Leave a comment

Story of Acceptance

Posted by eph21920 on September 11, 2021 in Children, Connected, Faith, Friends, Life, Stranger

I was happy to have a long conversation with a good friend today. She told me about many ways she has found God since the last time we talked. My favorite story happened during one of her camping trips. She and her people were camped on one side of a narrow part of a lake. On the opposite side was a group of Muslims wearing their traditional clothing. My friend had wished they were camped next to them as she wanted to talk with them. She recognized the tendency to be quick to judge and wanted to move past that. One day, she took two of the kids out for a swim to the other side of the narrow waterway. When they reached the other side, they stood at the water’s edge and waved so their mom knew they made it ok. As they started to head back, one of the Muslim children dragged out her boogie board and asked if she could join them. She was welcomed and my friend asked her name. It was Heba. My friend asked what it meant. The reply was “gift from God”. As the group enjoyed playing in the water together, the little boy told his new friend that he liked her swimming suit. She was also wearing the burka and was mostly covered but the little boy, who is being raised in a devout Christian home, just saw it as a swim suit. The story reminded me that at our core, we are all God’s children and is possible and necessary for us to treat each other as such.

I Found God today in a story of acceptance.

Permalink
Leave a comment

Re-Scheduling

Posted by eph21920 on September 10, 2021 in Answer, Grateful, Hope, Plan, Problem

We have been trying to find a good time to visit with my dad while he is still getting settled into his new surroundings. It seems he has been getting up at night and wandering or rearranging his room. If we go to visit mid-morning, he’s fast asleep. If we go later in the afternoon, he may be napping again and we reach sundowning time. But, the people there continue to tell us that he is doing well, that it’s normal to get more confused after a move, and that it will take some time. I had a good conversation with the nurse and the physical therapist yesterday who have been aware of the situation. We talked about how to tweak his bedtime routine. And my dad will be receiving physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech therapy 5 days a week, which I was happy to hear. The hope is getting him engaged and moving will keep him more awake during the day and tired to sleep more during the night. This morning my mom and I made it up to his place a bit earlier. He was in fact a little more awake and a little more lucid. I got out the ice cream I had stashed in his freezer and he and my mom enjoyed a treat together. He did get tired and nod off toward the end of the visit, but was able to rouse himself for lunch. It was a nice morning. We continue to be grateful for the place and encouraged by the people.

I Found God today seeing my dad a little more awake and aware.

Permalink
Leave a comment

Five Things

Posted by eph21920 on September 9, 2021 in Answer, Connected, Faith, Friends, Happiness, Prayer, Relationship, Struggles

A good friend has been on the front of my mind the past couple of days. Today I reached out to her and told her I missed her. We chatted a bit and promised to get together. Later, I checked the mail and found I had received a card from her. It read, “Five Things God wants you to remember in trying times: You’re never, ever alone. Nothing takes Him by surprise. When you’re weak, He’s strong. He’s the God of new beginnings. His love never gives up on us.” I cried a little at the beautiful words and the connection that I always have with my friend.

I Found God today in beautiful words of wisdom and a connection with a friend.

Permalink
Leave a comment

First School Days

Posted by eph21920 on September 8, 2021 in Children, Connected, Family, Friends, Grateful, Joy, Life, New

My son and his family are still waiting to get into the house that they contracted to rent due to unforeseen circumstance. Luckily, that hasn’t stopped the kids from starting school. Yesterday my grandson started his freshman year at the high school less than a mile from our house. He had a smile on his face for his photo and touched base with his parents during the day to let them know that he was enjoying his experience. Today my granddaughter started first grade at the school practically across the street from the house. It occurred to me that it was her true first day of school since Kindergarten was all online. I was so happy to be able to walk with them to drop her off and pick her up as well. At the corner of the housing complex, a couple cares for their granddaughter during the day while her parents work. It just so happened that she also started first grade in that school. We introduced the girls and my granddaughter was even placed in the same classroom. When we were walking back after school, the girls left hold of the adults and held hands with each other. It was so sweet. I feel so blessed indeed to be a part of this joy.

I Found God today as my grandchildren enjoyed beginning school.

Permalink
Leave a comment

Returning Hope

Posted by eph21920 on September 7, 2021 in Children, Family, Grateful, Hope, Joy, Life

I read a meditation by Matthew Kelly today that really spoke to my heart:
“We lose sight of all the good and get consumed by the turmoil we are embroiled in. We are tempted at these times to think that life will never be good again. This is the perspective that steals away our hope. The whole truth is that life is messy, but it is also wonderful and beautiful and awe-inspiring.”
I thought about how true this statement is and how grateful I am for the day. Today, my mom was able to do some of her exercises that she hasn’t been able to do for a very long time. My granddaughter spent a few hours with us while her parents had errands to run. We all had lunch at the park and she played on the playground. Later, my mom, brother, and I visited my dad. So, yes, the day included some turmoil, but it also included joy. I am grateful for it all and that my hope is returning.

