Wednesday, August 01, 2007

We're BAAA-AACK!

We enjoyed a week time away from home at the church cottage with my brothers and their wives and families. The weather was nice and the kids enjoyed the time together. It was long overdue - the first time I'd been away in two years!





Unfortunately my niece and one of my nephews were sick during the week away. That was stressful for my SIL as she tried to juggle three kids under the age of 5.

We had been hoping that my father's health would improve enough to allow my parents to join us for at least part of the week. Unfortunately, there were not able to do so.

My father's health seems to be declining rapidly. My mother called an ambulance to take him to the hospital a couple of days ago as she wasn't able to get him into the car for the short drive. He was seen in emerg. (would you believe that the Dr. diagnosed a "bladder infection"?!?! He hasn't had a bladder for several years!) He was given more meds and has to return to the hospital daily for DVT to treat a blood clot that has formed in one of his legs. He has very little strength but we're grateful that when he's awake we're able to communicate with him very well. The CCAC is involved - Care Partners are making sure his needs are met and that my mother has some support. He is palliative. Palliative. I always cringed at that word when I worked at the CCAC and it saddens me even more now.

I guess we are all "palliative" in terms of our human condition. We are not meant for this world. As the saying goes "no one gets out alive". It's a comfort to know that we don't travel through this life alone!

These have been very trying & stressful weeks - the few short hours at the beach watching the kids play were a real highlight. I will strive to cherish the good times and make the best of the not-so-good.

God's Boxes

I have in my hands two boxes which God gave me to hold

He said, 'Put all your sorrows in the black box and all your
joys in the gold.'

I heeded His words, and in the two boxes both my joys and
sorrows I stored

But though the gold became heavier each day, the black was
as light as before.

With curiosity, I opened the black, I wanted to find out
why

And I saw, in the base of the box, a hole, which my sorrows
had fallen out by.

I showed the hole to God, and mused 'I wonder where my
sorrows could be!'

He smiled a gentle smile and said 'My child, they're all
here with me.'

I asked God, why He gave me the boxes, why the gold and the
black with the hole?

'My child, the gold is for you to count your blessings, the
black is for you to let go.'

4 comments:

  1. :( sounds like a lot of pain going on. Sending you love and prayers!

    Oh I love those pics too btw ;)

    xoxox

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  2. Anonymous11:12 AM

    Who's the good lookin' lady on the air mattress! Nyaw!!!

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  3. Anonymous3:21 PM

    Mo, you have a kind heart and a terrific faith in God. Take comfort and peace from both in both your situations. *hugs*

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  4. Anonymous8:18 PM

    God is sooo much greater than our hurts and our heart.
    He is real. I know. mutti

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