"Well" meaning she has been free of infection for the last six weeks, free of the associated maladies associated with infection, on only pain killers and a beta-blocker, and fully expressing her personality.
In the last two months, two of Mom's grandchildren have graduated from high school. Paul and Suzy renewed their wedding vows for their 25th wedding anniversary. She enjoyed the Fourth of July complete with fireworks. She celebrated the birthdays of several grandchildren, one great-grandchild, and her sister, Dorothy. Her life has been full and happy.
The temptation is too great to refrain from exclaiming to hospice, "WE TOLD YOU SO!"
Ahhh. That felt good.
Last week Suzy took her kids - including church kids - camping at St. Ignace Sunday through Tuesday. Then on Thursday, the family minus Corey and Jodi took Haley and Ruby downstate - Ruby to stay with son Tim until her flight home to San Diego on Tuesday, and Haley to fly to Honduras for a three-week mission trip with her friend and missionary, Rosalee Melton. I had the privilege of spending the week with Mom - mostly alone - and we had a great time.
Ruby and Mom, August 7. Ruby prayed for Mom and sweetly encouraged her before she left. We will miss Ruby.
Haley and Grandma Rose, August 7. Haley will be back from her mission trip to Honduras on August 28.
We watched Animal Planet, Red Skelton reruns, and Anna and the King. We've been reading The Shack by William P. Young (if you haven't read it, I highly recommend it), and we got half way through chapter 12 before I left for GR. The Shack was given to me by my wonderful friends Deb and Russ Coates during their Michigan visit in June. Deb expressly recommended the book as a good one for Mom and me to read together. It's hard to know whether Mom really remembers what I read, but she thoroughly enjoys my reading it. And in the meantime, I am thoroughly enjoying the story.
Mom has been alert and present for the last several days. She is generous with her I love yous and her hugs. She isn't able to use her hands and arms well, but she moves them much more frequently since we began giving her pain killers regularly. She points, tries to scratch - sometimes successfully - attempts to change the channel on the remote, tries to help while feeding her dinner. She loves to hold hands.
Tina gave her a manicure during her visit on August 3. This was Mom's first manicure in several weeks due to the pain in her joints, prior to her regular dosage of meds.
Makayla saying goodby to Great-Grandma Rose with flowers, August 3.
Tina and Mom, August 3.
Mom's visit with Vital Care Nurse Catherine and trainee Amanda on August 7.
Corey and Jodi with Grandma Rose on August 7. She did smile, just a little late.
Here, I asked Mom to smile. She responded with a wink.
1 comment:
It's amazing what love can do. Hello to your family and continued prayers.
~Marci in CO
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