A Fantastical Day

Just recently, we started having an additional caregiver come stay with Mom which allows me a bit more freedom two days a week. On April 9th I packed a whole lot in and enjoyed a fantastical day. Betty arrived about 8:15 and within 15 minutes I was on my way to Appomattox. My car was on empty, but I prayed it would get me to Crewe and it did. Praise God! The rest of the drive was absolutely gorgeous as the purple blossoms of the Redbud trees were in full display along the sides of the road and I oooed and ahhhed my way along.

Once in Appomattox, I found Mike sound asleep in his reclining wheelchair. I could not wake him at all. So I decided to roll him around and found that everyone was headed to the dining room to listen to singing. Mike and I joined them, although he slept through about 40 minutes of the hour program. It was a gospel singing group that were very joyous and straightforward in their love for Jesus and I enjoyed singing along with the songs I knew. Mike woke in the last 15 minutes or so and looked around like he couldn't figure out where in the world he was. His eyes seemed clearer than usual as he looked at me quizzically and all around the room. After about 5 minutes of this, he started to get a little antsy and then right when the group finished their concert, one of the women came over and prayed for Mike and me. She and I held hands and put our hands on Mike. She prayed a beautiful, passionate prayer for God's will to be done.

With so many people in the dining room, there was a traffic jam of wheelchairs to maneuver through or move before I could get Mike out. By this time, Mr. Omm was in full control and Mike was pulling up his left left leg and rocking back and forth. I quickly rolled him down the hall and got his walker and he popped up easily. I told him I had a banana in the car for him so we stopped at the car and I got the banana. I asked Mike if he wanted to walk or go straight to the deck and eat his banana. He didn't answer but was just staring at the banana and then blurted out "I want that!" Alrighty then! We were able to take a good walk after he consumed the banana. It was the only sentence of the day, but I'm always happy when he is verbal, even if it isn't much.

The nurses said one day he clearly blurted out "I want cheese!" It was so unexpected and clear and they were thrilled to go get something he wanted. Last night I called to see how he was and the nurse told me he had sung "Only You" clear as could be. That's a new one! The two times I had been there after our anniversary, he was antsy and totally not speaking other than the ommm. We never know from moment to moment or visit to visit what he might say or do. This next one is on me though...It has not been easy to brush his teeth because he's moving all the time, so a few weeks ago I had the bright idea to use a wash cloth and see if I could sort-of scrub his teeth. Well, if you've ever seen the little video ("Ow, Charlie bit my finger!") of the 2 little boys and one sticks his finger in the other one's mouth and gets bit....yeah, well....thankfully I had the washcloth doubled over my finger!

Anyway, back to April 9. I left Mike later than I wanted to, but arrived just in time for the last lesson of our Job Bible study which I didn't want to miss. It was a wonderful video series by Dr. Derek Thomas. In the last lesson I loved how he wove the book of James into the book of Job. He spoke of how it's really not the patience of Job (he does lose patience with his friends and even God's silence throughout the course of the book), but rather the steadfastness of Job. Job stood strong in believing that God is Sovereign and that nothing could touch him that God didn't will. We can trust God completely through whatever comes our way.

I left Bible study, picked up my friend, Nancy, and we joined about 15 other ladies at church for a scone-making demonstration by a representative of King Arthur flour. It was loads of fun, educational, and we ended up with something delicious to eat and take home. I usually think of scones as slightly sweet, but this time tried savory using cheese and chives and they were yummy.

After that I ran into town to pick up Mom's medicine and a few groceries and came home. It was a full day but a wonderful day and I so enjoyed each part while knowing that Mom was in good hands.

Last week I had the privilege of going to Ohio to see Mike's Mom while my sister, Gayle was here. Mom R. and I enjoyed visiting, plus I enjoyed a long walk with a former co-worker/friend, Gail, and a former neighbor/friend, Joanna. Blessings abound.

I hope you have each had a wonderful celebration of Christ's resurrection today. Mom and I went to church and then enjoyed a quiet, restful afternoon and evening.

Matthew 28:5&6

The angel said to the women, "Do not be afraid,

for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. 

He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay."