Mom had a stellar day today. When our friend was here, she went for a walk, finished the big puzzle they were working on, played the piano, and helped get lunch ready. She napped a little after that. Then we had a smoothie while she read and played some games on her iPad. She became tired again and laid down for a very restful hour long nap. After that she had good energy and sat outside, did some bedtime stretches and listened to a meditation before getting ready for bed. She moved well and ate well all day long. I thanked God that her anointing was so effective so quickly.
We were blessed to have the new priest from our parish come over to the house today. He was young, soft spoken, gentle, and caring. He talked with my mother for some time and asked her what she thought Heaven would be like. She said she pictured it as full of clouds with an organ in the middle surrounded by people in blue and white like the sky. The priest said they must all be waiting for her to come and play that organ. She laughed and agreed. She said she hopes that’s where she goes and not to the “other place”. He said that’s why he was here – to make sure she doesn’t go to the “other place”. He explained that he would annoint her, hear her Confession, and give her Holy Communion – Viaticum. In the past, that was a scary word that meant one was about to die at any moment. The priest explained that “Viaticum” means “provision for a journey”. As a person gets closer to leaving this life, Jesus in the Eucharist can bring strength, hope, peace for the transition to everlasting life. He said he would hear Confession of my sister and I also if we wanted. Granted, none of us were particularly prepared, but each of us did go to Confession. Then the priest said the prayers, dowsed is with Holy Water, put his hands on my mom’s head, annointed her, read scripture, and we all received Holy Communion. It was truly a gift. Later in the day, my mom said she had just been thinking that she had not been to Confession in a very long time and that she really wanted to go. The celebration did make her a little nervous, but she felt better afterwards. I was so grateful that the priest was able to provide some spiritual support and comfort to us all.
I Found God today in spiritual support and comfort.
We had a wonderful weekend here. My out of state brother came for a few days. One day, my other brother, sister and her husband came to the house as well. We took advantage of the opportunity to celebrate my brother’s birthday, which is next week. While the siblings were together, we looked through some of my dad’s boxes of stuff. He saved everything. There was a folder of his military assignments and moving paperwork. Another folder held the notes and accolades of his briefings to high ranking international leaders. There was also a box of funny cartoons clipped from magazines and newspapers – all categorized by topic such as weather, physics, and math. He likely used them in the college courses he taught. We enjoyed looking through the interesting memories and continued to be in awe of my dad’s marvelous mind. Yesterday, my son had a party at his house. I was able to go for a while and met more of his friends and his girlfriend’s parents. Everyone was very nice. My other son and his family were there too, so I was really glad to visit with them all. We have been trying not to overwhelm my mom too much. She enjoyed having her children all around, but she did get tired. Even so, she got up this morning with plenty of energy. By this afternoon everyone had gone and things quieted down. It was truly a wonderful weekend.
I Found God today visiting with all my family while keeping things more simple for my mom.
Today’s Gospel reading was when Jesus told Peter, “Get behind me, satan.” which is shocking. Only a couple of verses before, Jesus built His Church on Peter. There are a couple of things that really stood out to me from the readings and homily. First was that Peter must have felt pretty great that he was going to be the head of the Church, though perhaps he was overwhelmed. And then, he makes this big mistake of trying to prompt Jesus to do what he wants, what he thinks is best. But, that didn’t stop Jesus from following through and having Peter do exactly what he was called to do. So, I can rest assured that the big mistakes I make won’t stop Jesus from doing a good work in me. Second, Peter was being an obstacle to Jesus in this Gospel. Jesus told him to physically get behind Him and not try to stop Him from doing what must be done. I know there are many times when I jump in front of Jesus and try to tell Him what I want, to go where I think He should – as if I know best. This reading was a reminder that my relationship with Christ is as a follower. I trust where He is leading because He loves me, and I follow. I do not want to be an obstacle in His perfect and mighty plan.
