A Tribute to my Dearest Jeffrey Don Smith

It is with a very heavy heart that I start out my return to blogging with an explanation for my absence. Almost two months ago my precious husband of 31+ years died after a long battle with Non-Hodgkins lymphoma and MDS. If you had been reading my blog since early spring you knew that he was spending more time in the hospital than out. His bone marrow transplant failed and he was transfusion dependent since late April. We tried another attempt at a "mini" transplant in July with cells frozen from his original donor but they did not engraft and thus on Aug 14 Jeffrey made the decision to come home on hospice. The Lord is full of mercy and Jeffrey died after only two days at home surrounded by "his girls". Jenny, Ella, Kristy and myself surrounded his bed as The Lord called him home. He made it obvious to us he was saying goodbye. Thank you Lord for that!! Now he no longer has to worry about PET scans, blood counts, transfusions or the constant pain that he had come to live with since June. My comfort comes in knowing that indeed he is in heaven, rejoicing and singing praises to our King. Still I am left with a huge whole in my life which I will have to learn to live with. I have two beautiful daughters, a son-in-law, and a granddaughter and many, many, good friends all of which all help me to get through each day. Below is the obituary as it read in Memory of my dear husband, Jeffrey.

 

 

A Celebration of Life

Aug 19, 2012 9:07 PM

Sunday Mornings Tulsa World Obituary:

Jeffrey Don Smith, Attending Radiologist with Diagnostic Imaging Associates, passed peacefully in his sleep Friday, August 17, 2012 at the age of 55 to his heavenly home. He was born in Nitro, West Virginia on February 7, 1957 to Tony and Geraldine Smith. He graduated from Marshall University in May of 1979 and West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine in 1983. He was called to serve in the U.S. Navy after completion of his internship until his discharge in 1987. He completed his residency at Botsford Hospital in MI followed by fellowship at the University of Arkansas 1992. He was an avid traveler, golfer and loved watching football. Jeffrey is survived by his loving wife of 31 years, Susan Burford Smith, daughter Jennifer Smith Kirkland and husband Jonathon Kirkland, daughter Kristina Lee Smith, and granddaughter Ella Lillian Kirkland. His life will be celebrated at Redeemer Covenant Church at 7pm Monday, August 20, 2012, a family visitation with follow the service. Donations may be made in memory of him to the Osteopathic Founders Foundation (918) 551-7300 and Caringbridge (www.caringbridge.org). An additional service to follow in Charleston, West Virginia on Friday August 31st. (Time to be announced)

Many of my friends have asked when I was going to return to blogging and my standard answer was, "I don't know....I guess when I feel I can". I flew to Minneapolis last week to spend time with Jenny, Jon and Ella. Jenny asked me to show her "Mom's group" how to make cinnamon rolls. I was excited to share my love of baking so I thought it would be fun to do. It is a great recipe to share on my blog. It gave my spirit a lift to think of teaching young moms such a wonderful skill as baking cinnamon rolls. I remembered back to when I was a young mom living in California and had to learn how to make bread dough without the help of my mom. A long time ago....but it brought back warm memories. There was a phrase I found shortly after Jeffrey's passing that has helped me so much.

"Don't cry because it's over. Smile because it Happened!!" When I think of those memories of early parenthood and "learning" all those homemaking skills I SMILE remembering. My college roommate even bought a magnet for my refrigerator with the saying printed in Bold letters so when I am really sad I can read it and SMILE not CRY!! Sometimes I do both!!

So tonight I made the dough and tomorrow we will roll it out, fill it, shape it and bake it. I will have lots of pictures and the complete directions so you too can fill the air in your home with the sweetest smells of cinnamon, butter and bread baking. I will be back tomorrow with the goods to prove it!!

Thanks to all of the many of you who have kept my family in your prayers for months. We have felt those prayers for strength and comfort. As I go through this valley I continue to seek the Lord's will in each and every day and in all that I do. Psalm 143:8 sums up my request.

Cause me to hear Thy lovingkindness in the morning; for in Thee do I Trust: cause me to know the way wherein I should walk; for I lift my soul unto Thee. Psalm 143:8

It is a new world for me, one that I did not plan, but The Lord doesn't make mistakes and he WILL show me the way through if I stay focused on HIM!!

Will be back tomorrow with Warm, delicious, ooey, gooey, Cinnamon Rolls!

Happy Trails,

Mtn Mama

 

Posted with Blogsy

Strawberry Shortcut Cake

Welcome to the Dog Days of Summer!!! Hello August 2012!!

It's good to be back!!! July was a mesh of hospital stays in three different hospitals for Jeff. We went to Baylor and got a "mini transplant" on July 19, 2012. I am so happy to say it is showing signs of working. He has made 900 white blood cells on his own. That's the most he has had since April. Thank you Lord for this blessing!! I am getting ready to bring him home today. We still have to return to the outpatient clinic everyday for blood counts and products as needed but at least he will be home at night. That is a blessing!!

If you are interested in the ongoing story of Jeff's battle go to www.caringbridge.org and under site name you can list: jeffreydsmith. That should get you the whole story!!! All I can say is it has been quite a journey and we are so thankful to all the medical staff who have done such a great job keeping him alive and to the donor for giving his life saving marrow and above all to the Great Physician who watches over everything and has given the cells the power to work at this time!!



It has been a long time since we last cooked together but I think it is time to make my Dad's favorite summertime dessert. This recipe can actually be made all year long because you can use frozen strawberries in it. It is a fun cake that everyone enjoys making and eating.

Strawberry Shortcut Cake

Ingredients:

1 cup mini marshmallows

2 cups frozen strawberrries

1 small 3 ounce pkg strawberry jello

2 1/4 cup flour

1 1/2 cup sugar

1/2 cup butter flavored Crisco

3 tsp baking powder

1/2 tsp salt

1 cup milk

1 tsp vanilla

3 eggs



Now we cook:

Grease 9 x 13 pan with cooking spray.

Sprinkle mini marchmallows evenly over the bottom of the greased pan.

Mix dry packet of jello with thawed strawberries

Combine following ingredients - flour, sugar, crisco, baking powder, salt, milk, and eggs.

Beat for 3 minutes

Add vanilla and stir into mixture

Pour mixture over marshmallows in pan evenly.

Spoon strawberry and jello mixture over the top of the batter.

Bake in 350 degree oven for 45 - 50 minutes. Until browned and golden on top.

The marshmallows rise during baking and you can see then on the top of the cake.

This cake is delicious warm served with whipped cream or ice cream. It is great cold straight from the pan. It is a very moist cake and I would reccommend keeping it in the fridg especially during the warmer days of summer.

Let me know how you like it!! A great cake to make with children!

Speaking of little ones....I just had to show you Miss Ella and her mama!11

Enjoy!

Happy Trails,

Mtn Mama