Archive for the ‘Family’ Category
Illustrations In Watercolors
January 22nd, 2010
My daughter, among her many talents, is an artist. She has begun to scan some of her work to participate in an art blog called Illustration Friday. The contributors are given one word every Friday and they post their work illustrating that word during the week. Last week’s word was Confined and this week it is Wilderness. Her blog is titled Music for a while… and is here.
After working with acrylics and oils, I think she has found her medium in watercolors. She loves to do detail work and the delicacy of watercolors enhances her art.
Monday Update On Belle (Evening Update Added)
October 5th, 2009
Thanks to the many who have visited and graciously offered their prayers and thoughts for Belle and her family.
Here is the latest update on this precious little one via CaringBridge:
Monday, October 5, 2009 2:04 PM, EDT
I wish I had great news update for you all, but we are still in the deja vu loop of waiting. We are waiting for the doctors to give us the updates to pass them on to you.Belle Belle has been sitting up and talking to her mommy and daddy, but after about an hour she crashes and has to sleep a while. She is so cute. It is hard to see her little body hooked up to all of those needles pumping meds into her body.
I know this has been a long process, but please dont grow weary and continue to pray for my baby girl.
Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.Galatians 6:9
*Update
Monday, October 5, 2009 7:59 PM, EDT
Prayer update. They have shut off the drain in Belle’s head and are planning on removing it totally tomorrow. Tonight is the test to see if her little body can handle the fluid. God has led us to this point, and we expect great things in the morning.Thanks for your prayers.
Friday-Fly-By
July 10th, 2009
After thinking through my usual Friday-Fly-By, I happened upon a post (and the video below) at Blackfive which made anything political, humorous, or informational seem a bit insignificant.
Evan and his family serve as a reminder that no matter how bad things might seem in your life, you should always take the time to count your blessings.
If you would like to leave a message of encouragement for Evan you may do so by following the link provided by Matt Burden in the post acknowledged above.
Immigration Enforcement Goes Awry
June 10th, 2009
Yes, laws are laws.
Certainly illegal immigration is a problem we continue to deal with in America.
However, read this and tell me it makes any sense whatsoever.
CUMMING, Ga. — A family is fighting an immigration mix-up that may force them to send their 11-year-old daughter back to Poland.
The Forsyth County girl, whose father is a U.S. citizen, could be deported if she doesn’t leave the country by July.
Ewelina Bledniak hasn’t been in Poland since she was 2 years old, but now immigration officers are ordering her to return and wait a year before she can come home.
“I was really sad because I’m going to have to leave so much,” said Ewelina.
The 11-year-old, who goes to school in Forsyth County, is seen as an illegal immigrant by the feds.
“She has to leave (the) country before July 23, if not, she’ll be deported. If she stays here and they deport her, she will not get back here for 10 years,” said Agnes Bledniak, Ewelina’s mother.
Where in the world are Georgia Senators Chambliss and Isakson? Is there nothing they can do to assist this family?
I discovered this story via a link at JammieWearingFool where I wish I had the answer to the question with which he opens his post.
For now the best I can offer is I just do not know.
A Death in Our Family
May 26th, 2009
We received notice that INC’s father passed away on Sunday at 3:15pm.
INC is an occasional poster on our blog and a member of the J’s Cafe Nette family. She is a very devout Christian and is going through a hard time right now, as everyone does when they lose a parent.
We extend our prayers and good wishes to her and her entire family during this very difficult time.
We ask for you to be in prayer for INC and her family as well.
But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint. (Isaiah 30:41)
Goodnight, Sweet Princess
April 16th, 2009
My mother was one of nine children of my grandmother’s and one of 18 children of my grandfather’s. Of my grandmother’s children six lived to adulthood and had children of their own.
Guss was the oldest of the cousins, followed by me a little less than a year later.
Because of the proximity of our houses all the cousins were like brothers and sisters and all the aunts were like second mothers.
Wednesday at 5:15 pm the last of Guss’ six siblings went to be with the Lord.
I called my uncle to tell him, only to be told by his wife that he was on his way by ambulance to the hospital with what sounds like dehydration from a stomach virus.
A double whammy in one hour. You know it happened but it doesn’t quite sink in at first.
