Goodbye Dear Friends, Phyllis and Earl

Oh how you will be missed.....and never forgotten.

You have shown those of us who have had the privilege of knowing you, what true love and commitment is for each other.  You may not realize it, but people watch you......they watch you, Earl….how you gently hold Phyllis' elbow and carefully guide her, ready to catch a possible stumble at any moment.  And Phyllis….they watch the courage you have and how you handle a difficult disease such as Parkinson's with a smile and determination.  You never give up....you keep moving forward, never letting the disease define who you are.  I have never seen a better husband caregiver as I have Earl....ever.....and I have never seen a more determined, faithful wife as I have Phyllis.  You two go together like macaroni and cheese.

Chuck and I know all too well how difficult it is to close a chapter you aren't ready to close and to start a new chapter with only empty pages staring back at you.  There's something about the unknown.....about what tomorrow will bring when you are fighting to stay in the present, that brings you to your knees.  Don't ever forget that you are not alone in this next chapter; you have a gazelion friends here in Mt. Vernon who would be by your side in a moments notice.  That's the thing about friends; you have to BE a good friend in order to HAVE good friends.....and both of you, have been the best friends anyone could ever ask for.

So as you start the next chapter of unknowns, just know that we are sending you off with our love, our friendship and our prayers.  

We love you.

Chuck and Liz