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Made the Visit

Posted by eph21920 on October 17, 2022 in Friends, Healing, Relationship, Struggles

With her daughter’s encouragement, my mom’s friend had minor surgery to lift her eyelids last week so she could see better. The surgery went very well, but it left her with some bruises around her eyes. She called yesterday and wondered if she should still come over since she looked like Boris Karloff. She didn’t want my mom to worry about her, but mom wanted her to come. This morning, my mom didn’t feel well and wondered if she should have her friend over at all. I encouraged her to let her come as she always feels better when she visits. So, my mom’s friend did come over. They both had a nice visit and as a bonus, played the piano together very well. I was glad they got together after they were both hesitant.

I Found God today in a well deserved visit for my mom and her friend.

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The Gardens in Fall

Posted by eph21920 on October 16, 2022 in Creation, Family, Fun, Grateful

Yesterday I went to visit my sister and her husband. It was a beautiful Fall day, so my sister and I went to the Botanical Gardens. Our first stop was the orchid show. I took lots of photos of the unique orchids to show my mom. Outside, there was certainly a different kind of beauty with only a few flowers still in bloom and the leaves changing on the trees. It was also decorated for Halloween. We left when the gardens closed and got some dinner at a cute and popular Italian restaurant down the street. Then we returned for the “Ghosts in the Garden”. We got to see yet another kind of beauty in the gardens at sunset and in the dark. Plus they had people telling spooky ghost stories to add to the ambiance. It was a fun day and I was glad I was able to spend the time getting out.

I Found God today getting out and enjoying nature in different situations.

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Look to the Littles

Posted by eph21920 on October 14, 2022 in Children, Family, Happiness, Joy, Life

A friend of mine is a teacher. She said she has been having a very difficult year so far and has been very stressed out. However, her day was brightened today with a couple of unexpected interactions with some of the kids. She was reminded to just look to the littles for happiness.

I Found God today in the joy that children can bring.

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Excited For Help

Posted by eph21920 on October 13, 2022 in Answer, Doctor, Family, Grateful, Home

When we last visited my mom’s new primary care physician, she recommended a few sessions of in home therapies. The provider came today to assess mom and see how they could best help her. She was super nice, observant, patient, caring, and knowledgeable. My mom played the piano for her and she was very impressed. She said continually playing is the best thing my mom can do for herself. After watching and listening to my mom, the woman noted some areas that needed some work. But in general, she told my mom that she is doing great and to keep up the good work. She was very encouraging and my mom is looking forward to having some visitors who will help her to keep as strong and functioning as possible.

I Found God today in an encouraging home health visit.

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New Friend

Posted by eph21920 on October 12, 2022 in Answer, Connected, Friends, Grateful, Life, Struggles

This was the 2nd week I attended a grief support group at my church. As I was going in, I met up with another participant and her mother, so I chatted with them as we walked to the room. We got to know people a little bit better as we were talking about our circumstances and emotions. The woman I walked in with and I realized that we had an awful lot in common. We talked quite a bit when the group ended and exchanged information. I thought perhaps God put her there for me, or me for her, or perhaps us for one another. No matter really, we were both happy to talk with someone who understood exactly what we meant and were feeling.

I Found God today in a new friend.

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Peaceful Cabin Trip

Posted by eph21920 on October 11, 2022 in Answer, Creation, Family, Grateful, Life, Peace

The last time we went to the cabin, my mom was having a very difficult time getting into the bathroom. She’s a little more unstable than she was and the walk through doorways are super small, so her walker wouldn’t fit through. Determined to resolve the issue, I found a smaller, lighter, 3-wheeled walker online that I thought would work and ordered it. Today was a beautiful Fall day, so my mom and I packed up the new little walker among other things and made the trip up to the cabin. On the way, we passed groves of Aspen trees. Some had lost their leaves already, but many were shimmering gold. It was beautiful. When we arrived, mom was excited to try out her new little walker. Before I knew it, she was in and out of the doorways and walking all around. She loved the way the new walker maneuvered in the tight spaces. Soon she found a half finished puzzle that we left on the table and got busy finishing it. We had lunch, took care of a couple things, and just enjoyed the place for a while before we headed back. As my mom put it, it was a very peaceful trip. I agreed.

I Found God today in a peaceful trip to the cabin.

