Happy 64th, Mike

Today is Mike's birthday. Today Mike turned 64. Today I visited Mike through the door and he barely looked up. I took him a milkshake, but he wasn't awake enough to even try it. It was a sad sort of birthday.

Thankfully, my friend Nancy went with me which helped to keep the blues away. We drove 75 minutes, handed off his card, new socks, and milkshake, looked at him through the door for a few minutes, spoke with the nurse practitioner (or is she a PA?) and left. Mike was very quiet today so they are keeping an eye on him. That was it. There's not much to say. 

Yet, a sweet moment occurred when a precious woman rolled down the hall in her wheelchair, rolled right beside Mike and gently asked "Aren't you going to wake up? Look." We exchanged glances through the door, she tried a couple more times, and I mouthed "Thank you. It's OK." Nancy and I waved and smiled at her and turned to leave. That little exchange made the entire visit better. The kindness of a stranger trying to help us have a little connection with a door in-between us. 

On my other blog www.reflectionsbythepond.com I am sharing thoughts from Philippians 4. Currently I am working on one about rejoicing always. Today I didn't feel much like rejoicing and I don't think Paul meant that I should rejoice that my husband is confined to a wheelchair and can't talk to me, but that there is always a reason for a Christian to rejoice in the Lord. It's a conscience decision, a shift in focus. I can rejoice because I know that God has a purpose for this and I know I can trust Him, I can rejoice that I am a child of God, I can rejoice that Mike's and my names are written in the Book of Life, I can rejoice knowing that this life is temporary, I can rejoice that God provided my friend, Nancy, to be with me today and ease the sadness, I can rejoice that Mike is so well taken care of, I can rejoice and remember how God made a way to get Mike into that facility. In the midst of rejoicing and giving thanks, it moves my focus from the sad to the blessings and, in that shift, the heaviness and sadness fall away and are replaced with gratitude and joy. It is not a giddy joy, it is a deep inner joy and peace. A lingering ache remains, because I am human and it does hurt, but it is not debilitating. 

Philippians 4:4

"Rejoice in the Lord always. 

I will say it again: Rejoice!"

Happy Birthday, Mike.

I Love you.

COVID-19

Hello dear friends,

The facility Mike is in now has 2 cases of Coronavirus. They had done so well until last week when one of their employees tested positive. Then this past week one of the residents also tested positive. The staff member did not work with Mike and the resident lived on a different hall from Mike. Both are no longer at the facility, but are either at home or in a hospital hopefully regaining their health. The facility continues to strictly follow the CDC guidelines, as well as, those of the area hospital. The residents have been isolated to their rooms throughout the pandemic and no visitors allowed inside the building. 

It was to be expected that this virus would find it's way there also. I was thankfully amazed at how long they were able to keep it away, especially when there are over 80 staff members coming and going throughout the week. 

I visited with Mike via video again this week. He looked good and was eating breakfast. A couple of weeks ago he was not eating well, but his appetite seems to have returned to normal. There was no apparent physical reason for the reduced appetite. The isolation is being hard on all of the residents and it appears there is a general decline in their overall well-being. We are all social creatures to one degree or another. Residents of skilled nursing facilities are already removed from their homes and families and this added shut-down and isolation has made it even harder on them. Please keep Mike and the other residents in your prayers. 

In all of this turmoil in our world, we look to the Scriptures for our guidance and encouragement. I have focused in on Philippians 4 lately and will be sharing more on my other blog, (https://www.reflectionsbythepond.com/) but God's word tells us to "rejoice always...the Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything".  We are to pray about every situation with thankfulness and God's peace, that surpasses what we can understand, will be with us. His peace is real, soul-deep peace that lasts and cannot be taken away by outer circumstances. We must fix our minds on Him for He alone can guard our hearts and minds.

Philippians 4:4-7

"Rejoice in the Lord always.

I will say it again: Rejoice!

Let your gentleness be evident to all.

The lord is near.

Do not be anxious about anything,

but in every situation, by prayer and petition,

with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.

And the peace of God,

which transcends all understanding,

will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus."