:10 p.m. I had just left the viewing at 7:45 ish. Sheesh my computer must have a time deficiancy. Anyway rambling, but at least I'm not crying. :)

Doney Days said...

We are truly heartbroken for you all! Keli, you are an amazing example of strength. I am amazed everytime you blog something and how you can have such a positive attitude towards life. Thank you for sharing your thoughts and feelings with others through this rough time. I am so glad you were able to spend time with her these past few weeks. We love you guys!
The Doney's

Nikki said...

me again!! I know you wonder, "have we created a monoster?" The answer..."YES"

I have now started my own blog, who knows why..Peer pressure! You can find me at http://firemanlover.blogspot.com/ For those of you who know me and are interested.

Nikki said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
bet[c] said...

I'm so sorry to hear about your mother. I'm so glad that you have been able to be with her and your family for the past little bit. You will be in our prayers.

Jeanette said...

I check in from time to time to see how things are going and today my breath stopped short. I am so sorry for your loss. My prayers and tears are with you.

Nikki said...

The funeral was wonderful, well as wonderful as a funeral can be. You all did such an amazing job. You truly shared the love you all have for your sweet mom. Wish I could have said hi, but what a crowd.

Noteable: Who remembers the time we were deer hunting and the back of the truck was loaded down with kids as we were loooking for deer. I luckily was in the front seat with Danny, Paula and maybe Jill and Meg. (my memory is sketchy on that part) But anyway the road was really rutted so Danny went out and around the huge ruts. But....not out and around far enough. Yes, you can guess the driver side wheels (BOTH OF THEM) fell into the huge rut. This put both passenger side wheels and the door about 45 degrees into the air. Now that was a shocker. Of course some kids fell onto the ground. No one was hurt since we were only going like 5 miles per hour and when the truck tipped it was about a 2 foot drop to the ground. I think Paula yelled "Danny!!" Can't you just hear it. LOL

That took us a while to dig out of. But what fun it was.

Laurel said...

We are sorry for your loss, she was an inspirational lady.

the Mills Family

Audrey Taylor said...

You all did a wonderful job speaking at the services. I'm so grateful to know Paula and to be able to attend up in Riverton. It was nice to see your family.