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New Telescope

Posted by eph21920 on November 26, 2021 in Generosity, Grateful, New

When my mom and I arrived to visit my dad today, one of the caregivers who coordinates activities as well flagged us down. She had something to show us. She said she had been to Walmart for black Friday shopping early this morning and as she was headed for the “one thing” she was going to pick up, she came across a telescope and thought of my dad. So she bought it. My mom and I were somewhat speechless. We found my dad and went to his apartment for a visit. The caregiver came in a little later and presented the gift to my dad. He stared for a while taking it all in. Then he asked if you could connect a camera to it to take photos. Sure enough, it had a cell phone adapter included. He asked if there was a tripod. Yes, it has that too. She thought of everything. She said she hoped it would inspire him. She was going to set it up with him after our visit. At home, I found a couple of my dad’s old cell phones that we had kept. I put one on the charger and will bring it to our next visit to see if it works. I was just so surprised and moved at the young woman’s thoughtfulness and generosity.

I Found God today in a thoughtful and generous young woman.

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A Different Thanksgiving

Posted by eph21920 on November 25, 2021 in Family, Food, Grateful, Life, Relationship, Struggles

I was so grateful that my son and daughter in law offered to host Thanksgiving dinner this year. Yesterday my grandson came over and we made some desserts. All of them were brand new recipes. My grandson made brownies embellished with Andes candy. He had an idea and wanted to try it out. We made magic bars which was a staple at my daughter in law’s family Thanksgiving gatherings. And I made pumpkin pie from scratch. My sister usually makes them, but her husband wasn’t quite up to coming yet. I used her recipe and pumpkins from her garden. My dad’s place was offering a meal to the residents and we could go, but not eat with them due to COVID rules. We thought long and hard about how to best celebrate with him. This morning, I packed up some pumpkin pie, whipped cream, and magic bars and my mom and I headed up to see my dad. We got into his apartment and zoomed with the rest of the family while eating pumpkin pie. My dad was tired out after that and ready for a nap. So was my mom. In the afternoon, my mom and I went to my son’s house for the delicious huge meal. There was my son, his wife, their 3 kids, my other son, one of his roommates and girlfriend as neither of them traveled home this year, one sister, my mom, and I. Last year, everything was different because of COVID. This year, everything is different because of circumstances. But, different is OK. I’m grateful that I didn’t have to try to coordinate a meal at the house while doing something with my dad. I’m grateful that my children and grandchildren are so close and I can see them so often and hear their funny stories. I’m grateful for the abundance of food – not just today, but every day as we are never wanting. I’m grateful for siblings and family who remain close – if not in person, in relationship – even through our own individual struggles. I’m grateful for the people who are taking good care of my dad. Yesterday, one of them called to see if we could video chat as my dad was missing my mother. They always tell us how and what he’s doing. So, yes, it was a very different Thanksgiving. But I am reminded that I have so much to be thankful for.

I Found God today remembering all I have to be grateful for.

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Blessings of Chaplains

Posted by eph21920 on November 22, 2021 in Answer, Connected, Doctor, Faith, Peace

I received a follow-up email from my dad’s dentist who was there the other day. It included the bio’s of the individual dentists. According to his information, the man who saw my dad has a Masters degree in Divinity and is seeking to become a Chaplain as well. That didn’t surprise me at all as he had such a peaceful demeanor about him. It reminded me that 2 Sundays ago when we visited my dad, he said that he found out that his current assignment was to be the assistant to the chaplain. I told him that sounded like a great job. He evidently wasn’t as impressed as he said there would be no promotion from that and really anyone could do it. I disagreed and said you have to be very compassionate, patient, and caring to work with a chaplain. He thought about that a little while and I could see he was feeling more pleased with the situation. Later, I found out that he had spent quite a bit of time visiting with the Eucharistic Minister who brought him Communion that day. That got him thinking along that track. It’s always a surprise to see what my dad is doing or saying. I am glad he has the opportunity to spend time with people who are a blessing.

I Found God today thinking about the blessings of chaplains.

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TSO Again

Posted by eph21920 on November 21, 2021 in Angel, Children, Family, Jesus, Joy, Music

Tonight we continued the annual tradition of going to the Trans-Siberian Orchestra concert. My son purchased tickets for himself, his brother and family, and me as our Christmas gift. My sister was kind enough to come and stay with my mom. As my son said on the way home, TSO never disappoints. It was beautiful, exiting, and spiritual. I also loved seeing how much my grandchildren enjoyed it.

I Found God today enjoying a night out with family.

