Emilee was unresponsive today (except for two “uh-uhs” when she didn’t want something). She is slipping away rather quickly. Most the day was a mixture of tears with small moments of laughter as we as family members worked together and embraced the sweet spirit in her room.
The hospice nurses and health aides have been stopping in and working to keep Emilee comfortable. She mostly communicates that she is in pain and we are working hard to relieve that. Please keep praying for pain relief for her.
In case you didn’t know, Emilee is an incredible scrap booker. Her mother got her on a good path by keeping memory books since she was born. Emilee has stayed in the habit and has left over 20 big thick books of scrapbooking memories of her and her family. Your comments, memories, and favorite stories will continue in one of her scrapbooks to be kept for her children and grandchildren to see. Please keep the messages coming for David and the boys and share any experiences or stories you would like to. Emilee’s parents express thanks for the kind messages, flowers, meals, etc. that have been coming it. It has really touched them.
I’m putting together a memory video with photos of Emilee through her lifetime. If you have any photos of Emilee you would like to submit, please send them to jkilstrom@gmail.com. I can’t guarantee they will get in the video, but I will try. --Jennie Kilstrom
.JPG)
About Me
- Emilee Ellis
- Read my cancer history on my first entry to this blog (end of September.)
David and Emilee
We've been married since 1992
My three boys
Nathan, Jonny and Brenton
Ellis Family - December 2008
I want you to see how I look in my wig. I wear it mostly when I go out.
29 comments:
Emilee, I sure do love you, we all do, and we will miss you, our angel.
Thank you for the update...I keep checking. You are all in my heart and prayers. It is so hard to go through this experience, but on the other side is peace. May you walk with your hand in the Lords and have the constant companionship of the Holy Ghost. I am thankful for Emilee's sweet example in my life. For her friendship, and always cheerful spirit. We had some fun times going to the temple together. That will be a wonderful place to think of her now.
The Lord created Emilee, with a special eternal spark that some of us leave behind, or keep hidden. She loves life, and she lived it well. She loves the gospel, and I know it has strengthened her through these toughest trials and afflictions. She loves her family, and I know having you all there is her greatest joy.
I do pray, that she will be released from this pain. I know that through it all, she will have a better understanding of the atonement and love for our Savior. It is through His love, sacrifice, and eternal purpose, that you can be reunited with her in joy someday as an eternal family having overcome mortality together.
May her sweet example remind us all to live a Christlike life so that we to can be with her at the feet of our Savior someday.
All my love, faith and prayers are with you this night,
Rebecca
Emilee, I was teaching my CTR 8 class about the priesthood on Sunday, and all I could think of was you. I'm so thrilled you have a man like David, but also that you've brought three beautiful future priesthood holders into this world. You are so loved. We pray for you.
~Matt and Maggie
Emilee~
Even though I am a "new"' neighbor, I have been so blessed to know you. I am grateful that you took the time to reach out to me, to ask me about my hobbies and interests. Even when you were hurting, and not feeling your best, you always have had a smiling face and soft voice. I remember when I took you to Smiths, and feeling so proud of you when you handed out the article from the Daily Herald to the cashiers and bank tellers. They know you by name, and I know why they do! You radiate the light of Christ. The way you speak of your children, your husband..your family. I know you love them so much. And you can continue to watch over them with the knowledge of eternal life and a FOREVER family. I know these things have comforted you, even when the fear came through but for a small moment.
I appreciate you showing me your beautiful scrapbooks, and telling me the stories behind them. You truly are gifted, and I saw the pride in your eyes as you reminisced about each picture. Your family will treasure those books.
I promise that I will be a good neighbor to your boys. I know you worry about them..for when you leave this earth. We will help watch over them. Many will.
As I watch the cars park in front of your house, see those walk to your house, I am praying for their comfort, as well as for yours. I see your Dad and Mom outside, and want to say " You are so good, and strong, and I admire you."
I want to touch your brow, and tell you you are loved, but I feel you already know that. You are such a beautiful daughter of a knowing,loving Father in Heaven.
Thanks Emilee for teaching, and loving, and bringing people closer to each other, and closer to the Lord. Godspeed my friend.Godspeed.
