Ruth Smith Writings

Hello everyone,

     Ruth’s obituary appeared Thursday in the Akron-Beacon Journal and the Cleveland Plain Dealer.

     As promised in my last entry, here are the memorial service details and also where you can send memorial contributions.

     The memorial service will be held Saturday, July 11 at 11:00 A.M. at the United Church of Christ in Kent, OH.  Memorial contributions may be made to :  RMH Foundation-Visiting Nurse-Hospice, PO Box 1204, Ravenna, OH 44266-1204. 

     I’m sure I will be meeting some of you at the service next weekend. 

                                                                                                                    Love, Karen

Hello everyone,

     It is with a broken heart that I’m writing to tell you that my beautiful sister Ruth passed away peacefully Thursday morning (June 25) at 11:30 a.m. at Robinson Memorial Hospital in Ravenna, OH  with Dave, my brother Tom and my mom at her side.  They said she took a last breath and died with a peaceful smile on her face.

     She faced this cancer battle the last 6 months the way she faced everything else in her life,  meeting it head-on and with a sense of humor.  This was still evident even last weekend when we visited and she was still able to talk and laugh a little.

     Because her wish was to be cremated, we will have a memorial/celebration service of her life after the July 4th holiday, on Saturday, July 11th at her church in Kent.  I will know more details later, but in  lieu of flowers, Dave told Mom that donations to the wonderful hospice program that helped them through all this the past few days would be welcome.  I’ll get addresses and more details in the next few days.

     Thank you again for your prayers, cards, visits, meals and keeping up with her blog these past months.  Ruth, and in turn, all of us gained strength because of you.                                                Love, Karen

     I’ll let you know more soon.  Dave and Laura are doing fine.  Love, Karen

Hello again everyone,

     In rereading last nights entry on Ruth’s blog, I realized I left something out that I thought you’d enjoy.

     As I told you, we visited Ruth in the hospital last Friday.  Late Friday morning a lady who brings her dog “Jessie” to the hospital to visit patients, stopped in Ruth’s room.  Jessie is the cutest, calmest little cocker spaniel with long, soft furry ears and big brown eyes.  Her owner brought her to the side of the bed and let Ruth pet her and talk to her.  What great medicine this is!  And of course, I had to pet and talk to Jessie too. 

     The lady who offers this service has two dogs she brings to Robinson to cheer patients (and their visitors!).  They are so cute, very “patient friendly” and Jessie really brightened our day.

     I’ll post more later.   Love, Karen

Hello everyone,

     This is Karen again and with Ruth’s ok, back on her blog to finally update everyone.

     My husband Dean and I went to Westlake, OH on Thursday.  We stayed with my mom, then we all went to Ravenna to spend most of the day Friday with Ruth at Robinson Memorial Hospital in Ravenna.  She is there again after being dismissed from the Altercare Rehab facility last week.

    We walked into her room, her still big blue eyes lit up when she saw Dean and me and said “Look at you guys!” She was a little groggy from medications, but was ready for lunch. I called in her order:  egg salad on wheat, potato chips,fresh grapes, ginger ale and coffee!  As you can see, she still has an appeitite and enjoys her meals.  The dieticians are urging her to eat to keep her strength up.  I assisted her a little with her lunch, as her arms are a bit weak and she ate a little bit of everything.

     I told her I’d keep her blog up, so I sat beside her and asked what she wanted me to tell all of you, so here it is:  first and foremost,  her goal, with the help of the rehab experts,  is to try and get out of bed when possible to regain use of her legs.  They sit her up with the goal of getting her move a bit.  This is painful, but she is pretty determined, as usual!  She can move her left leg, and excercises that in bed. 

    Laura visits every other day and Ruth says is still the “social butterfly”, going out to dinner with her friends,  running track with Special Olympics, seeing movies etc.  She is also starting work again next week at Kent State U. in the work transistion program with a variety of jobs.  (After lunch, Ruth needed to sleep a little,  so Dave, Laura, Dean, Mom and I went out to lunch and had a great visit, so I got a chance to talk to Laura and she is doing fine).