You review the life of the one who has left us and pray for the one who is still here.
Goodnight, sweet Princess, and rest in the arms of Jesus forever and ever. I’ll meet you on the other side of the gate. Wait for us patiently. Your suffering is finally over.
I never told you, but I love you and I was so looking forward to seeing you in June. You stayed as strong as you could but you just didn’t have the strength to fight it off anymore. Go with God.
Been Away for Awhile (But With Good Reason)
March 19th, 2009
Anyone who knows my husband and me also knows we love our grandchildren but get to see only half of them most of the time. This is because our son and daughter-in-law live in Texas and we see them only when we go to visit them or they come to visit her family and take a day or so to see us.
This week was one of the times our grandchildren came to see us, and it marks the first time we have had a photo taken of all four grandchildren at one time since our youngest grandson was a baby.
Without further ado I present our grandchildren to you:
So there you have it, the Red-Eye family! And yes, those are Caylee’s prints on the drapes. Pay no attention; they’re not there.
We thoroughly enjoyed seeing all of our grandchildren together, and Ryan was so looking forward to meeting his cousin Patrick because he didn’t remember him from before but saw Kelsey last year. Plus he’s a boy cousin and that’s better than girl cousins to any boy.
Who would have thought we would have had so much noise with four kids in the house and a hyper puppy? I looked at myself in the mirror after Ashley and Ryan left and looked as though I were bald in front because I had been pushing my hair back from all the noise. But it was good noise and fun.
A Heart The Size Of A Walnut
February 11th, 2009
The story of their child’s struggle for survival is told by Bret and Amy Baier:
“So there’s our little child with a clear bandage over his chest and you can see the heart beating in the chest. We’re standing at the bedside looking at our child with a mix of emotions — shock, fear, awe and gratitude.”
Via Brietbart:
Families Grieve While Political Games Are Played In Washington (Updated)
February 6th, 2009
Over 3,000 Americans brutally killed on 9-11. 17 Sailors murdered on the USS Cole. Only 40 families of the departed met with Barack Obama today at the White House.
I wonder if other invitees felt much as this mother does:
There is no conceivable way I can feel the pain of Mrs. McDaniels, but as a fellow American first allow me to offer my condolences to the family and further, it is my opinion that she is 100% correct.
(Update): The family of another USS Cole Sailor who lost his life in the terrorist attack:
The trials of our son’s killers have become a heated political debate, and a political weapon that the liberals are using to get back at the past Bush administration, and the republican party. While the victims murders go unanswered, and the feelings of their families are taken on a emotional roller coaster ride.
While my family, myself and a good majority of Americans are wondering how can the Military Commissions Tribunals which were approved by congress can be overturned a by a President who does not agree with them. That’s not a democracy. That’s more like how President Saleh in Yemen acted after our son’s killers were tried in their courts. Saleh intervened for the killers and Al-Qaeda and then reduced their sentences, and pardoned others. And had the other Cole Bombers tried on unrelated charges, and then freed. As victims we had hoped that our own government would show us a little more respect. Wrong!
This is a very long, detailed piece but do yourself a favor and read the whole thing. Those who believe these folks garnered any more respect from former President Clinton than they are from the new administration..well you really need to check this out.
If a president, any president, cannot show respect for those who would lay down their lives for this country then how to you expect them to show respect for the balance of the population?
Further, following what was dubbed an emotional meeting, Mr. and Mrs. Obama proceeded with what is now “date night” at the White House:
It’s Friday, and that means one thing around the Obama White House: date night.
To Malia and Sasha From Jenna and Barbara
January 23rd, 2009
Very little could provide more of a rewarding, heartbreaking, confusing, educating or enlightening childhood than being that of a President of the United States.
Jenna and Barbara Bush offer a little advice to Malia and Sasha Obama in this very heartwarming (and if you are like me, tear producing) video:
Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy
For Aunt Jean
January 5th, 2009
Last night, a little after midnight, I received a call from my Aunt Pat informing me that Aunt Jean had gone home to be with the Lord.
I can’t say it was unexpected as she has had bad health since my father died four years ago. She had heart bypass surgery, her large toe on her left foot amputated and then all the rest of the toes on that foot amputated, congestive heart failure when upon testing it was discovered she also had liver cancer.