~Christi Gudmundson
Dear Emilee and David, Just want you to know you're my heroes. May Heavenly Father fill you both with peace and rest, and may you both be comforted as Emilee prepares to return "home" - Love, Danese
Emilee, I just discovered your blog from your dad's facebook. I just wanted to let you know I am thinking of you. I remember when you taught me piano lessons years ago. I sure wish I had continued them. I've been saying someday I'll take lessons again someday. May God bless you and you family.
Emilee - I have found memories of you from girls camp many, many years ago. Your family has been a wonderful blessing to my family over the years. I am praying for you all at this time adn thankful we have the gospel truth to grasp on to.
Amy Baird-Basalusalu
Brother and Sister Dolberg,
Please be aware that there are tearful petitions being offered for you as parents. A Mom and Dad saying good-bye to their 'little girl' is beyond heart-wrenching for me; even knowing that you are really just saying "We'll see you later". Thank you both for Emilee and the inspiring person that she is. We are all more 'of one heart and one mind' because of her.
May Christ our Savior calm and comfort you,
Brother Ivins
Hi, I have had the GREAT opportunity to meet this amazing lady and family yesterday and today as I have been one of the Hospice nurses to take care of Emilee. I am amazed at the love that this family has for each other and for Emilee. I am so honored to be helping them in this very emotional time. I can see the light that is with this sweet family, her husband David, her sweet 3 boys, and her dear mother. Thank you for letting me be a small part and being uplifted from you all. My prayers and thoughts are with you all at this very hard time. Sincerely, Amy
Having a hard time sleeping, thinking about our Emilee. I just want to voice how much I will miss reading her blogs, as I looked forward to hearing from her nearly every day on them, and of course how much I will miss HER.
Dearest Emilee, Family, & Friends,
Last night the hospice nurse installed some final pain-relief equipment.
Although the early evening was disturbed by numerous interruptions, David was finally able to bring some peace to the family.
The crowning moment came when we all (except for Jonathan and the dog) joined at the foot of Emilee's bed while David pronounced one of the most perfect, one of the most pure and simple prayers that has ever been spoken by man.
We all felt the Divine Presence of Heaven by the end of the prayer. There had been no vain repetitions, no stutterings, no pompous ceremony - only pure LOVE for Emilee and for our Savior whose comforting Presence filled the room.
We THANK our Heavenly Father for sending the many ANGELS who are ready and able to help in times of distress for their utter goodness and we plead with Him to help us if we slip in any way when we react to others who may not be very sensitive. We all strive to do our best under these heavy pressures.
Always LOVE to and for our Emilee - and always LOVE to & for ALL of you who kindly overlook our faults and help us as we try to do our best -
from Emilee's DAD
Emilee and David, We want you to know that our thoughts and prayers are with you constantly. Thank you for the precious time we had with you last Saturday. What a beautiful spirit we felt at Emilee's bedside! We weep for the pain that we know Emilee is experiencing. Our hearts are broken for those of you who are caring for her and enduring her pain. You are truly giving the most Christ-like service to suffer with Emilee and carry this precious burden. We have great faith that the Lord will soon bring relief and provide Emilee with that sweet joy of release from her earthly pains and sorrows. David, we are so impressed with the way you are leading your family through this difficult challenge. We love you and the boys and pray that the Lord will continue to carry you.
All of our memories of Emilee are connected with family gatherings and dinners or visits to each others homes. We have enjoyed many good times together. We loved the scrapbooking that Emilee would do. Particularly, some she did for Grandma Hovey's 80th Birthday Party. We remember her beautiful music as she played the piano. Grandma Hovey loved to listen to Emilee's music, especially when she would play the piano at Barton Creek for her. We know Emilee's grandparents are eagerly awaiting her, but we also are very sure that Grandma Hovey will be there too. She loved Emilee so much and was so concerned about her cancer. Emilee has given us another precious memory and example, that of smiling through pain, fighting against all odds and sweetly enduring through difficult challenges.
We love you Emilee and David, Brenton, Jonny, Nathan, Bonnie and Glen, and Elaine and Len. Thank you for your sweet and loving service to Emilee. Please know that our prayers and thoughts are with you constantly today and in the trying days ahead. Love, David, Lorene, Joseph, Emmelene and Bethany Hovey
David, Emilee and boys -
You continue to be in our prayers and we put your whole family's names in the temple each week. You are part of our ward family and we are all feeling the sadness and wishing to help in some way. We love you all and are so grateful for you being part of our lives.