     Ruth also says to tell you she’s enjoying her IPod.  She’s enjoying some classical Bach and Diana Krall CD’s so we talked about these for awhile.  I took her Barbra Streisand’s movie theme album, which Ruth hasn’t heard.  She wanted me to load that one in the IPod before we left.  She says she relaxes to the music and thinks about what she wants to write on this blog when she can.  She hates TV and has two in her room!  (I think she’s probably on to something).

     I told her Dean and I went to see the new”Star Trek” prequel last week.  Ruth, still a fan of the original TV show and the movies with the original cast wanted to hear about it, so I told her about the characters and how fun the movie was.  I told her the DVD can’t be far behind so she could see it.  I also updated her on our theatre productions down here in southern Indiana.

     Ruth is also excited about the second printing, that’s right, second printing of her book “Laura’ Mom Learns”!  If you don’t have a copy yet or would like to order it for someone else, you can get all the information on the opening page of this blog.  She is very proud of this project, as she should be, and it so grateful to everyone who has bought a copy and/or read her essays.

    When we went back to the hospital, she ordered dinner:  a hot dog, cottage cheese,  a protein “shake” and ate quite a bit.  Then this wonderful nurse asked how a popsicle sounded, and Ruth ate most of a grape one.

     We had some more time to talk before she fell asleep again.  She said “Dave’s the best.  He is wonderful”.  (And we as a family couldn’t agree more.  He’s been fantastic through this whole ordeal from organization of the house and Laura’s schedule to being there with Ruth every step of the way.  Their friends and family have also been wonderful and offer so much support and love).   

    When we were talking about Laura and all her activities, Ruth said “I’m so proud of her”.  I told her that’s the result of great parenting by her and Dave!

    Ruth told me to tell you at this point, between talking with doctors, social workers, rehab experts, etc. that it’s still onward and upward, day-by-day, but she’d sure like to get out of the hospital and get back home down the road in Kent.  

     Ruth knows all of you are thinking about her and still praying for her, Dave and Laura.   Please keep posting your comments here or e-mailing her.  Dave’s Aunt Dee Dee prints them out, goes to the hospital and reads them all to Ruth.  This really picks her spirits up.

     I will keep you informed here and thanks again to all of you for supporting my beautiful sister.                   Love, Karen

Hello everyone,

     Ruth was in Pittsburgh yesterday and they did one cyber-knife procedure on a brain lesion.  I talked with her tonight and she told me she had a slight seizure while there,  so the experts there advised the third one not be done.

   Ruth and Dave came back to Ohio Tuesday afternoon and she is now in the new Altercare Post-Acute Rehabilitation Center is Brimfield, Oh (just a few minutes away from Kent).  She is there so the therapists can start working with her on her legs, which seem to be improving.

     Let me assure you that her speech is clear, she’s eating, asked how my husband and I are doing and she told me to keep up her blog to inform all of you what’s going on. 

     She is understandably frustrated with all she’s experiencing right now, but her therapy continues and we’ll go from here.

     They’re not sure how long she needs to be in Brimfield, but hopefully she can go home soon and I’ll let you know every day or two what’s happening.

     Just continue with your comments here, or send your cards and thoughts to her home address in Kent.  Dave will make sure she gets them!

    Ruth knows just how concerned everyone is and continues to be strengthened by your thoughts and prayers.

     I’ll be back here on the blog soon.  Love, Karen

Hello everyone,

     I just got word this evening from our mom that Ruth’s legs are a lot better today, they dismissed her from Robinson Memorial in Ravenna and she and Dave are now at the Fairfield Inn in Pittsburgh for a cyber-knife treatment tomorrow morning (Tuesday) and her final one on Wednesday, then they’re heading back home to Kent…how’s this for a long-winded sentence?

     We are so grateful that she’s well enough to make this trip again.  Her legs were giving her a lot of problems the past week, but I know she was getting some therapy and they were able to put elastic stockings on finally.  This should help also. 

