Hello All, now for a timely update from Kansas. First, upon arriving in Emporia, had a wonderful dinner with Aunt Augusta, Uncle Bill, Joyce, and Jim at the Emporia Country Club. I stayed at A. Augusta's place. Aunt Augusta looks really good, up and around, and we had a really good time. Similarly, Uncle Bill looked really good and we also had a good time. Each of them are just over 90. Bill is heading for Washington D.C. to complete an honors flight soon. The two of them are amazing and gives one hope! Joyce is understandably very worried about her husband Craig in Mayo Clinic. Now to Mother. She is clean, neat, and well cared for. I've been there twice so far, and I do not think she knows who I am. She is aware that someone is there who really cares for her and, for example, as I just held her hand today she responded with a faint smile and a little squeeze. She spoke on my Saturday visit to smile and say "thank you", and can express what she needs. I fed her that evening, and she only took about 4 bites of roast beef, similar amount of mashed potatoes with gravy, and a little bit of liquid. They told me that is typical, but her weight is stable at 105. After a couple of visits so far, I still do not know how long her journey will last, but it has clearly begun. Right now it is more mental than physical, in that the signs of withdrawing inward and the separating from this world has begun. She still has one foot in this world, but I feel the other foot is in the next. She has spoken "Aunt Minnie" even last week, my grand-father's sister who died just before I was born. There are other examples. The physical signs of separation from the body are not present. Her breathing is regular, her heart rate is regular, and there is no evidence of skin mottling. I do not need to get too graphic with too much detail, but her physical separation has not yet begun I do not believe. She does not take much in, however, and at the age of 90 yrs and 2 wks, once that happens her journey will be short. I have had a good talk with the hospice staff and we are on the same page: keep this little soul comfortable, do not add meds or increase any dosages. In fact, we will soon discontinue some of them. Right now, however, she is taking her medications without issue and so it is felt we will continue them (mostly) to maintain a status quo. A. Diane and I have been reviewing contents of boxes, old photos, birth certificates from the 1800s, original deeds, records, etc. We have had a long and colorful history in Lyon Co Kansas, and the Dickson name and Marx name is solid. We can be very proud of our ancestors, how they conducted themselves, their lives, their making successful families out the opportunities they were given. Maxine E Marx Dickson was no exception. Love to all, DAD/UR