Love the Wahlquist Family
Emilee,
Thank you for letting me serve you - it has touched me so profoundly. The lessons I have learned by watching you live with faith, grace, and happiness are lessons I will keep in my heart forever. I never saw you without a smile. What an amazing mother & wife you are! David, anytime your youngest son needs a play-date he is always welcome to come play with my son. You just give me a ring and I'll come get him! Emilee, we love you and will continue praying for you and your beautiful family.
Much love,
Lesleigh Ross
Dear Ellis family and the Dolberg family, I appreciate the sharing and outpouring of love I have read about on Emilee's blog. Thankyou for the inspiration! It is a testimony to me how Christ's love heals, comforts and helps us through, and to overcome the trials and challenges of this world. May God continue to bless you and keep you.
With love, the Proctors
As Emilee's earthly mission nears completion, All the Baer family thanks her for her example of love and kindness and for her dedication to the church and her family.
Last night as I pondered, I felt that angels were near and that soon as she slips through the veil she will be free from the extreme pains and difficulties that have punctuated her life during these past months.
I pray that you all take pause and feel the solemnity of the moment and that it might remind you that life goes on, and that even though Emilee passes from our sphere, she will be engaged in a vital work in the next life.
We pray for comfort for all the family. We pray for a joyful reunion with her loved ones who have preceded her to the spirit world.
God bless all who have helped to bless Emilee's life.
Love to all
Ron Baer and family
Emilee,
You have always been in our prayers. Your mission on earth has come to a time of transer to a new area on the other side of the Veil where you will be free of pain and able to use the wonderful talents you developed on this side of the Veil to further the Lord's work on the other side. It is so hard to see you go through so much pain and anguish but we know that you will find peace. We pray for David and your wonderful family at this difficult time. We wish we could be there to express these wishes and feelings in person. May the Lord be with you and your family always,
Love,
Uncle Steven and Aunt Judy
Emilee and David,
Your family is in our hearts and our prayers and has been. We love you guys!
I wish I could be there to give you all a big hug!
David I remember our days at BYU and our double dates. I'll never forget running into you and Emilee on one of your first dates together. I could tell from them that this one was different. It was so fun being at BYU together while dating our future spouses, (along with Lori "dating" David with her talk tapes. Who knew a relationship could come so far with just tapes;)! I wouldn't have wanted to share that time in my life with any one else.
Your family has been an awesome example to all of us of bearing your trials with faith and humility. Accepting the Lord's will but always having hope and accepting and acknowledging the Lord's attempts to bless you during this difficult time. I only pray that we will have the ability to bear whatever trials come in our life with such tenacity and faith. We love you and your family!
Love,
Jeff, Christine, Taylor, Jacob and Ashley
I'm sitting here reading the latest blog entries and am struck that when I should be feeling intense sadness, my feeling are buoyed up with thoughts of Emilee. I can only remember ever feeling happy around Emilee.
Emilee is a vibrant woman who lives life to the fullest. I remember she and David were some of the first people we met when we moved here. They kindly invited us over for dessert and from that day forward we were their friends.
She sees only the good and lives life in search of that. When I think of Emilee I think of a woman who is intense and intelligent as well as creative and talented. She challenges herself in everything she does. We shared stamping and scrapbook parties. Reading groups and watching the very talented Ellis children as they continue to grow.
Emilee reminds me of the last lines of the Dylan Thomas poem. "Do not go gentle into that good night. Rage, rage against the dying of the light."
Emilee always looks to the light finding the goodness in everything and everyone.
David and Emilee,
Although I never met you Emilee, I feel that I know you from your blog and also the few emails we passed back and forth. You are truly an inspiration to me- and I can very much see how it is that David fell in love with you. I know that our Heavenly Father will have you in good hands until it is time for the rest of your family to join you.
David, I was talking with my mom the other day, and my husband Bill asked me who we were talking about, and when I was explaining how I knew you, he said, oh yeah, we went to their house in CA and we signed their guest book- the one at your parents house.
I cannot imagine your struggles right now, but my thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. I wish there was something I could do to help out, but just know that my families thoughts and prayers are with you. My heart grieves when I think about losing a member of my family, so I can't imagine the pain YOU are going through at this time as well as the very physical pain that Emilee is in. I do know our Father in Heaven lives, and loves us, and I know the principle of Eternal Families is true. I do have a testimony of this gospel, and I can see that your beautiful wife did as well, I hope and pray that you will be sustained through this trial.
