If I remember correctly, this past Christmas was the first one I have not spent with Mike since we were married in 1984. This year I made the decision to spend it with our children since they are all living in the Charlotte area now and I had not had the privilege of having Christmas with all of them since our guys got married and had children. 
Caleb & Anastasia had just moved into their home mere days before Christmas, but Caleb had his kitchen set up and was ready to cook. Christmas Eve is my grandson's birthday and so we decided to celebrate his birthday and our Christmas together that afternoon and evening. It was so fun to all be together and the food was delicious! Cooking is relaxing to Caleb and NOT cooking is relaxing to me! Of course it was a bit chaotic with 5 children 5 and under, but it was happy chaos.
I stayed with Keegan's family and on Christmas day we took things slow, read the story of Jesus' birth while the girls placed the figures on a flannel wall hanging and mainly ate our way through the day! When Amy's parents and a friend came over, each one brought food! I escaped to Caleb's for a while to stop eating and see what they were up to. It's so great that they are only 15 minutes apart.
On the 26th, I headed back to Virginia via Appomattox to spend time with Mike and God gave me the greatest gift. I gave Mike a large print Bible and after reading to him, I handed him the Bible and he actually seemed to read for a little while. The first time in months that he has done that. It was a precious gift from God. All combined, this was one of my most favorite Christmases ever!
Mike read again the next week while I was there and it seemed the medication change was making a difference; however, as we've seen so often in the past, it was not to last. The next week he was quite active and omming and taking the Bible from me. Clipping his fingernails was quite a struggle and anything he got his hands on went to his left leg like he was trying to rub it or scrape it. Last week he was a bit calmer, but back to the constant omming, rocking, not reading or wanting to be touched. I tried to rub his left leg, but he was quite resistant.
Basically we are back to what he was. There are times when he seems calmer, but he becomes more "agitated" or "active" once I speak to him. The doctor says that's a good thing. That he probably recognizes me, but to me it's more distressing. I like seeing him more peaceful. When I asked the CNA (who works with him almost every day) if she had noticed him being calmer in recent weeks, she said "no".
So we accept things the way they are, trust God that He has a plan, and take one day at a time. God's grace is sufficient for that and has carried us through almost 8 years. One. Day. At. A. Time.
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| My new morning view |
Right after Christmas, the farm hired a young lady to help with the cows and she needed housing, so I moved out of the farm trailer. With help from family, a painter, and friends we moved out what was in the 2 back bedrooms at my Mom's and fixed it up to be my little suite. We brought my furnishings over so that I now have a space that feels like mine within Mom's house. It's working out well and makes life easier for me. I enjoyed my space at the trailer and basically just moved it over here.
My back is doing ok, I have to be careful not to overdo and often sit with my ice pack at the end of the day and try to always remember to take it with me when I drive. My bladder prolapse surgery is this Wednesday, Feb. 19, and I am more concerned about how my back will do post surgery, when I cannot do my full range of stretches or go to the Chiropractor. I appreciate your prayers and know that God has this under control also. Doctors do what they can, but my life is in God's hands and I know that full well. Whatever may come, God is there.
Psalm 73:26-28
"My flesh and my heart may fail,
but God is the strength of my heart
and my portion forever.
Those who are far from you will perish;
you destroy all who are unfaithful to you.
But as for me, it is good to be near God.
I have made the Sovereign Lord my refuge;
I will tell of all your deeds."
