Sister Susan laid to rest

Yes, the good Lord has knocked on our door again … Those words are from a song cousin Ernest wrote after losing his mother and brother in accidents years ago. Those words came to my mind tonight.

Our hearts ache again as we laid dear sister Susan to rest beside Mose. A spot in between was reserved for daughter Susan, hopefully many, many years from now. After four weeks, sister Susan lost out to the battle. How it hurt to see her in those last hours of her life. Just two of the family were allowed to go in at a time to be with her in her final hours, but at 7 p.m. we were told we needed to leave until 7 a.m. We begged that they would consider at least one person staying with her during the night hours so she wouldn’t be alone. After no consent, we went to the motel to sleep until we were allowed back in at 7 a.m. Shortly before 6:30 a.m., the doctor called to tell us she passed away. Oh, to be able to be with loved ones when they need you would be such a blessing. At a time like that, your loved ones by your side would be a great comfort. Although Susan couldn’t talk much, she mouthed the words “I love you” to sister Verena before we left. Tears were rolling from her eyes, making it harder for us to leave her.

She died on January 31, and brother Amos died on the same date three years ago. She leaves to mourn five sisters, one brother, and many nieces and nephews.

The visitation and funeral were all held here again. Once again our church community stepped in to help, in every way they could.

Sister Verena is devastated and feels so alone with Susan not around. One of our daughters stay with her during the night.

Daughter Lovina is staying with her tonight and goes to work from there in the morning. Lovina, 16, started working at McDonald’s with some of her friends. She seems to enjoy it so far. I miss her help here at home. I think she likes the idea of getting out of the house and doing something different.

Friday, February 5, was a hard day for daughter Susan, as it was Mose’s birthday. Susan and her children spent a week here over the funeral of sister Susan. One morning, daughter Susan was lying on the couch beside Jennifer, 3. Jennifer asked her, “What’s wrong, Mom?” Susan told her, “I’m sad because I miss Daddy.” So Jennifer hugged Susan and said, “I’ll take care of you, Mom.” It was so cute and precious to see her wanting to comfort her mother.

One night Jennifer was singing the song “How Far Is Heaven” and asking for Mose. Jennifer and Ryan have been a great comfort to have around for Susan.

On Sunday evening, we had sister Verena join our family for supper. Daughter Verena went home with her for the night. Oh, how we miss our loved ones.

Today, February 9, is my good friend Ruth’s birthday. She has been such a help to me and my family. Happy birthday, Ruth! God’s blessings.

Uncle Emanuel will be 91 on February 17. He and my Dad shared the same birthday, with my dad being a year younger. Uncle Emanuel and Aunt Leah (Mom’s sister) came to the visitation of sister Susan, traveling the two-hour drive with their children and spouses. Sister Emma asked Uncle Emanuel what the secret is to his long life and he said, “Eat coffee soup every morning.” We had a laugh about that. Grandma Graber was in her 90s when she died, and she, too, ate coffee soup every morning.

My children also like coffee soup, but I don’t fix it as often as my mother did. I will share the recipe this week.

Coffee Soup

1 cup water
2 heaping teaspoons instant coffee
4 teaspoons sugar
3 cups milk
Toasted bread or crackers, optional

Heat water on the stovetop. Remove from heat and add coffee and sugar, then mix. Add milk and return to heat again until mixture is hot. Crumble bread or crackers into it, if desired.

Lovina’s Amish Kitchen is written by Lovina Eicher, Old Order Amish writer, cook, wife, and mother of eight. Her newest cookbook, Amish Family Recipes, is available wherever books are sold. Readers can write to Eicher at PO Box 1689, South Holland, IL 60473 (please include a self-addressed stamped envelope for a reply); or email LovinasAmishKitchen@MennoMedia.org and your message will be passed on to her to read. She does not personally respond to emails.

12 thoughts on “Sister Susan laid to rest”

  1. Coffee soup sounds good but I like anything that I can dip in coffee, even a piece of chocolate and than eat it when it starts to get soft. I am sorry for all the heart ache your family has endured but God is always right and on time.

  2. It seems so cruel that hospitals are not allowing family to spend the last minutes of life with a loved one . I believe the future mental health issues will be a huge problem for years to come . My heart aches for your family in the loss of two loved ones so close together, I know your faith in God will get you through this difficult time . May God’s blessing be with each of you

  3. Love and prayers for you all. I know words don’t help much during times like this, but I want you all to know that my heart is saddened by your loss and my thoughts and prayers are with you.

  4. That’s terrible how the hospital did not care for the family! Always following the stupid hospital rules! Hospital made it much harder for the family than they needed to; and that is what Lovina will always remember. Her sister was dying; what difference does it make how many family members were in the room with her, and it would have made such a difference to the family and Susan if she could have had family members in with her during the night; it would have offered peace, comfort, and closure for everybody. My heart goes out to Lovina and family.

  5. I also feel quite angry about the hospital rules…I volunteer at our local hospital…we are also obeying these ridiculous rules…it hurts so much to know loved ones are passing away all alone! May they feel the arms of Jesus around them.

    Condolences to everyone in sister Susan’s family…it is so difficult to understand God’s reasonings sometimes but I know He has a plan for each and every one of us. We are just so blessed to be able to call upon Him in our hours of grief and sorrow…..sending my love and prayers to you, Lovina and family.

  6. Covid is an awful virus. Your family is in our prayers. We to have felt the pain from this virus.

  7. God’s blessings on all of you. So much sadness, but God will comfort as only He can. We know He is in control but in our humanness we want to know why there is so much sadness. I’m so sorry you couldn’t be with Susan during her final hour. What could have been the harm!? ??❤️??

  8. So much in such a short time. I am so sorry no one could be with your sister in her last moments on this side of heaven. I hope her passing was a peaceful one and that the Almighty with grant you all peace and hope as you mourn her passing.

    I am grateful that you have so many to help care during all this time. Prayers for your whole family and for less eventful rest of 2021.
    Lea

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