My dear brother, Phillip, passed away around 12 a.m. central time. My mother and my sister, Vicki were with him. The doctors tried to resuscitate him, with no success. He fought hard, even under heavy sedation, but his body betrayed his fighting spirit.  

I’m am broken hearted to lose him, but I am also relieved that his struggle to even take a breath is over. He was only 41, but he packed a lot of living into his short years. He is a hero to me, and to many others.

I want to sincerely thank you for all your prayers and words of encouragement over the past 2 months. It has been a long and arduous journey. Thank you for sharing my burden with me. Please continue to pray for my family, especially my parents, and sister in law, Phillip’s wife, Gena. There will surely be some rough days ahead.

I’m struggling to find the words to express how much your love and concern has meant to me, and to my family. Please know that I will treasure it always.

Please do not mention this yet on Facebook, as there are some people there that I need to tell this to myself. Thank you for keeping this here on Fab40.

In Deep Gratitude,
Cindy

Several of the Fabulous 40 women have shared their generosity with our young women of Shiloh Home of Hope for Women.  

Shiloh Girls select their favorite items sent them from our own Mz Tracy!

Megan is shy!

Ashley L models her selection!

Ashley B shows off her earrings!

The girls are excited about using the scrapbook supplies that CindyLouWho sent for making our greeting cards! yes, Lu sent ALL THAT!!!

Thanks, Lu!

The girls will each enjoy their own copy of Giv , as well as a set of Classic Romance DVD's sent by our own Fabulously 40 creator, Yana Berlin!

We are all so touched and humbled at your generous gifts to the young women at Shiloh!!! We are deeply grateful for your love and support!

Speechless in humility
Cindy Rhudy
Director of Programs
Shiloh Home of Hope for Women

http://www.shilohhomeofhope.org

I am a Navy Brat. My dad was a career Navy man. During my growing up years my dad managed to spend more time away from home that at home. Consequently, the burden of raising three daughters, and then later a son, fell on my mother.  

When Dad was home he never had much to say, unless you get him on the topic of politics, the military, or memories. He was never one to help with discipline, and didn’t care to go places. But I worked to find little ways to connect with him. I’d offer to bring him his slippers and paper. Serve him a cup of coffee. Make a Jello No-Bake Cheesecake (he loved those!). I’d go hang out with him while he had his head under the hood of our old pick-up and ask questions. He’d answer in as short of sentences as possible. That’s probably when I learned to ask open ended questions, unsatisfied with a yes or no.  

I’ve always loved my Dad, but we’ve never been close. Dad was so uninvolved in our lives, that when he showed up at my Homecoming, I was stunned! He acted as if it were the most normal thing in the world to be at my special occasion, I wondered at that, since he never came to anything else I could remember.

I gave Dad a little book once for Father’s Day, I must have been about 12 years old. It was one of those little sentimental “Your a Great Father” books. I saw him get tears in his eyes. I never felt closer to him.

I struggle with feeling like a good daughter, I just don’t go see my dad often. I hesitate to call, because he doesn’t hear well on the phone. And, honestly, he doesn’t make an effort to come see me either. Well, that was then. This is now.

Now my little brother (41, but 11 years my junior) lays in an ICU bed in another state 6 hours away. Dad and I went together last week to St. Louis to see Phillip. We spent 12 hours traveling roundtrip, and 4 days together total. And something amazing happened. Incredible, really. In 4 days we spanned a relationship chasm of 52 years. We talked about everything. My childhood, his family, my kids, his cancer, my brother, his son. Oh, and yes, the Military and politics as well.

One evening, standing in the little grotto behind the hospitality house we stayed in, he said to me, "Bug (he has always called me Bug), it's not the best circumstances, but I have really enjoyed our time together." I'm getting choked up, "Me too, Dad." He continues, "I love ALL my kids (brief pause), but you're  my first !" Fade out with big, almost back breaking hug.

Wow! I’m 12 again, somehow. Finally with the love and approval a daughter always yearns for from her daddy. And as difficult as these days are, while my baby brother’s life hangs in the balance, I will always treasure this time with my dad.  

Funny thing, I’m calling him almost every day now.

I reluctantly selected the catagory “New Thoughts” as there wasn’t one for “random ramblings“, but I’m just thinking out loud here.  

Actually, I’m having trouble thinking, or concentrating, at least. Looks like I’ll be heading up to St. Louis again on Tuesday, and I’m trying to get my ducks in a row, and their quacking is causing me brain chaos. So if you don’t mind, I’d like to just process here. You can totally ignore these ramblings, if you desire. I’m not expecting feedback, unless, of course you are inspired to do so!

I think I’ve covered all my Shiloh/FLS bases for while I’ll be away. I plan on taking my laptop, so I can work on several projects, as time and concentration allows. Below are the projects and thoughts related to.

1. September Newsletter

   * Diaper Drive winners announced and article on winning

     group

   * Blurb on Shiloh as guests on SSTI

   * New Pregnancy Center Director and time changes

   * New Shiloh Girl and baby, other new baby coming in OCT
2. Shiloh will start a small cottage industry

   * Handmade greeting cards:

     I will write curriculum for small home based business

     Design 12 templates, 4 groups, 4 designs for each group

     Pricing and marketing strategies (add to newsletter)
3. Email new contact about possibility of bringing a     family/women’s shelter to Emporia.  

Now the challenge is to focus. aaahahahaha!!!! LOL  

Well, thanks for letting me ramble. At least I’ve got a list to refer to now! xoxo

Cindy

Please pray for my brother, Phil, he’s in critical condition in ICU in St Louis. He was admitted Thursday with shortness of breath, but no diagnosis. Today his blood pressure crashed, and they’ve said they don’t expect him to make it through the day.  

I am on my way to St. Louis shortly, I’d really like to see my brother if this is God’s will for him to go home now. But I’d love it if he could be around longer! Please pray however the Spirit leads you.

Thank you, sisters!
Much love,
Cindy

Now, I know what you‘re thinking, I’m going to complain about the size of my bum, and the pains I’m going through to reduce it. Well, not that any of that’s not true, but this is actually about my trunk, the one in my car!

I leaving in the morning for a 2 day conference and although I’ll be attending with a large group, I’ll be driving myself. As I unloaded a few groceries tonight, I surveyed all that remained, and wondered what my co-conferencers would think of the odd collection of items I am hauling around! What would these things say about me?

Well, I believe first, it would say I’m generous. You see, there are several bags of books to donate, and a few clothing items as well.

Secondly, it would say that I’m honest. Our youngest son left a fan when he moved out, and even though I could use it, it’s not mine and I continue to intend to return it to him.

Thirdly, it says that I’m trustworthy. A friend gave me an outfit she wanted me to try. She asked me to return it to her if it didn’t work for me. Well, it didn’t and it’s in my trunk so I can return it, just as she asked.

Lastly, I think it says that I’m somewhat forgetful, and perhaps a little lazy. I tend to have an “Out of sight, out of mind” mentality.  

What does your trunk say about you? Mine, well, it’s says I’m full of good intentions, and you know what they say about that! ;)