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The Recliner

Posted by eph21920 on April 13, 2024 in Answer, Family, Grateful, Rest

Mom has been getting more and more sleepy during the day, but doesn’t necessarily want to be in bed. She has tried to get comfortable on the sofa either lying down or propped up, but it hasn’t worked out very well. I have asked a couple of times if she would like her little recliner brought up from the lower level, but she says no. After a few more days of agitation and unable to get comfortable, I asked my son if he would come over and move it for us.  He came over today and together we heaved it up the stairs. Once everything was in place, I asked my mom if she would try it out. She sat down in it fine, even though it rocks a bit. I put her legs up and reclined the back for her. It took about 2 minutes for her to sink into the familiar chair and close her eyes. She rested comfortably while my son and I chatted. It was a welcomed sight.

I Found God today helping my mom be comfortable.

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Best Places to Visit

Posted by eph21920 on April 12, 2024 in Connected, Family, Fun, Travel

Today we found a show that highlighted the 50 best places to visit in the United States. We got about half way through as we watched a couple of different times. Out of those that we saw, my mom had been to all but 1 of them. It was a good exercise for her to remember those different places that she had been. And it helped to realize what a full and exciting life she has had.

I Found God today reminiscing with my mom.

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Personal Pray-er

Posted by eph21920 on April 11, 2024 in Answer, Faith, Friends, Grateful, Life, Struggles

Many months ago, I started meeting with a Stephen Minister. This is someone who is trained to walk along the journey with someone perhaps going through a hard time. It is spiritual in nature, but how much is up to the participants. I usually meet with my Stephen Minister every week, but we missed a couple weeks due to different circumstances. I was happy to meet with her on Zoom tonight. As I recounted events over the past few weeks, it helped me to realize how much God is caring for us. I was grateful for that insight. At the end of our session, she prayers for and with me in very personal and specific ways. It is so comforting.

I Found God today in personal prayer.

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Blessed Pilgrimage

Posted by eph21920 on April 10, 2024 in Children, Friends, Life, Opportunity

A friend of mine and her husband have made a few walking pilgrimages in Europe. They other day they started a new route called Camino Portuguese which is an alternate route for the Camino de Santiago – the Way of St. James. This time, they brought their 10 year old grandson with them. My friend is really good about updating social media every day where she shares all the details. They usually walk an average of 10-12 miles a day and stay in hostels along the way. She described what a blessing it is for her and hehe husband to see this adventure through the eyes of their grandson. And I can only imagine what a huge impact this trip will make on him. I really enjoy reading her updates and virtually take the pilgrimage with them.

I Found God today in the blessed experience my friend, her husband, and her grandson are experiencing.

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Dizzy Relief

Posted by eph21920 on April 9, 2024 in Answer, Doctor, Family, Happiness, Healing, New

My daughter in law has been suffering from dizziness on and off for many years. She has been to several doctors who have not been able to help her. Recently, a chiropractor friend of theirs recommended a doctor for her. She has seen him a couple of times now and I talked with her about it today.  The doctor found that she is having some difficulty with the right side of her head, neck, and eyes. He is doing neurological treatments for her and gave her exercises to do at home. From the very first treatment, she has received some relief. She said it has been such a long time since she felt “normal” that she almost forgot what it felt like. And she can already tell the difference it makes when she does the exercises. She was elated that this doctor is actually helping her. I am just so happy for her.

I Found God today in the relief my daughter in law is receiving.

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Sharing Eclipse

Posted by eph21920 on April 8, 2024 in Connected, Creation, Family, Friends, Grateful, Present, Weather

I was excited to see the eclipse today, even though we weren’t in the path of totality. I found our glasses that we used in the past and got ready for our 79% coverage.  My siblings were texting as one brother was camped near Dallas and hoping the clouds would disperse. My other brother planned a trip to Dallas, but cancelled due to the cloudy forecast. A group of friends were also texting as one was in Dallas and another was in Arkansas. It was fun hearing and seeing everyone’s experiences. My brother got a very nice picture of the diamond ring to add to his collection. I made a pinhole projector in a pizza box so I could share my own photo. Unfortunately my mom was very tired today and slept through the whole event. At one point, the familiar prescription delivery woman came. I asked if she had seen the eclipse. She had not. So I invited her to use some glasses and take a look. She was amazed. She said I had given her a very special blessing. I was happy that it meant so much to her. This natural, though somewhat rare phenomenon urges millions of people to look up and witness a spectacle that is incredible and exciting. No person can replicate, control, or alter the event. To me, it is also another way to demonstrate what an awesome world we live in and how we all hang in the balance.

I Found God today sharing the amazement of an eclipse.