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Playing For Dad

Posted by eph21920 on November 20, 2021 in Connected, Family, Happiness, Joy, Music, Stranger

I have been encouraging my mom to bring some music when we visit my dad so she can play the piano for him. He always loves hearing her play. When they were younger, my mom’s best friend was my dad’s sister. When my mother would play the piano at their house, my dad would sit on the bench and turn the pages for her. I talked with the executive director at dad’s place and he told my mom she was welcome to play the piano any time she came. She is self conscious about her playing as she cannot perform the way she used to. But today, I packed one of the music books she has been practicing with and her piano glasses. When we arrived to visit my dad, we found him in the living room near the piano. Ironically, there was no one else in that space. It was the perfect opportunity. I got everyone and everything in place and my mom started to play. It put a smile on my dad’s face almost instantly. I asked if he wanted to turn the pages for her, but he said he would rather just listen. Before the first piece was finished, one of the residents pulled up a chair. A while later, a visitor brought her loved one in their wheelchair to listen to the music. After the concert, the woman who had pulled up a chair told my mom she was sorry she arrived late. She said her daughter was a piano teacher. The woman had also played, but could not any more as it was no longer in her head. One of the caregivers told me that one of the only times she comes out of her apartment is when there is live music. It was a joyful time. On the way home, my mom and I talked about it. The piano was out of tune and some keys wouldn’t play and she asked if it sounded too bad. I reminded mom that no matter how it sounded to her, the important thing is how meaningful it was to dad and others. Hopefully she will play more for them. We may have to donate a good piano tuning.

I Found God today seeing my mom’s music bring joy to others.

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Glad He’s Recovering

Posted by eph21920 on November 19, 2021 in Family, Grateful, Healing, Joy, Life, Prayer

My family was surprised when my sister announced that she and her husband were selling their farm. They got an offer on the house at just the right time. My brother in law unexpectedly had to have surgery. And right before that he threw his back out so badly that he couldn’t even stand up. He did have the surgery and received a shot in his back to try to alleviate some of the pain. Needless to say it has been a very hectic time for them. Today a friend came over and spent the day with my mom while I went to the farm and helped get some packing done. I was most happy to see my brother in law in person. He was weary but is recovering.

I Found God today seeing that my brother in law is recovering from surgery.

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Caring Dentist

Posted by eph21920 on November 18, 2021 in Doctor, Family, Generosity, Grateful, New, Struggles

Last week at the veterans day event, my dad smiled big and we noticed a gap in his teeth. I talked to the nurse and got him set up with the dentist who visits on a regular basis. It just happened that he was scheduled to come today. I actually met him as I was signing in so was able to chat with him a bit. Then I went to find my dad. He was doing his favorite activity – napping. I got him awake and in his comfy chair in his room for the appointment. The dentist was super nice and patient and knew just how to interact with my dad. It was quite an experience. They did some cleaning and took x-rays and everything. My dad was done by the end of the x-rays. Luckily so were they. The hole in his smile was a missing crown. Who knows what happened to it – probably got knocked out in one of his falls. The dentist will come back in a couple weeks to treat some cavities with a topical and prep the tooth to make a new crown. My dad got super confused about appointments – even asked about his sister’s appointment, but he did ok. I was so grateful to have this service available and that I met yet another team of caring people. Of course, the ordeal tired out my dad even more, so I got him comfortable to continue his nap when I left.

I Found God today grateful for a caring dental team.

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Great-grandma sitting

Posted by eph21920 on November 17, 2021 in Family, Fun, Happiness, Life, Relationship

I had two online meetings that I wanted to attend today, but I felt bad leaving my mom to tend to herself for that length of time. So I asked the family if anyone would like to come over and spend some time with her. Both my grandson’s came over for a couple of hours. They played “Sorry” with her, even though I warned them that she never loses. Well, they broke her winning streak. And they all told me that no one was really sorry. Then they played Chinese Checkers, which neither of them had played before. They really liked that game as there was a little more strategy involved. It meant a lot to my mom to spend that time with her two teenage great-grandsons. Or as she said, they were great-grandma sitting.

I Found God today as my grandsons and mother enjoyed time together.

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Another Unexpected Meeting

Posted by eph21920 on November 16, 2021 in Answer, Connected, Faith, Friends, Grateful, Joy, Life

A while ago a friend of mine said she had many Christian books that her mother had collected. She offered them to people who were interested. I said I would like some especially for my grandchildren. Today the box of books arrived. I enjoyed perusing them until I reached the bottom. The last book was a large illustrated story of Our Lady of Lourdes. The title was, “A Smile in the Grotto”. The introduction said, “…the message of Lourdes is joyful, dynamic, and realistic. It contains neither prophecies nor threats nor rebukes. It is the work of Mary, “the Smile of a God who loves us.” It did make me smile. I feel she always shows up for me when I need her the most.

I Found God today in another unexpected meeting with Our Lady of Lourdes.

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All Of Me

Posted by eph21920 on November 15, 2021 in Answer, Bible, Connected, Faith, Knowledge, Life, Opportunity, Prayer

As I thought more about my big birthday and what I wrote yesterday, I realized that while it is important to take good care of my body, it is equally as important to care for the rest of me. We talk about the human person being made up of body, mind, and soul. I would add emotion to that. I think our emotions are really a separate category. To me, the way I am “feeling” can be a result of how my body is feeling, or what I’m thinking about, or the current state of my soul. In any case, I tended more to my whole person today. I have been trying to add the Divine Office to my morning prayer routine. I’m doing my best to feed my soul by connecting with God before anything else. I had my Bible class tonight, so I was challenging my mind and nourishing my soul as well. Also today, I went to a caregiver’s group. This particular session is about processing your emotions, which is why I have been thinking about them. It came at a perfect time when I felt my emotions were running the show. Acknowledging and trying to understand what I’m feeling and why makes me more capable of managing my emotions. When I am able to take some time to take care of all of me, I am more at peace and hope it makes me a better person to others.

I Found God today realizing the importance of caring for all of me.

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