Michelle Fauver and family
( Mike and Helene Rudolph, and Steve and Lynn Rudolph too)
Emilee and Family, I am so sorry to hear about the challenges you have been going through. I have very fond memories of you Emilee from our childhoods and the old "4th Ward". You were such a good example to all of us. Your Faith and love for your Savior was very evident even as a youngster. I know that I am a better person today because of the example you set. If your boys read this, I hope they know what a great influence you had in many lives for good. I pray that you and your family will be at peace and that you will always feel the Love of our Savior. God Speed Emilee.....Until We Meet Again!
Justin Redfearn
I am standing on the seashore. A ship at my side spreads her white sails to the morning breeze,and starts for the blue ocean. She is an object of beauty, and strength, and I stand to watch her until, at length she hangs like a speck of white cloud where the sea and sky come to mingle as one. Then someone at my side says " She's gone." Gone where? Gone from my sight, that is all. And just at that moment, there are other eyes watching her coming, and other voices are waiting to take the glad shout..... " She's here, She's here!"
I do not know who the author is of this beautiful poem, but it touched me so deeply when I lost a dear friend in August to the same cancer as Emilee. She was 38. I was struck deeply by what Emilee's Dad said about the prayer offered by David last night. I just really am humbled and honored that you all would share these things with all of us. I am crying with you, knowing that the loss of Emilee will be devastating to those left behind on earth. I know her body is tired. So very tired. May you feel the loving arms of your Eldest Brother, even Jesus Christ envelop you all.
Christi
Emilee, You and your family have been such a tower of strength. My testimony of our Heavenly Father's love has grown through observing your experience. It brings back so many memories of when my sweet grandmother had cancer as well. Her progression was quite similar to yours. I have always been amazed by your musical talents. She (my grandmother) loved to sing and play the piano as well. We have an easter lily planted in our backyard. Each year when it blooms, I will think of you and your love of lilies. They remind me of you: pure and beautiful. You have set an amazing example for this ward to follow; of growing closer to Christ and the power that comes through His Atonement. We sure do love you and your sweet family!! Our prayers are with you; and may the Holy Spirit comfort you through this trying time. We will cherish the wonderful memories we have of you and your family.
Our love to you all,
Bill and Jenny Coulam and family
My dear sweet Emilee,
What an inspiration you are to us all. Your sweet husband and wonderful boys are so truly blessed to have you in their lives, as we all are.
I know Heavenly Father is with you and watching over you. You and your family are in our thoughts and prayers.
I love you forever and ever.
Love Julie (fisher) Chesley
David. I love your family and I have this powerful image of you all.
I'm in tears.
But I do know this. The fact that Emilee made such a beautiful family with YOU, I can be assured she lived as close to Heaven as ANYONE can possibly do from this Earth.
Her transition and travel to our Heavenly Father's paradise will be swift.
David, my condolence, my prayers, and happy thoughts go out to you and your family.
Hi Emilee,
My name is Sofia and I am a friend of your mom and dad's;they are great folks so I know you are a very special person. I work in the SUSD and have known your dad since he served as one of our most contributing board members. I totally respect him.You have a wonderful family .My prayers have been with you for a long time and I will continue to have you in my thoughts every day.
I am in a state a of reverence as I have just finished reading so many dear thoughts concerning Emilee and her family on this blog. I feel the same as many of you who have known Emilee. She was a young girl of about 13 when we first moved to Stockton and moved into her family's ward. Later I became one of her young women's leaders and became better acquainted with Emilee and all of her many talents. Emily is one of those people who has lived her life as if the Savior was right there walking beside her. She has a natural gift to love people unconditionally and make them feel needed and valued. To Glen and Bonnie - our hearts here in Stockton go out to you. We wish we could envelope you in our arms and offer comfort to you and your family as you face this next step. From reading this blog we are comforted in the knowledge that there are so many people there watching over you and Emilee and taking such good care of you all. I know our Heavenly Father is mindful of this tender time in all of your lives. Know that we love you and pray for you all and pray that the sweet peace of our Heavenly Father's love penetrates deep within your hearts.
Emilee,
Karla and I had a good cry for you and your family tonight. We pray for your comfort. Memories of your smile and sweet disposition were brought to our rememberances. Please say hi to dad, grandma and grandpa for me.
Love,
John
Post a Comment