The liver was operated on last summer and the cancer was removed, but she never really got back home except the week or so her husband rescued her from the nursing home where she had gone for rehab and had ended up with a terrible bedsore on her bottom and drugs not prescribed given to her.
Her home nurses suggested she go to the wound center, and she was shortly transferred to the main hospital because her heart was surrounded by fluid.
All this time she wouldn’t/couldn’t eat, and just before midnight last night she went home with no family there with her. She was speaking and her husband and daughter were ever so faithful, but that’s what happens many times. People wait until their loved ones are gone and then they leave.
She announced excitedly yesterday she was going home today. Today was her father’s birthday and she had seen him and my father while she was so sick from the heart operation. She said then she was no longer afraid to die.
I met her only a bit over six years ago, but it’s amazing how someone can work their way into your heart in such a short time if we but give ourselves the opportunities offered us.
Many of us will miss her, but for her, she is now home forever and we’ll see her again one day.
She is basking in the glow of Jesus, and now has ten toes, a good liver and a good heart again, and she is with those who left her behind in the past.
In the meantime, our hearts ache and our stomachs feel empty as we walk around with our memories and in a daze.
Please pray for her entire family; especially her husband, who has driven over 80 miles each way daily to be with her.
This is for you, Aunt Jean, with love and sweet memories.
41 Years and Still Going Strong
December 16th, 2008
At 8:00 PM tonight my husband and I have officially been married for forty-one years.
Where has all the time gone? When did we each get old? Other than a few aches and pains neither of us really feels old.
We remember with loving fondness the summer we fell in love. We remember with love the times we found out we were going to be parents for the first, second (baby lost through miscarriage) and third times.
Special memories are those of the days we met our children for the first time and then watched them grow.
We gave our daughter away in marriage to a wonderful man and several months later our son married a wonderful woman.
They have each given us a grandson and a granddaughter. We see our daughter’s children every day because they live about ten minutes from our house.
Our son and his family live in Irving, TX, and we don’t get to see them as often. This past summer we didn’t go out because their daughter was invited to spend the summer with her other grandparents.
Next year we would like to take our older grandchildren on a learning trip to Washington DC to see the houses of Congress and all the memorials, plus the White House if we can get tickets to it.
Our son’s children’s great-grandparents are buried at Arlington National Cemetery and she was alive until after they were both born. We would, of course, take them to visit that gravesite.
Forty-one years. My husband’s family have all died; his mother, his brother and then his father. Most of the ones I loved the most when I was growing up are also gone, so now we are the patriarch and matriarch of our own little dynasty.
Who knows what will come of it? The name is carried on and will be if Patrick has a son. The children are all very bright and have good futures ahead of them. My fondest hope and prayer is that they will all do something that serves the Lord in a way that would make Him pleased.
Here’s looking forward to as many more years as the Lord will allow.
I love you more today, Don, than the day we were married. Thank you for putting up with me.
Have Your Tissues Handy….
December 7th, 2008
It’s so hard when they go, but oh so wonderful when they come home.
The best Christmas gift ever!
HT:Hot Air
Can You Relate?
December 1st, 2008
This was delivered to my email box from dear friend and rather than just forward it I thought I’d share it here (by the way, I think many Dads would qualify too) (author unknown):
Invisible Mother……
It all began to make sense, the blank stares, the lack of response, the way one of the kids will walk into the room while I’m on the phone and ask to be taken to the store.
Inside I’m thinking, ‘Can’t you see I’m on the phone?’
Obviously, not.
No one can see if I’m on the phone, or cooking, or sweeping the floor, or even standing on my head in the corner, because no one can see me at all.
I’m invisible. The invisible Mom. Some days I am only a pair of hands, nothing more: Can you fix this? Can you tie this? Can you open this?
Some days I’m not a pair of hands; I’m not even a human being. I’m a clock to ask, ‘What time is it?’ I’m a satellite guide to answer, ‘What number is the Disney Channel?’ I’m a car to order, ‘Right around 5:30, please.’