I Found God today in a reminder not to be an obstacle.
I went out for a short walk today and came across a young man walking his dog. I could see we were going to cross paths, so I sped up a bit to respect their space. As I was in front of them now, the young man said, “Hello!” very loudly. I turned around and he was in fact talking to me. I said hello back and asked how his day was going. It was then that I got a good look at the dog. He was a poodle, or a mix of one. He was white with black spots and shaved pretty closely, except for the black fluff on the top of his head that kind of looked like a hat. I told the young man I liked his dog and he sped up so I could give him a pet. He said he was a party poodle. I had to ask him to repeat it, which he did. A party poodle. He said the dog really liked people and was very kind. That made me laugh and smile all day every time I thought about it.
Friday is shower day for mom and, much to her dismay, a CNA comes to bathe her. This morning a new woman came who we had not met before. Again, I was not happy with a change, but know I must trust them and God who is taking care of everything. Knowing how much my mom dislikes it also, I have debated with myself whether to continue this service. Turns out the CNA was German. She and my mom had a bit of fun speaking German to each other and talking about Germany. She also spotted a couple of skin issues that she pointed out to me and will pass along to her nurse. It was verification that it is necessary to allow other people in to help, which eases the burden on both me and my mom. I was grateful today for the CNA – her presence, kindness, and professionalism.
I saw the scripture Isaiah 41:13 in an email I received today, “For I, the Lord your God hold your right hand. It is I who say to you Fear Not. I am the One who helps you.” It sounded very familiar to me. Then I remembered a prayer card we received in the mail that we are saying many evenings after dinner. “Do not fear: I am with you; do not be anxious: I am your God. I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with My victorious right hand.” Isaiah 41:10. These are comforting words. It is also encouraging to know that someone as close to God as Isaiah still went through times when he needed God’s reassurance. The card includes a personal prayer on the back that it is our response to God’s comfort, “Almighty God, I am grateful for Your many blessings and trust in Your ultimate plan for us, Please shine Your light on me and surround me with Your love. Grant me renewed spirit as I face life’s challenges, with renewed hope and strength along the way. Amen.”
It is difficult to see my mom struggling with anxiety more often now. Most of the cause is that she realizes she isn’t getting any better and is feeling that someone somewhere should be able to do something. Her nurse came today and they had a really good conversation. My mom typically will not talk too much and will just say everything is ok. But today, she told the nurse all about how she felt and that she wishes there was a magic pill that would make her feel better. The nurse was so patient, yet honest as they discussed the symptoms, effects, and progression of Parkinson’s Disease. In the end, my mom said she felt a little better knowing that we can call the nurse when she feels super bad. The nurse also gave us a few more tips. To me, it was reassuring to talk with someone who understood. We were assigned a new nurse and this was only the 2nd time she has seen my mom. I don’t do well with changes like that, but I was determined not to let it upset me. I thanked God for the new nurse and her wisdom before we met her. It turns out that her father had Parkinson’s, so she has had a lot of experience. Today I was particularly grateful for her.
I Found God today in our new nurse and the good conversation she had with my mom.
I chatted with a friend of mine today who is caring for her mother at home. She has had several cancer treatments in the past couple of years in her late 80’s, but is doing well right now. Her father, on the other hand, is struggling. Her parents have been divorced for many years now and her dad has been in and out of their lives. Even though he has not been an exemplary father, my friend and her siblings are all going to make a trip to see him. They will assess the situation and help get him set up with whatever assistance he needs. I told her I admired how she and her siblings are banding together to care for him, instead of abandoning him. She said they are just trying to do the right thing. Yes, they certainly are.
I Found God today inspired by the selflessness and love of my friend and her siblings.
Today is the Feast Day of St. Augustine of Hippo. A friend posted a wonderful quote from him:
“Hope has two beautiful daughters; their names are anger and courage. Anger at the way things are, and courage to see that they do not remain as they are.”
