Like A Pike

We went to visit my dear MIL at the rehab facility today after church. She was sitting in a chair and anticipating her lunch while we were there. Her appetite is fair and her spirits are good, for those two things we are thankful. I left there feeling discouraged, however; she doesn't seem to be the least bit interested in improving her situation even one tiny bit. She has little to no desire to participate in physical therapy, she is indifferent when it comes to socialization with the other residents and shows complete disregard for the planned activities. She is content to do exactly what we found her doing today: sitting and watching television, in her room all by herself. She complained that her lips were dry, we directed her attention the lip balm on her chair-side table, not even one foot away from her. "I'm too lazy to reach over for that" was her reply. I didn't make a move to get it for her, she did pick it up and use it shortly after that. She claims to want to go home within the week, that is the frustrating part for me, her actions don't demonstrate that desire. My husband is equally discouraged but told me that he admits to suffering from "pike syndrome" when it comes to encouraging her. For years he has tried to gently coach, boost, strengthen, inspire and energize her, but she refuses; it is downright disheartening. And so, we left her, alone in her room watching television. She seemed happy enough with that. I have prayed that she can go back home again, what she has told us that she truly wants to do. I'm just not so sure about that anymore. I am fine tuning my prayers on her behalf now, asking God to impart peace and wisdom for this situation, so that she truly understands what is necessary for her own best interest. I'm praying for my husband too, that pike starved itself to death(!); my prayer is that God will enlighten him with understanding and direction along a new path.

Life is Good!

On this, the thirteenth day of November, I am thankful for

the loving role models God has provided within my family.

Mutual Love

This is Linus, he belongs to my dear mother-in-law (or vice versa!) and is living with us temporarily while Mom is in the rehabilitation facility. Linus is part Chihuahua and part Rat Terrier, he is a nervous, skittish dog; but sweet. We took Linus to visit Mom yesterday; he snuggled right down beside her when Mr. Goodneedle placed him on her bed and completely relaxed, the first time I have seen him do that in weeks. Mom seemed calm and restful too, his visit was powerful therapy for her as she works to gain strength and recover, their mutual love for one another is precious. Thank you for your continued prayers on her behalf, God hears them and knows her needs.

Life is Good!

On this, the third day of November, I am thankful for elder care facilities

 that understand the importance of, and encourage, patient-pet visitation.

Life Interrupted

So, a week ago, Mr. Goodneedle and I decided that we'd try our hand at upholstery, we're learning as we go. We have two wing chairs in our bedroom that were begging for facelifts and we'd finally succumbed to their incessant whining. He began the time consuming task of removing staples and slowly peeling the 1980's era crewel-work front and coordinating mauve velveteen back from the framework, salvaging each section to serve as a pattern piece. I disassembled the seat cushion covers; it, too, was a tedious task. This photo represents where we left off, on Wednesday of this past week... right now we're at a standstill. My dear mother-in-law somehow twisted her right knee and succeeded in doing severe damage, rendering her completely non-weight bearing. It took a few days and a few Dr.'s visits for her as well as an ultrasound (to rule out a blood clot) and an ambulance ride to the Emergency Department for an MRI before the final diagnosis was delivered. What began for her as a painful annoyance quickly escalated to a condition where she could not walk. She's now residing in a local hospital, resting the leg, and will soon be turned over to an orthopedist for further treatment/rehab. It's frustrating for her, she has no idea how it happened. When you're frail, and elderly, it doesn't take much to find yourself sidelined indefinitely, and with that comes a moderate level of confusion too. We're doing all that we can to help but it's going to take time, patience and a cooperative spirit on her part before any progress happens as far as getting her back up on her own two feet, and, ultimately, back home if at all possible.

In the meantime we have chosen new fabric for reupholstering the chairs, but that's as far as we've gone. I have a quilt ready to load on Snowbird that will cover our bed; out go the pastels and in come some deeper, richer tones for our all new bedroom decor. As far as the newbie upholsterers go it's going to take time and patience before we see progress in the redecorating department... but it will happen! We know that to be true. Life interrupted for us is easy enough to start back up. Sadly, the truth of a life interrupted for someone who's 92 years of age and fragile of body is a traumatic occurrence; it's likely to be a long time to get back to where she was.

Join me in prayer, if you will, for healing of body and spirit and a return to normal life, 

whatever God wills that to be, for my dear mother-in-law;

 she, and we, would deeply appreciate that today.