I was certain that these were the hands that once held books and the eyes that studied history and the mind that graduated sum a cum laude – but now they had disappeared into the peanut butter, never to be seen again. She’s going; she’s going; she is gone!
One night, a group of us were having dinner, celebrating the return of a friend from England ..
Janice had just gotten back from a fabulous trip, and she was going on and on about the hotel she stayed in.
I was sitting there, looking around at the others all put together so well. It was hard not to compare and feel sorry for myself.
I was feeling pretty pathetic, when Janice turned to me with a beautifully wrapped package, and said, ‘I brought you this.’
It was a book on the great cathedrals of Europe ..
I wasn’t exactly sure why she’d given it to me until I read her inscription:
‘To My Dear Friend, with admiration for the greatness of what you are building when no one sees.’
In the days ahead I would read – no, devour – the book. And I would discover what would become for me, four life-changing truths, after which I could pattern my work:
No one can say who built the great cathedrals – we have no record of their names.
These builders gave their whole lives for a work they would never see finished.
They made great sacrifices and expected no credit.
The passion of their building was fueled by their faith that the eyes of God saw everything.
A legendary story in the book told of a rich man who came to visit the cathedral while it was being built, and he saw a workman carving a tiny bird on the inside of a beam. He was puzzled and asked the man, ‘Why are you spending so much time carving that bird into a beam that will be covered by the roof? No one will ever see it.’ And the workman replied, ‘Because God sees’
I closed the book, feeling the missing piece fall into place.
It was almost as if I heard God whispering to me, ‘I see you. I see the sacrifices you make every day, even when no one around you does. No act of kindness you’ve done, no sequin you’ve sewn on, no cupcake you’ve baked, is too small for me to notice and smile over. You are building a great cathedral, but you can’t see right now what it will become.’
At times, my invisibility feels like an affliction. But it is not a disease that is erasing my life.
It is the cure for the disease of my own self-centeredness. It is the antidote to my strong, stubborn pride.I keep the right perspective when I see myself as a great builder. As one of the people who show up at a job that they will never see finished, to work on something that their name will never be on.
The writer of the book went so far as to say that no cathedrals could ever be built in our lifetime because there are so few people willing to sacrifice to that degree.
When I really think about it, I don’t want my son to tell the friend he’s bringing home from college for Thanksgiving, ‘My Mom gets up at 4 in the morning and bakes homemade pies, and then she hand bastes a turkey for three hours and presses all the linens for the table.’ That would mean I’d built a shrine or a monument to myself. I just want him to want to come home. And then, if there is anything more to say to his friend, to add, ‘you’re going to love it there.’
As mothers, we are building great cathedrals. We cannot be seen if we’re doing it right.
And one day, it is very possible that the world will marvel, not only at what we have built, but at the beauty that has been added to the world by the sacrifices of invisible women.
A Very Touching Story
November 14th, 2008
This is a very inspiring story about the University of Georgia football coach and his family:
Home With Honor
November 10th, 2008
I’ve seen many a homecoming for deployed US military over the years but never one quite like this:
Sgt. Tyson Two Two stood on a war blanket provided by his family, a traditional Northern Cheyenne Tribe war bonnet perfectly complementing his dress blues, as drummers and singers welcomed him home.
Saturday afternoon in the baggage claim lobby of Billings Logan International Airport, Two Two, 24, a sergeant in the United States Marine Corps and member of the Northern Cheyenne Tribe, was welcomed home from a seven-month tour in Iraq by about 50 family members and friends from the Northern Cheyenne reservation.
Welcome home Sergeant..well done!
There are many, many terific pictures at the link as well as the balance of the story. HT: Gateway Pundit
Posted in Celebration, Ceremonies, Family, Family and friends, Heart Warming, Homecoming, Honor, United States Marine Corps | 
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Lest We Forget
October 24th, 2008
A few days ago The Anchoress posted this:
Folks, I cannot go into a lot of detail, but a military family and good friend to this blog has written an email they never wanted to write – because of the inability to give details I can share only this:
“[he] has been wounded very badly. The doctors have said I need to be prepared to lose him. If there’s a positive, they said most other men would have died because of the severity of wounds. At present, he’s under heavy sedation.â€
To this family we offer our prayers and thoughts and to all who have and continue to serve this country with honor please know that even in the midst of this intense political season, you have not been forgotten.
