His name was James Crawford. He and his wife, Ione moved to Portland about 5 years ago. They made the move because the city of Portland is at sea level, which helped him to breathe easier. James and Ione are in their late 80’s, met when they were only 15, down in rural Louisiana and have been married for over 70 years. As we were visiting with Ione today, she spoke of how wonderful their life together was. She's grateful to have been healthy and strong enough to care for him for these past 10 years that he has been ill.
Ione is amazing. She's a small but spunky woman with a southern accent and a zest for life. James never had to spend time in a nursing home, and Ione believes that angels have been helping her to take care of him. She knows that she is physically too small to have lifted and cared for him all by herself, yet she has.
Last week when James fell, he didn’t have enough strength to get up on his own. Ione couldn’t lift him, and planned to call the fire department for help. James begged her not to (worried that they might take him away I suppose) so she pulled him, inch by inch, down the hall to their room. She told him that she would have to call for help or he would have to sleep on the floor, to which he replied that he was fine on the floor. She nestled some blankets and pillows together, making a little bed on the floor, got him comfortable, and there she slept next to him all night. The next morning, with renewed strength, together they were able to get him back into his bed.
Ione says that James never reminisced too much about the past, or worried about the future, but that he loved every day, and lived it that way. The previous day had been spent together watching football on TV. He was feeling better than he had in quite awhile and mentioned to her that he would sure love some ribs and candy. So she went out and got him some. She almost didn’t, as it was Sunday and raining. But today she's happy that she did! We loved hearing her describe how he enjoyed his ribs and chocolate, and how they had a wonderful afternoon together. Their daughter called them as she does every night, just to say good-night.
This morning he was gone. She told me that although heartbroken and lonely, she was so grateful that James never had to leave home. Ione is one of the sweetest people that I have ever known. I have never seen her complain, or seem anything but content with life.
Stories like this one, of James and Ione are so inspiring. We are here to help and build one another up. In the end, isn't that all that really matters? I am so very fortunate to have known James and Ione and believe that a part of them will always live on in all who knew them.
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