A Great Loss

He was a romantic at heart. He loved music. Especially the country classics, disco funk, and sappy love songs. He loved to tell stories, recite poetry and read. He loved movies, especially ones with pretty blondes. He loved to sit around with family and reminisce about the good ole days. He was a proud father of three and grandfather to seven. He was my father-in-law. I can't believe he is gone.

Rick Schnelle passed away this afternoon after succumbing to the septic infection that took over his body. It is a tremendous loss to our family but a great relief for Rick who suffered with terrible chronic pain for the last several years of his life. He died surrounded by his family who had to make the unfathomable decision to ease his suffering.

It will be a tough road ahead while we grieve. I can't imagine the sorrow that comes with losing a parent. I for one am heartbroken. Perhaps the greatest tragedy is that Mia will never know her grandfather as the other grandchildren knew him. But I am so thankful that he was able to enjoy her with the little time he had. She will know what a wonderful man he was.

Goodbye Poppy, we love you.

When life throws you curve balls

I have to admit I have been pretty uninspired and unmotivated when it comes to blogging lately.


Things have been really busy in the Schnelle household. We played host to an array of visitors and I wrapped up an intense 6 week summer semester. We emerged from the last few weeks feeling quite overwhelmed. Seems everything is so behind - laundry, house cleaning, yard work, general maintenance, I could go on and on. We are spinning our wheels to try and keep up. And then, life threw us a major curve ball.


Two weeks ago Gabe's Dad, Rick, was admitted into the hospital to undergo some intense rehab on his ailing back. Those who know Rick knows that he suffers from terrible arthritis pain from a severe case of scoliosis as well as a new ailment - spinostenosis. After a few days in the hospital, he was to be transferred to a rehab facility where he would stay for a few weeks and continue intense therapy. However, sometime during the night last Tuesday, Rick became deathly ill and was unresponsive Wednesday morning. Gabe rushed to Springfield to be by his side. It turned out that Rick had developed a severe septic infection. Things looked very dire. After several agonizing hours, the family decided to have doctors go in surgically to find the problem where they removed 18 inches of dead colon. The sepsis seems to have subsided but he still struggles to recover.


Gabe, Mia and I spent the weekend in Springfield so that Gabe could be at his bedside as much as possible. We feared he may not make it through the weekend. Miraculously, things began to look a bit better and we have since returned home, but there is a possibility of a new infection that has us worried. Gabe drove back down to Springfield this evenng and we are waiting for news from the doctor. It is tough for me as a wife not to be with my husband and his family during his time of need. It is very hard to watch helpless from the sidelines. All I can do right now is take care of Mia and pray for the best.

Thanks to all for the prayers and well wishes. They are so much appreciated.

In the meantime, Mia is doing awesome and getting so big! She is now eating cereal and veggies regularly and has figured out how to blow bubbles from her mouth. She has discovered her voice too and loves to hear herself talk. Of course that million dollar smile melts all of our hearts each day :) She is surely the bright light we all need in these tough weeks ahead.