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Not a Saint

Posted by eph21920 on October 10, 2022 in Answer, Connected, Death, Faith, Grief, Saint

For the past week, I have been listening to a biography of St. Therese of Lisieux’s parents – Sts. Louis and Zelie Martin. They were extraordinary parents who served God faithfully through the joys and sorrows of their lives. Even though from their youth they wanted to be consecrated to God and not marry, circumstances changed and they received the honor of being the first married couple to be canonized together. Last night I heard about the end of Louis’ life. After his wife Zelie died, he raised 5 daughters until each of them decided to join the convent. As he aged, Louis started having delusions and memory loss. His final surrender to God was to give Him his mind. When things got too bad, the family was saddened to have Louis admitted into an asylum, which was the option there was at that time. I felt God had given me this story in particular to speak to my heart. I carry a tremendous amount of guilt that I was unable to care for my dad at home until the end of his life. After listening to the life of this incredibly holy, saintly family, I realized that if they couldn’t care for their father who they loved tremendously in his condition, what makes me think that I could. After all, I am nowhere near being a saint. I was just doing the best I could. This realization gave me some comfort to know that I do love my father, I did do the best I could, that it was incredibly difficult, and that I need to surrender the guilt.

I Found God today in a saintly family who reminded me that I am not.

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Grateful Heart

Posted by eph21920 on October 9, 2022 in Answer, Bible, Family, Grateful, Life

My mother is probably the most grateful person I know. She constantly thanks everyone for everything they do for her and she truly means it. During the day she will thank me for meals, for helping her, for taking her places, even for the pills she has to take. She thanks my sister and I every night for “all the things you girls do for me”. I pray I would have that kind of gratitude. I have said it before – I can easily get caught up in the problems and trials of this life instead of being grateful for the many, many blessings God has provided us as well as the many helpful, caring, prayerful people who are in my life. Today’s Mass readings touched on this theme of gratefulness. A group of 10 lepers came to Jesus for help. Jesus cured them while they were on the road, but only 1 returned to thank Him. I can desire God to work in my life in spectacular ways, which He certainly has done. But the reality is that He supplies me with all I need, every day. The food we eat, the home we have, the family close by, the ability to care for mom, the doctors who treat her, the friends in my life, and on, even to waking up in the morning and the breath in my lungs. He sustains me, is with me, and loves me each moment. That is worth more gratitude than I am even capable of, and so it is necessary to thank Him for everything I can think of every day.

I Found God today in a grateful heart.

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Racing

Posted by eph21920 on October 8, 2022 in Uncategorized

I had promised my teenage grandson an adventure for his birthday. He chose to go to the indoor go-cart track and race. Today the schedules worked out and we were able to go. Neither of us had been there before and were excited to try it out. We got all checked in and received our head socks. Then we watched the races ahead of us and took mental notes. My grandson kept saying he was going to crash as he had never done it before and I kept trying to encourage him. When our turn came up, we watched the “training video”, learned all about what to do, put on our helmets, and got strapped into our go-carts. I just happened to be in the first car of the line up. I already strategized that I would take off and leave everyone in my dust. However, when the green flag was waved, the 4 of us made a couple of turns and crashed. Once we got untangled, my grandson who was right behind me sped past, as well as the other 3 drivers. So much for my strategy. At the end of the race, my grandson came in 2nd place and I came in 4th. I was so happy for him that he did so well and he was pretty proud of himself too. It was entertaining and exhilarating. The best part was that we got to spend some fun, quality time together.

I Found God today enjoying a fun time with my grandson.

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Whatever You Want Day

Posted by eph21920 on October 7, 2022 in Family, Humor, Life

It was a cold, foggy, drizzly day today. Mom asked this morning what was on the agenda. I answered that there was nothing on the calendar, no appointments, no commitments. Mom could do whatever she wanted to. The day went something like this – “Do you mind if I play the piano?” Of course, I never do, but answered, “It’s whatever you want day!” “I would like to exercise.” “I can’t eat anymore.” “I’m going to take a nap.” “Can we turn the heat?” “I would like to watch TV.” “I would like some ice cream.” Every response was the same. “It’s whatever you want day!” Which is very different from every other day . . .

I Found God today reminding my mom that she can do whatever she wants.

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