Friday, 5/13/22

These posts are definitely not going to be published at the same time each day. There's nothing super exciting going on here, so once the doctor updates us, that's all we've got for you. It does take me a long time to write anything, though, so it will definitely vary day to day. 

Today, the doctor asked mom if she was in pain or bleeding or feeling badly in any way. She is not, and her appetite is good. Her blood counts have improved slightly, which is encouraging.  He was pleased that she has been walking, which we are doing several times a day.  She has to bring her IV pole, (which she calls Hank today; yesterday it was Fred; the day before that, Buddy) but she's still faster than us.  To get her to slow down, I have to say, "Where's the fire?" She always thinks that's so funny.  She just doesn't understand the struggle. On one of our walks today, we saw a great message written on a white board in the hall that said, "If Plan A doesn't work, there are 25 more letters. Be cool." 

She's gotten lots of texts and a few calls today, and she really enjoys both. We spent some time in the family room while she and Toni shopped online for new pajamas. She's doing hand work on some quilting projects she and Toni have going. She's all set up to watch the upcoming Rangers games, which Lewis will come enjoy with her. There are card games and dominoes, games and other distractions on her phone, lots of talking and processing about all of this, and talking a lot about plain old things too. The balance is necessary.  She and I are very quick to cry over just about anything, and we've decided we're just going to go with it. Toni has been the rock, taking care of business. She's the best one for that job.  

Carol Wilson sent me a video today of Tony Evans and his children discussing family pain.  Mom and I listened to it together. Here are a few things we took away from it:   

* We're waiting hopefully not hopelessly, because we can point to times in our lives when we experienced the Lord's faithfulness, and we're waiting hopefully on Him for a miracle.

* The Lord's Will is unconditional. Even if we meet all the conditions He requires of us through prayer, etc., He may not accommodate our desires, because His plan is better than anything we can imagine or want. Our prayers should include a request for our will to align with God's.

* Pray and then do the next right thing. (These are also the words a friend of mine's mother, Mary Nell Copeland, lived by, and her legacy shows in all of her children's and her grandchildren's lives.) We're not meant to focus on the mountain up ahead and trip over the rock in front of us. The day to day living is the way through it. So sometimes, getting mom a cup of hospital coffee is the next right thing to do.  

* These circumstances can be a catalyst for each of us to reset some aspect of our lives. Maybe it will prompt you to stop and breathe in more moments that really matter, so you don't ever regret not doing so. These circumstances helping you reset would be one good thing that comes out of this bad thing. 

* We will choose to trust God's plan in spite of the circumstances. He is always good.