Life is Good! 

Living With Purpose

If you haven't heard of this wonderful lady from North Dakota, here you go; her life is a lesson for us all... work hard and live with purpose! Thank you, Myrtle.

Life is Good!

Every Picture Tells A Story

This photograph came to me via Facebook.  My husband's cousin's daughter came across it among her grandmother's belongings and she wondered if my mother-in-law (her grandmother's sister) could identify this church sanctuary, decorated for Christmas. I printed it out and took it to my mother-in-law earlier this week. When she looked at it there was an immediate spark of recognition; "where did you get this?" she asked. I explained to her how I came to have this image and asked her if she knew where it was taken, she immediately answered: "it's Grace Lutheran Church in Fort Worth (TX)!"  My dear mother-in-law will be 92 years old in a few weeks. She is the younger daughter (her sister passed away in 2000) of a Lutheran pastor who served congregations in Swedesburg and Essex (IA), Wahoo (NE), Fort Worth (TX), and Altona (IL) Mom's happiest memories surface when she relates stories of growing up living in church parsonages and the advenures that she and her sister had. She was sixteen years old when her family came to live in Fort Worth. In this church she played the piano as a teenager. It was here that she met my future father-in-law. They married here in 1944 (he was on leave from the AAF during WWII). In this church sanctuary their first son was baptized.  I could tell by her wistful gaze that she was reliving all of those moments, she couldn't take her eyes from the photograph.  But then, doubt crept in; perhaps she was scared to trust her immediate response due to her age and her faltering memory, I'm not sure. She looked up and said "I think it's Fort Worth... but I'm not completely sure that I remember."  We needed confirmation. I sent the photo in an e-mail to the current pastor serving this congregation; I explained that Mom was a member and that her father had been the pastor. I learned from their website that the original building pictured here is long gone, the church moved to a new bulding in a new location in 1957, but I was hopeful that someone may recognize this historical photo. My query was met with almost immediate success!  The pastor promptly responded with this message: "this  is a wonderful photo of the sanctuary at Grace in it's original Hemphill St. location.  I have seen this photo or one like it in an album that had been put together for the congregations 100th anniversary.  The large painting behind the altar is still displayed in the Narthex of the church at our current 7900 McCart Ave. location, along with the cornerstone engraving from the original building.  Rev. Johnson's portrait photo is displayed in our hallway among the other pastors who have served Grace over the years noting that he served from 1938-1946, see photos below.    We currently have a 3 members who are over 90 still attending regularly.  I'll ask if they were at Grace at the time and remember pastor Johnson, the one who I am certain was here at that time,  passed away last year, Isabelle Becker.  Her family members still attend."

     

Mom's instinct was right; her memory had not let her down!  I could scarcely wait to get this information and these additional photos to her; she hasn't been feeling well lately and I had a hunch that this would be good medicine. I am grateful beyond measure to the pastor for his prompt reply and his  kindness in providing so much more than I had requested.  Mom was so happy to receive this yesterday... to see her precious Daddy's face once again and to be affirmed in her own recollection of a location that was once so familiar to her. She remembered the recently departed lady mentioned in the e-mail, and even told me all about her and her family!  These memories, more than anything else, bring the greatest joy.  Yes, every picture does tell a story, for someone; something this simple can provide a very bright spot in the life of a loved one.... what unexpected surprises might just be lurking in your own closets, drawers and shoe boxes? 

Life is Good!

"How Would I Know?"

I had to stop by the pharmacy last week to pick up a prescription, it wasn't ready when I arrived; I was invited to wait in a nearby chair while it was filled. That's where I was when I overheard the following conversation between an elderly woman(W) and the pharmacist(P):

W: "I'm here to pick up a prescription, my Dr. called it in."
P: "Your name?"
W: "Mary Smith."*
P: "Let me look"... (pulls out a package from a bin) "Mrs. Smith, is that address 123 Main Street?"*
W: "How would I know?"
P: "Are you picking this prescription up for someone else?"
W: "No, it's for me."
P: "OK, so you're unsure of your address?"
W: "OH! Yes, that's my address. I thought you were asking me what my Dr.'s address was!"

At this point I had to get up from the waiting chair and wander off, to laugh. I couldn't help myself.

Life is Good!

*(name, address are changed for protection)