My Dearest Betty Lou
Dale Slobe
June 28, 2026 marks one year since Jesus called you home. 12 months, 52 weeks, 525,960 minutes of missing you.
Last October 28, 2025, we planned to spend our 65th anniversary in Branson to watch the performance of David and attend the Southern Gospel 3-day convention. Instead, God took you to Heaven to see David, Noah, Esther, Jesus, and many others, and to sing with all the musical groups that went before us.
You have been my rock since the first day we met at Woolworths snack counter in Burton Heights. I finally had enough courage to ask you out on a date. I told you I wanted to marry you in about 18 months, and did you want to go out again next Friday? You said “yes”. We got married 18 months later. God gave us three children, lots of grandchildren, and fourteen great-grandchildren. You loved your family fervently. You loved to cook and bake. I never learned to cook because you always said, “Get out of my kitchen – I’ll call you when supper is ready”
The last few years, it got harder for you to make meals; you would be exhausted and sit in your recliner to finish your meal. The exhaustion was due to your heart not working properly. There were so many operations: 6 back surgeries, foot rebuild, hand rebuild, neck surgery, cancer, and many trips to the emergency room. You were in constant pain. I asked you how you could be so happy, and you responded, “Dale, I can choose to be angry or happy. I choose to be happy.”
On Tuesday, you had 3 stents inserted to help your heart. On Saturday you said you needed help right now. The ambulance was at our home in about 5 minutes. You knew your name and birthday and stopped breathing. I could not hold your hand or kiss you because the people were trying to revive you on the living room floor. By the time I got to the hospital, the doctor told me he could not save you because your heart was failing.
Doctor Tim at Metro gave me a cross, and I put it in your hand. It is now engraved with your thumbprint. Vicki, Julie and Tim got to the hospital as soon as possible to be with you and me. By the afternoon, I don’t remember much. Pastor Ron says your brain shrinks and you just exist.
The kids helped me with your funeral planning; I was doing ok until it came time to plan flowers. I remember going outside because it was just too much. I tried to be tough for the kids because your dad always said: “Keep up a stiff upper lip.” So I didn’t cry in front of our family.
Early in the morning, two days after you went to heaven, you stood at the side of my bed. You touched my right cheek and said, “You will be ok.” You kissed my left cheek and said: “I have to go now.”
Betty, you need to know I am becoming OK. Family, friends, Hillside, HarkUp! And neighbors make sure I am doing ok.
I went to Hillside Grief Share and met with others who were going through the mourning process. I made some new friends.
Pastor Arek invited me to volunteer at HISability. I see so many Friends that need a handshake, touch, smile, or just a few words as they struggle with their physical issues.
Hillside is my family, with so many people asking me how I am doing.
Streams of Hope helps me with 3 meals a week, and I have met so many new friends.
Neighbors insisted that I not move to a retirement home.
HarkUp! keeps me busy singing at the Spring Concert, Praise at the Grand Haven fountain, and we are starting with plans for Christmas 2026.
I want to see you, others that have gone before us, and the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit soon because this world is not my own.
One of the songs I sing in HarkUp! (With tears) is
Come Jesus Come, We’ve been waiting so long for the day you return
To heal every hurt, and right every wrong, we need you right now.
Deep down I know this world isn’t home, Come Jesus Come.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wh0uvyPvYV4
Together Forever
—Dale and Betty Slobe
GriefShare at Hillside is offered twice a year. The next session will begin on September 14 at 6:30 pm with “Loss of a Spouse.”
If you’ve experienced the loss of a loved one and are looking for a way forward or simply want to be with others who can relate to your loss, please join us.