     I’m sure they’ll be tired when they get back Wednesday, so instead of phone calls or visits that day, I will keep you posted here.

     My cutie niece Laura is with her Grandma Laverne in Kent and is doing fine.

     Your prayers and concern help us each day, but especially Ruth, Dave and Laura  during this tough time.   Her resiliancy amazes us and just when I feel like crying for her, it’s another “thumbs up”, “moving forward” moment for Ruth and Dave

     I will keep you informed.   Love, Karen

Dance Divas

Laura's Spring Dress

Hello everyone,

     This is Karen with an update.

     Ruth had her first ‘cyber-knife’ treatment last Monday in Pittsburgh and came through just fine, although she was very tired, but came home the same day.  She will need two more at different intervals.

    She wants me to tell you all that she had to go back to Robinson Memorial Hospital in Ravenna, OH  Sunday, as her legs are very swollen and the skin was starting to get infected.  She also redeveloped some clotting.  They have her on antibiotics for the infection, some blood transfusions and are adjusting medication.  She is also working with a physical therapist who is helping her move around a little, although this is painful at times.

     Now, in saying all that, I talked with her tonight on the phone and she is feeling better, resting comfortably, enjoys ordering and eating her meals (unlike the last time she was in the hospital!), visiting with people, and listening to all her music CD’s she hasn’t heard for awhile:  Moody Blues (remember them?), the American crooners, Peter, Paul and Mary, Barbra, etc.  She is enjoying her time resting and listening to these.   Of course,  Laura’s visits lift her spirits and her drawings have decorated Ruth’s room!   (Note the pictures Ruth took and wanted me to send on the blog..Laura in her spring dress before helping at the high school prom a couple of weeks ago, and looking jazzy in her dance recital costume.  If this isn’t “Dancing with the Stars” I don’t know what is!) Ruth says she’s also sleeping well every night.

     A lot of company, especially all at once, can tire her out right now, but if you would continue to write on this blog, she’ll enjoy those when she gets home (or someone can print them for her) or you can send cards and notes to their Kent home address, Dave will  make sure she gets them.

     Ruth loves all of you and thinks about you all the time.   She says this journey is hard, but you all know Ruth.  She still has  amazing strength, perserverance and continues to “move forward” and enjoy life.  The goal now is improving her legs and getting back to Pittsburgh for a second treatment. 

   Ruth says to tell you all that she knows you’re thinking about her, are concerned and praying for her and she hopes to be back at the blog soon.

   I’ll keep you informed every couple of days here and Ruth hopes you enjoy the pictures of Laura!

                                                                                            Love, Karen

For two weeks I have been struggling with fear that has overwhelmed and paralyzed me. It has brought to mind how evil can overtake the power of god and love, and I am praying like the dickens to find hope and strength to always have god with me.

Moving from the commode to and from bed has reqired a lot strength from my husband, and it has fretted me terribly. plus I’ve had several falls that have stopped me dead in my tracks. But then, blessings happen and all of sudden, I realize is god is there, and I ask forgiveness for even doubting.

Caroline, a wonderful case worker at Robinson (she’s the one on the billboards!) showed us that by lifting the legs to our portable commode, the extra length has given just the leverage needed to make the task so much easier - the same with getting in the wheelchair to the car as well. It is a relief of fear. It  is a blessing.

As I pray my daily prayers, I praise God for solutions, for people who care, and to never take one good thing for granted in this journeyGod has launched me on.

God bless all you!

Hi everyone,

     This is Ruth’s sister Karen back on her blog.  She asked me to post a couple of notes on her progress tonight.

    Ruth, Dave and their good friend Kathy (who drove), went to Pittsburgh again today (the last time was in March).  Ruth went back to see the doctors at the university there and they put her through a bunch more tests and scans to see where to go from here with this fairly new and innovative “cyber-knife” procedure.  She asked me to tell you that it will take about a week for the experts there to study today’s results and then more decisions will be made on her treatment.  She is so much stronger, able to enjoy music, eating, conversation and her sense of  humor is intact.  She also has such wonderful friends.

     I spent several days with Ruth, Dave, Laura and my mom in Kent a couple of weeks ago, and as you can see in the pictures Ruth posted, we had a good time!   I can tell you that her speech has fully returned, her right arm is back functioning (no more therapy for this) and she’s enjoying the good food people are bringing over (and so did I!).  We enjoyed the Barbra Streisand concert on CBS when I visited (Ruth and I will always be huge fans and were glad Barbra consented to air her concert on TV that night). We also went out to dinner at Bob Evans one everning…Ruth had a hankering for the beef tips and noodles dinner).

    Ruth sounded really good tonight.  She and Laura just finished some ice cream and Laura told me all about her karoke this past weekend at the high school where she and some friends were asked to help out at the prom.  She got up and sang “Summer Lovin’ had me a blast…” from “Grease”.  I sure enjoyed visiting my niece too…she’s such a great young lady and makes me laugh a lot!  And of course, my super brother-in-law David has everything running so smoothly and he and Laura have enjoyed some Kent State and Indian’s baseball games with friends.

     Thanks to all who are continuing to write on this site.  Ruth loves all the responses.  She told me to tell you she is working on another essay and hopes to post it here soon.

                                                                                                        Love, Karen

Smith, R. K. (2005, August 2). Letting go of everything but the memory. Cleveland Plain

Dealer, B7.

My elementary school building in Lakewood is to be torn down. My initial reaction was sadness. Like most, I tend to cling to the comfort of the way things were and resist any change that disrupts the status quo of life’s memories.

Buildings evoke such strong feelings. Many of my contemporaries still bemoan the fact that their parents sold the family home - even though we are in our fifties and haven’t lived in those homes for decades! I feel myself having the same thoughts about Hayes Elementary School, while at the same time knowing the building has outlived its usefulness and change is long past due.

I loved school as a kid, and because I was the type of child who also loved order and routine, Hayes was the perfect place. Lines were the name of the game at Hayes - they were formed for every class journey - out for recess, down to the “lavatories,” home for lunch (no one ate lunch at school - there were no cafeteria facilities at all!), and to assemblies.

Loud talking was taboo as were taking steps two at a time and running in the hallways. And what hallways they were! Wide, with glass block in the second story floor to let light through, and tile shiny with institutional wax - just right for sliding, in those rare moments when one could get away with it.

Instead of lockers in the hallways, Hayes had a cloakroom in every classroom - sort of an academic walk-in closet. It had hooks on both sides for coats, shelves for projects, plenty of floor space for boots, and storage room for classroom supplies. I didn’t realize then how absolutely decadent a cloakroom was! Nowadays, every available square foot in public schools is utilized and maximized to the hilt - cloakrooms were banished in favor of expanding classroom space.

My time at Hayes was during the years when I-90 was mapped out on engineers’ drafting tables. Houses were demolished within the east/west corridor that runs along Lakewood’s southern border. Hayes backs up to the highway, and we saw and experienced the devastation that tearing down buildings and homes has on the landscape, families, and community.

Many people had to move out of the Hayes district and as a result, friends since kindergarten were no longer a part of our lives or neighborhoods. Beautiful old homes were torn down and to this day, the pain of that destruction is still felt by many. Unfair as it may seem, I can’t help but compare that long ago step of progress to this new one.

I know a new school is needed. Children deserve the best we can give them and the old Hayes School, circa 1920, like many others in Lakewood, is just plain worn out. Lakewood officials have mapped out a logical plan for the district and are being good stewards of their resources. I applaud them.

It’s time to shake off the old and marshal in the new, much like purging a closet of beloved clothes and objects from another time in life. Watching familiar things being carried away may be unsettling, but as years go by, I find that letting go of objects from the past often leads to lightness, freedom, and an exhilaration about the future.

I hope I have the chance to visit Hayes once more before it is torn down. My memories of that building are inextricably tied to those precious years of learning, growing, and playing. The building may be soon gone, but oh, those memories are here to stay.