I Found God today in returning hope.

Permalink
Leave a comment

Holding Hands

Posted by eph21920 on September 6, 2021 in Children, Connected, Family, Happiness, Love, Relationship

The other day, when my granddaughter and I went outside, she grabbed ahold of my hand. I forgot what it felt like to have a child’s hand in mine. My heart melted. She did the same thing today when we were out shopping for back to school supplies. Later, my mom and I went to visit my dad. We bought my dad an oversized arm chair that he sat in and moved over for my mom to join him. As they were both squeezed into the chair, my mom reached for his hand. I recognized the loving feeling that comes with that most simple gesture.

I Found God today in the loving feeling that comes from holding hands.

Permalink
Leave a comment

Simply Enjoying

Posted by eph21920 on September 5, 2021 in Creation, Joy, Life, Opportunity

This afternoon, my sisters took my mom to visit my dad. There I was, in the house, without a parent. I don’t even know when the last time that happened. It was a beautiful day, so I decided to take a walk. I went down to a nearby park. Evidently, most people in the city went to the mountains for the day or long weekend, because it was unusually quiet. I tried to stay in the shade as the sky was clear and the sun was hot. Once at the park, I followed a tree line and noticed a big pine tree with low hanging branches. One was just the right height to sit upon. So I sat there for a while. When it got too hard, I moved to the shaded grass underneath the tree. I watched a man playing baseball with a child. There were a couple of kids playing leapfrog on the large boulders. Several different kinds of birds seemed to be arguing over a certain area of grass. I enjoyed just emptying my mind for a few minutes and enjoying what was happening around me.

I Found God today simply enjoying a few moments.

Permalink
Leave a comment

Cleaning Day

Posted by eph21920 on September 4, 2021 in Family, Happiness, Home, Life

It has been way too long since this house has had a good cleaning. I decided this morning that is how I would spend the day. I was even able to recruit my brother and sister to do some vacuuming and dusting. I guess amidst what feels like chaos every day, cleaning helps me to feel like I can actually have some control over something. By the end of the day everything was shiny and sparkly. But alas, bathrooms got used and floors got walked on. I realized I don’t really have that much control after all. But getting things all cleaned up, even for a little while, felt pretty good.

I Found God today getting things cleaned up.

Permalink
Leave a comment

Caregiving Culture

Posted by eph21920 on September 3, 2021 in Doctor, Family, Life, Relationship

As I was thinking about what to write this evening, I started looking back through my communications with my siblings beginning when my dad was in the hospital. When I read them, it put me right back in that hospital room trying desperately to keep my dad awake so he would sleep through the night. My mom and I went to visit dad today and he is having the same sleep issues as he was then. He had been up again wandering during the night and was fast asleep when we arrived. I was able to talk with the caregivers there and his new PCP who saw him the other day. Everyone is aware of the situation and working on trying to reset his clock. They said it’s very common when someone with dementia moves to a new place and is disoriented and more confused. The obvious difference in his current facility is that they are more gentle and allow my dad more freedom to do whatever suits him. We’ll have to wait it out a bit to see if he settles into a schedule. Later, my mom had physical therapy because she gets so dizzy. I told her of my dad’s situation and the team of people at the facility. She said it sounds like caregiving is the culture there. I thought that was a good description. Every employee is involved in overseeing the residents – the CNA’s, caregivers, nurses, laundry people, cooks, and even the executive director himself – and there seems to be a beautiful flow in the process.

I Found God today in the “caregiving culture” of my dad’s facility.

Permalink
Leave a comment

Not a Great Day

Posted by eph21920 on September 2, 2021 in Answer, Family, Grateful, Hope, Life, Struggles

When I arrived to visit my dad today, he was in one of the big living rooms looking for his keys. He said he was dizzy and sat down and went right to sleep. I was informed that he had been up most of the night rearranging the pictures on the walls. When he was somewhat awake, he just wanted to get in the car and go home. It was a little disheartening as yesterday’s visit went so well and the executive director was even commenting on how well my dad was transitioning. You just never know what each day will bring. But again, the people at the facility went out of their way to be encouraging. They said it’s normal behavior for someone who is new and that my dad will be OK. They asked more about my dad so they can best care for him. As I was leaving, in the parking lot the activity coordinator and a couple of the caregivers were having lunch in their car. I was surprised that they beckoned me over to chat when they weren’t actually working. We talked more about what kinds of things that may help to keep my dad engaged. They also said not to worry and that there are a lot of people watching over him. They also encouraged me to make sure I am taking a break and caring for myself. While it wasn’t a great day for my dad, I still left feeling hopeful and supported.

I Found God today in encouraging caregivers.

Permalink