Which Came First…Family or Political Career?
October 23rd, 2008
Very vivid in my memory is the loss of my grandparents.
When we lost my Dad’s father we were stationed in Hawaii and only he could return for the services.
I remember my paternal grandfather as a kind man who worked hard during very tough times to support a wife and 7 children. His illness and death left a profound mark on my life as it was my first experience in the loss of a loved one.
Then the loss of my paternal grandmother at a time when we spent most days concerned with the well being of Dad who was serving in Vietnam.
Grandma was a stern woman who did the best she could to raise those 6 girls and 1 boy. She was not warm and funny like my grandfather but always made certain if you visited that all your basic necessities were met. None of her (sometimes hard to take) personality traits changed the loss we felt at her unexpected death.
My maternal grandparents were a very important part of my life growing up. They visited us whenever they could no matter where we were stationed. I never really had a “home” as others know one, but when on leave my folks would say “we’re going home” I always knew that meant to visit Grandma and Grandpa.
Mom too came from a large family and when we would arrive “home” all were there to greet us..aunts, uncles, cousins friends. It was always quite a reunion and yes that’s what it was as there were times the absences were lengthy.
I am the oldest grandchild and my grandmother would inevitably, within an hour of arrival instruct me to “take the younger ones for a walk to see the reindeer” so final preparations could be made for the meal we would all share. Those plastic reindeer, those bib aprons, a glider swing and the amazing smells and sounds of their home all formed powerful memories.
Learning to iron was not a chore because Grandma taught me. Nothing was ever wasted..it was eaten, used or shared. Church on Sunday was expected and no argument for ever offered as everyone knew it would be promptly rejected.
My grandparents, with whom I could not share anywhere near as much time as I would have liked formed many of the values I carry today. Their love was unconditional and the respect they commanded was well deserved. Losing them was one of the most difficult and heartbreaking experiences of my life.
I cannot imagine as any of my grandparents were lying gravely ill that I would do this:
I just know I couldn’t!
Maybe this is the way the Senator deals with grief and for that I will pass no judgment. But, once again, IMHO this shows that Barack Obama puts himself first, even over and above the woman who raised and nurtured him.
The link above the video has more not only about the Senator’s grandmother but also his treatment of his own mother. Sometimes it’s not words but actions which speaks volumes about the character of a man or woman. This, I believe is one of those times.
Posted in Barack Obama, Common Decency, Compassion, Family, Grandmothers, Grandparents, Loved Ones, Sues Corner |
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Heartwarming
August 2nd, 2008
One can only imagine how appreciative the parents of these children must be:
When you hear that we had nothing whatsoever to do with the injuries sustained by these children and yet stop at nothing to help them recover, it reaffirms that the citizens of this country (be they military or civilian) are some of the most compassionate in the world.
HT:Classical Values where Simon provides a link to a site which accepts donations for this makeshift clinic.
Peace. Be Still.
July 14th, 2008
The past two weeks have been very draining on me emotionally, which then causes physical exhaustion such as I have never known before.
People in my family are sick and my phone has been popping with someone calling me about something important while I’m speaking to someone else about something important.
My step-mother has had major back surgery, my cousin is battling dementia and cancer and having a daughter who wants her to herself, my aunt on my father’s side is now in ICU because it looks as though she will need another bypass operation, my husband is still waiting for results from a capsule endoscopy after already having an endoscopy, colonoscopy and barium enema to determine where the bleeding is originating, my niece having problems which seem to be clearing up now and on and on.
We got a respite last Thursday when our son’s daughter flew in from Dallas and was here until Saturday, when we dropped her off to her other grandparents who had paid for her trip to visit with them for three weeks.
Thursday night we had three of our four grandchildren with us. We had offered to bring our other grandson from Texas to stay with us for the summer and perhaps take him to DC so he could see the museums and monuments, but his Mom said no because she wanted at least one child home this summer.
We thoroughly enjoyed having our grandchildren get to know each other as cousins as they don’t get together very often, but by Saturday I was completely wiped out. I went to bed Saturday night and couldn’t even get up to go to church on Sunday.