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Litany of Trust

Posted by eph21920 on April 7, 2024 in Faith, Jesus, Mercy, Prayer, Trust

On this Divine Mercy Sunday, I was reading and listening to reflections by St. Faustina who was given the image of the Divine Mercy to share with the world. I came across a Litany of Trust. It was written by a Sister of Life who took the name of Faustina. This litany touched my heart as I continue to struggle with trusting God. The prayer basically went through everything that keeps us from surrendering to Him. Here is the prayer:

From the belief that
I have to earn Your love
Deliver me, Jesus.
From the fear that I am unlovable
Deliver me, Jesus.
From the false security
that I have what it takes
Deliver me, Jesus.
From the fear that trusting You
will leave me more destitute
Deliver me, Jesus.
From all suspicion of
Your words and promises
Deliver me, Jesus.
From the rebellion against
childlike dependency on You
Deliver me, Jesus.
From refusals and reluctances
in accepting Your will
Deliver me, Jesus.
From anxiety about the future
Deliver me, Jesus.
From resentment or excessive
preoccupation with the past
Deliver me, Jesus.
From restless self-seeking
in the present moment
Deliver me, Jesus.
From disbelief in Your love and presence
Deliver me, Jesus.
From the fear of being asked
to give more than I have
Deliver me, Jesus.
From the belief that my life
has no meaning or worth
Deliver me, Jesus.
From the fear of what love demands
Deliver me, Jesus.
From discouragement
Deliver me, Jesus.
That You are continually holding me,
sustaining me, loving me
Jesus, I trust in You.
That Your love goes deeper than my
sins and failings and transforms me
Jesus, I trust in You.
That not knowing what tomorrow
brings is an invitation to lean on You
Jesus, I trust in You.
That You are with me in my suffering
Jesus, I trust in You.
That my suffering, united to Your own,
will bear fruit in this life and the next
Jesus, I trust in You.
That You will not leave me orphan,
that You are present in Your Church
Jesus, I trust in You.
That Your plan is better
than anything else
Jesus, I trust in You.
That You always hear me and in
Your goodness always respond to me
Jesus, I trust in You.
That You give me the grace to accept
forgiveness and to forgive others
Jesus, I trust in You.
That You give me all the strength
I need for what is asked
Jesus, I trust in You.
That my life is a gift
Jesus, I trust in You.
That You will teach me to trust You
Jesus, I trust in You.
That You are my Lord and my God
Jesus, I trust in You.
That I am Your beloved one
Jesus, I trust in You

I Found God today in a Litany of Trust.

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So Much Help

Posted by eph21920 on April 6, 2024 in Answer, Family, Friends, Grateful, Home, Life

When we left the house last week, we wanted to make sure it was ready for the roofers. We took the pictures off the walls and put several knick knacks away to make sure nothing would fall and break. It was so nice to get home yesterday, but the house was in a bit of a shambles. Yesterday afternoon a caregiver came for a couple of hours and helped do laundry and dust off wall hangings while my mom was napping. Today my son came over and put the big pictures back on the walls after my sister and I cleaned them. My mom dusted off some of the knick knacks and made sure we put things away in the right place. In the afternoon the housekeeper came and gave the whole house a good cleaning. At the same time, there were a couple technical issues at the cabin. So my other son and grandson went up there and resolved the problems. I was very grateful today for all the helpful people.

I Found God today in so much help.

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Finally Home

Posted by eph21920 on April 5, 2024 in Family, Grateful, Home, Life, Struggles

I stopped by the house last night and saw that the workers had finished replacing our roof. I was elated and excited to finally go back home today. Mom has been saying for a couple of days that she wants to go home, but sometimes she says that  even when we are at home – part of dementia. I think mostly it is an unsettled feeling that she has that she can’t really articulate. So, we packed up this morning after breakfast and headed home. Our driveway was clear and cleaned which was a nice welcome. Inside, the house was somewhat of a disaster. There were stacks of pictures and such all around as we had pulled everything off the walls. Mom commented on how bare the walls were. I’m grateful that the housekeeper is coming tomorrow so we can get everything cleaned and back in place. After a busy morning, my mom was exhausted. She took a long afternoon nap and just wanted to go back to bed after dinner. All in all, I would say the hotel adventure was alright. The biggest challenge was trying to get decent sleep. But, the room was comfortable and easy to maneuver. I was able to cater to Mom the majority of the time since I didn’t have anything else that needed to be done. We ate leftovers the whole time and somehow still had food to bring home. Mom was a trooper – as my sister says – and hopefully it won’t take too long for her to get comfortable in her home. I am grateful to be back.

I Found God today coming back home.

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An Outing

Posted by eph21920 on April 4, 2024 in Family, Grateful, Shopping

After another good night’s sleep, my mom had good energy this morning. It was a sunny, beautiful day so I thought it would be good to get my mom -and myself- out of the hotel room. Not too far away was Scheels sporting goods store. I got my mom bundled up so she wouldn’t get cold, got her comfortable in the wheelchair, and off we went. Just outside the entrance, we were greeted by big bronze statues of presidents. We passed by Ronald Reagan and mom pointed out Abraham Lincoln. Once inside we stopped at the 3-tiered aquarium and watched the fish for a while. Then we went by the ferris wheel, which wasn’t running at the time. We went to the upper level and looked at the wildlife display and the amazing candy store. When we went back down, the ferris wheel was running. We stopped to watch and the man taking tickets struck up a conversation. I told him we were on an outing. He asked my mom if she had been on a Ferris wheel before. She said she had. He asked if maybe she would like to take a ride in that one. She thought about it as I made the “no” sign to the man. It was a kind offer, but in reality mom would have been very scared. We decided maybe another day. Then the man gave us some coupons for free drinks in their cafe. We thanked him and enjoyed a milkshake. On the way back the sun was warmer and we had a good view of the mountains. It was a beautiful day and I was so glad to get mom out for a while.

I Found God today enjoying an outing.

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