Getting Ready to GO!

In loving memory of

Habiba Halima Osman Kroeker

January 20, 1940 - 

July 25, 2009

Devoted Mother, Grandmother, Sister, and Faithful Friend

Joshua 24:15

It's Sunday, March 7, 2010 -- I am preparing for the Wednesday morning departure to Washington, D.C. - Johannesburg - Malawi. I am going to spend Thursday and Friday in Jo'Burg at the Klip-Els Guest Lodge, then spend Friday night with my cousin, Shareen Osman. Catching a two-hour flight on South African Airlines to Malawi on Saturday morning, March 13 and returning to Seattle on April 29.

The purpose of this trip is to bring my mom's ashes home to Malawi, where she will be buried in the family cemetery in the small town of Balaka, where she was born. She passed away on July 25, 2009 from heart failure due to uncontrollable high blood pressure. She struggled with a variety of physical ailments including cancer, arthritis, and HBP (to name a few) most of her adult life. She worked very hard at taking care of her health and I believe she extended her life by many years because of her healthy lifestyle choices. Even though she was often in pain, she dedicated her life and put considerable energy toward her ministry work and her friendships. She was a devoted and gifted caregiver to her grandchildren and her clients at United Cerebral Palsy. She was the center of our nuclear family and even though she was conservative and strict, raised her four children with love and the values she brought from her homeland

-- God, good food, and laughter.

As she got older and continued to struggle with her health, she longed for the fulfillment of her religious beliefs and the promise from God that she will live in "Paradise" with Jesus without pain. She longed for her loved ones that had passed away, especially her mother and father whom she loved very much. Over the last few years, she seemed to know that the end of her life was imminent and often commented, "I won't be around much longer." She was fearless until the end...because she knew it wasn't the end at all.

I still can't believe she is gone and our family in Malawi is also in shock and haven't fully processed her passing as it was so sudden and unexpected. She literally spent a full day busy and active, came home, made a cup of tea, sat in her easy chair and passed away before drinking her tea. In our conversations and in her Will, she did not ask for a tribute, a grave, or even a funeral. So why am I and my family taking her ashes to Malawi and formally laying her to rest?

These efforts are solely for the comfort of the family. I know it will help all of us feel better.

I am going to Africa in three days, but this all seems surreal because I am not ready... I haven't finished packing and still have to clean my house! An additional stressor is the health of my 21 year old cat, Bill, who appears to be on his last leg. He has high blood pressure, failing kidneys, and an undiagnosed respiratory problem which has come to a head in the last week.

The cat-sitter pulled out at the last minute because he was too ill. I am so grateful that his vet, Dr. White, has offered to take care of him for me at her home/clinic. She has warned me that he may not make it until I get back; therefore, Bill and I are spending a lot of time together right now cuddling and napping. Another reason I'm not getting things done.

Thank you all for supporting me and my family thus far and please keep us in your prayers so that we can find peace and healing together, both in the U.S. and Malawi, during this time of reflection. Help us accept what cannot be changed and to have faith in God's plan which is beautiful, loving, and perfect!

Love you all!

J