With all the commotion going on in my life I have had to turn it all over to Jesus because He is much stronger than I am. I had to quit fighting Him and stop worrying when worrying does no good anyway. I have received a great peace since then and now He is resting my mind and my body.
Jesus is my best Friend. He has promised He will never leave us or forsake us and that He will provide our needs.
I’ve been getting relaxation Sunday evening and this morning by listening to Southern Gospel music. It always soothes my soul because it is from the heart, as so much Southern music is.
I will leave you with two songs that have deeply moved me last night and this morning:
The first tells you how you can know Jesus too, and the second tells you and me what Jesus can do if we just let go and let God.
And now, listen and get the peace that passes all understanding.
We Need Your Prayers
May 21st, 2008
Our son just called us from Texas to tell us our daughter in law has been taken to the hospital by ambulance after passing out at work last night.
They now suspect an aneurysm in the brain since there apparently was some blood in her spinal fluid. This is a nightmare all over again, as I underwent the same tests when I was 27 years old, but my spinal fluid was clear. I also know it can mean a brain tumor, and I am asking anyone who reads this to please say a prayer for Lucy, that whatever it is will be healed by the Great Physician.
I thank all of you and will keep you updated.
Update: 8:17 am EDT I just spoke to Lucy. She said when she got to the hospital her blood pressure was 175 over something; she has numbness on the right side of her face and down her right arm. The blood indicates a slow bleed somewhere in her brain and she has already had a CT scan and is waiting for an MRI machine to free up so they can check to see whether she had a stroke or if there is something else going on in there.
Update 2, 12:15 PM EDT I just heard the most beautiful words from our son: “Mom, it’s basically nothing. She had what they called a complicated migraine and sinus infection.”
Thanks and praises to our wonderful Lord and Savior! Thanks to all who have responded with prayer. God has heard it and spared her for us once again.
Father of the Bride
May 8th, 2008
As Jenna Bush prepares to wed Henry Hager on Saturday in Crawford, TX, we take a look at what the president is doing to prepare:
All in good fun and we wish the newlyweds a long, happy and fruitful marriage. Our best to the father of the bride also.
All Grandmothers are Special
February 8th, 2008
And mine was no different. Today commemorates the nineteenth anniversary of the day she stepped out of time and into Heaven and eternity.
I thank God I was lucky enough to have had her for 41 years.
She taught me so much that I remember even now. Most of all she taught me how to die with dignity and made it a spiritual experience.
I love you, Grammy, and I always will. I’ll meet you at the Eastern Gate of Heaven when my time comes.
Mother May I
January 2nd, 2008
Have dinner with my family on New Years Day?
The more Fred Thompson talks, the closer I have come to supporting him for the GOP nomination.
While I was unhappy with the start of his candidacy, any politician who is willing to not feel beholden to the “mighty” MSM shows great courage.
Jane Skinner, at Fox News, does her best to challenge the former Senator with borderline ridiculous statements and questions, but Thompson leaves her spinning in the wind.
No matter the outcome in Iowa or for that matter in the race for the nomination, one thing is for certain, Fred will always have the memories of New Years Day dinner 2008 with his family.
My guess is, most potential caucus attendees were doing much the same, and those who were attempting to spread their message on January 1st no doubt had their words fall on deaf ears.
HT: Pundit Review
A Most Unusual Christmas
December 27th, 2007
Anyone who knows me knows I don’t get all tied up with the commercialism of Christmas. I love to give gifts more than receive them.
Christmas is not biblically correct anyway. There is no way shepherds would have been sleeping with their sheep in December, as the weather in that part of the world gets cold and I have read the sheep get put up for the winter by October.
The Bible does not tell us a specific date for when Christ was born, but it does give us the specific time He died, which was His main purpose when He left heaven to become God as man. We know His death and resurrection took place during Passover.
Some pope arbitrarily decided December 25 was a good date to celebrate the birth of Christ. Many Christians don’t feel comfortable celebrating Christmas at all because there is no biblical reference as to when it actually happened.
The three Wise Men had to have arrived quite a while after Jesus was born as Herod had all boys under the age of two killed to make sure he got Jesus, Whom he was afraid would take his throne. If the Wise Men had arrived at the birth of Christ Herod would have had infants only killed.
