Card of Thanks
Dear Editor: Huge thank yous on behalf of Emma ‘‘Baboo’’ Kohler children and their families.
Please know we would all like to take our time and thank each and every one of you during Mom’s/Baboo’s celebration of life, as well as the many years leading up to and now as we all continue to learn to live without her.
Writing this is one way of expressing our heartfelt thank yous to so many, as we would not want to leave anyone out.
Mom’s/Baboo’s families, lifelong friends, Japonski Island ear friends, church ladies/prayer warriors, PHS/SEARHC co-workers, so many of her patients, countless beautiful people have shared their stories, their love and hugs, stories and even a poem. It has been an amazing experience, and we could not have done it without you, our beautiful community of Sitka, and from those near and far.
With that being said, we would like to like to say a few special thank yous to those who have been involved in Mom’s/Baboo’s life that need to be shared.
Thank you, Mr. and Mrs. Poulson and the Daily Sitka Sentinel, for always/continuing to allow Mom’s/Baboo’s life stories to be published. You have captured a huge part of Mom’s/Baboo’s history and that we can always go back to look at.
Thank you, Brave Heart and Brave Heart Volunteers, as well as Sitka Home Health Care. You came into Mom’s/Baboo’s life during one of the beginnings of a difficult time, taking and easing some transitioning stages and easing more than you’ll ever know. Just being near and providing some fun activities.
Thank you, Trudy, and your team at Prewitt’s. One call is all it took and you provided Mom/Baboo with the utmost respect and class that only you do so well. Picking her up in style and lifelong memories of special bus rides in Sitka. Jan. 12, 2021, you gave Mom/Baboo a private drive (looking back, realizing now it was her last ride on a school bus), that so many of her family wishes they could have been on-board. Had life been different, I’m sure you would have provided every bus filled with her loved ones to welcome her home. However, the pandemic changed life. But you provided a feeling in our hearts that we all know how special that ride was.
Thank you, Sitka Pioneers Home. Back on Jan. 12, 2021, during the pandemic, you welcomed Mom/Baboo home, when no one else could. Mom and Dad worked so long for the house dad built for her and she always wanted to die there, but no other plans came into her life. You all, the Sitka Pioneers Home family of staff, have gone above and beyond to help transition Mom/Baboo with her many children in only a way you could – through technology. You assisted in more ways of love and support than words can express, you gave Mom/Baboo so much of what she needed and missed, her family and friends and above all a new home, these past few years. Above all, Mom/Baboo was shown great love by her new families, more than words can express, while she lived there.
Everyone transitioned the best they could with what they had, but you all made it look easy and normal. You worked closely with the variety of barriers that came along with the pandemic, and for that, thank you doesn’t seem to be enough. Mom/Baboo had amazing care in your home and all of your many hands. She adjusted and learned to love and accept her hew home as her very own special third floor Northern Lights wing staff care beyond measures. The short time Mom/Baboo lived there, you recognized how hard Mom/Baboo worked to be healthy and happy. It was your care that assisted in that special way.
Thank you, SEARHC, Mom’s/Baboo’s and the many of staff that work there. It takes all of you to provide the care she received. To the doctors who had provided her and her families with love and respect during the critical end-of-life stages. To the RNs/LPNs/nurses/CNAs who showed your utmost love and respect for your fellow prior LPN, as a patient. Many know nurses are not known for being the best patients, as they are used to being the caretaker for patients. Mom/Baboo had the utmost care and respect, as you provided her families love and support during their last stay. You all provided her families with difficult conversations, with the utmost love, care and respect. You are all amazing at what the how you are all able to do what you do with.
As well as those other SEARHC staff from janitors, social services, kitchen/dietary and every one in between, thank you, again.
Thank you, Pastor Sandra, and the Sitka Lutheran Church family and friends. Pastor Sandra, you took your time with great love and respect with no prior notice, to assist her families to plan a celebration of life. You all blessed and welcomed Mom/Baboo, her families and friends into church, providing a beautiful celebration of life for Mom/Baboo that was so perfect and fitting. For the short notice everyone had, it all came together like it had been planned out for years. Our heartfelt thank yous to all of you, our dear families, near and far, your love and support was felt.
Mom’s/Baboo’s lifelong friends, acquaintances who expressed their love, hugs, support condolences, and your delicious food. Your stories and poems were so good to hear and read.
Mom’s/Baboo’s families are thankful for the beautiful life she lived and provided us all with, all of you and we could not have made it through this time without any of you. Thank you for being alongside us all. May God bless each and every one of you.
Love, Emma ‘‘Mom/Baboo’’ Kohler families
