Portland, OR. 5/25/13 — The ineffable and extraordinary Valerie Louise Garrison died peacefully on Sunday, May 19, 2013, in Portland, Oregon, in the company of many of those who love her. Val filled her 44 years with creativity, curiosity, love and delight. She relished life, and in her hands a Continue Reading
debrarian
The Salvation Tree
This magical tree portal on the top of Mount Tabor was one of Val’s favorite spots in town. When you walk between the trees it always feels as though you might end up… anywhere. Val always loved climbing Mount Tabor to see out over the city, and when things were Continue Reading
blaze
My dears, I want you to know that Val’s passing was beautiful. We had a few hours to whisper our secrets and our love to her once more as she slipped deeper and deeper into herself. Some of the great many who love her gathered quietly ’round, sitting on the Continue Reading
flight
My friends, She is gone.
receding
My dears, I have spent the last 20 hours without leaving Val’s side. Now I am taking a quick break to grab some clean clothes, deal with various things, and send a quick update. Sweet Val is receding from us, friends. Her body continues to decline. Today she can barely Continue Reading
head count
There is no knowing what will happen. Brooke and I talked with a bunch of nurses (at the hospice critical care house) today and they all confirmed that as long as they are titrating or changing meds, trying to help Val get to a comfortable sweet spot of breathing and some Continue Reading
doing well at the hospice house
My dears, Val is doing well at the in-patient hospice house. They have been able to observe her closely and streamline her medications with the result that she is breathing a little more easily (still with the oxygen cranked, but without so many scary breathing crises) and overall feeling less Continue Reading
changes
Dear hearts, Things are changing quickly these days. Val’s symptoms have begun worsening much more rapidly. As of the last couple days she can no longer get out of bed. She fights constantly for oxygen. The medicines for pain, nausea, anxiety and breathing leave her groggy and often cause hallucinations. Continue Reading
A short history of Betty’s life
We wanted to share with you Betty Garrison’s obituary, a fascinating brief outline of her varied life, written by her family. Here it is; enjoy. EUREKA – Betty Lee Garrison went home to be with her Lord Jesus on Tuesday, April 2, 2013, at age 87. Her battle with pancreatic cancer Continue Reading
solitude & ducklings
Dears, my sister Abby has been visiting and making life good, so I haven’t updated you in a while. This is just a quick note to say we are all still here. Val is very tired and weak these days, often not leaving her bedroom, but now and then she Continue Reading