I get pleasure out of watching and hearing what my grandchildren got for gifts and seeing their happy faces and hearing their happy voices on the phone.
We had lunch with our daughter and family and then cooked our own meal the night after Christmas because we were all so stuffed from Christmas dinner at our daughter’s house.
On Christmas Eve I noticed my husband had what looked like a plumb in his right cheek. After checking it in better light and asking him how he felt he told me his top tooth that has a crown on it was hurting.
Knowing he probably had an abcess I called the dentist who called the pharmacy with a prescription for an anti-biotic. Several hours later the pharmacy claimed they didn’t have the prescription. This has happened before with them so I called the dentist again and told her what was going on and also told her the redness was going below the jaw line and he said his eye hurt.
She called back and said instead of leaving the message on the voice mail this time she waited to speak directly with the pharmacist and we could pick up the medicine in 15 minutes. She apologized to us for the pharmacy making the mistake.
Wednesday morning she called my husband and had him go to her office to have the tooth checked and X-rayed. She saw the abcess and is going to do a root canal on him on Dec. 31. This will give the infection time to go down too.
She will take off the existing crown, do the root canal, put the existing crown back for a few weeks and then put a new crown in there once she’s sure everything is fine.
This reminded me of the Christmas he had a hernia and couldn’t get off the couch. He soon had that repaired.
I had a busy day running to doctors’ appointments on Wednesday and today we are going to have an HD Tivo receiver and dish installed to replace one of our Tivo receivers and the dishes outside.
We have one TV that is HD compatible, but as we replace other TVs they will be HD compatible so we might as well be ready for it.
I think we have a free day Friday, and we’re looking forward to it.
Now if my husband will just stop being stubborn and go to the doctor to see why his foot hurts him so much I’d feel much better.
I hope you all had a Merry Christmas and wish you all a Happy New Year.
Peas, milk, and the wisdom of a child
December 22nd, 2007
Received this in an email a while back, (author unknown).
The Wooden Bowl A frail old man went to live with his son, daughter-in-law, and four-year -old grandson.
The old man’s hands trembled, his eyesight was blurred, and his step faltered.
The family ate together at the table. But the elderly grandfather’s shaky hands and failing sight made eating difficult.
Peas rolled off his spoon onto the floor.
When he grasped the glass, milk spilled on the tablecloth.
The son and daughter-in-law became irritated with the mess.
“We must do something about father,” said the son. “I’ve had enough of his spilled milk, noisy eating, and food on the floor.”
So the husband and wife set a small table in the corner.
There, Grandfather ate alone while the rest of the family enjoyed dinner.
Since Grandfather had broken a dish or two, his food was served in a wooden bowl.
When the family glanced in Grandfather’s direction, sometimes he had a tear in his eye as he sat alone.
Still, the only words the couple had for him were sharp admonitions when he dropped a fork or spilled food.
The four-year-old watched it all in silence.
One evening before supper, the father noticed his son playing with wood scraps on the floor.
He asked the child sweetly, “What are you making?” Just as sweetly, the boy responded,
“Oh, I am making a little bowl for you and Mama to eat your food in when I grow up.”
The four-year-old smiled and went back to work.The words so struck the parents so that they were speechless.
Then tears started to stream down their cheeks.
Though no word was spoken, both knew what must be done.
That evening the husband took Grandfather’s hand and gently led him back to the family table.
For the remainder of his days he ate every meal with the family.
And for some reason, neither husband nor wife seemed to care any longer when a fork was dropped, milk spilled, or the tablecloth soiled.
While simply written, there are many lessons to be learned from these words. When I hear people use the phrase “children learn what they live,” I nod in agreement.
When I see a son or daughter out and about with an aging parent assisting them with little things which may now be beyond their ability, I smile, often feeling as though I would like to approach them and say, “well done.”
Those who care for the elderly on a daily basis and do so with compassion and the patience sometimes necessary are to be commended.
Whether it be done by a child or those who have reached their twilight years, there is no tragedy associated with a glass of spilled milk or a few peas on the floor. The tragedy comes when we handle these things with anger and harsh words.
Don’t sweat the little things, life is far too short.
