Thursday, December 31, 2015

A new post for a new season. We're waiting out the old year, 2015, to start a brand new year, 2016. We do not know what the new year will bring us. Will it be an other year for my husband to be cared for at home, or maybe part of the year? He could still outlive me. We are both elderly and our time is in God's wise bestowment. We have learned to live one day at a time and some days are better than others.
 However I like to plan and have reserved a spot in the care home for Walter the end of February so I can take a break and visit the children. There is only one room available in the whole valley for respite and it is used often. If plans need to be changed, so be it.
I have also told my granddaughter that I plan to be at her wedding in July. I am excited to see her getting married.
We'll wait the hour to march into the new year and straight to bed. We are so thankful that we still are together in our home. To God be the glory.

Sunday, November 29, 2015

It's hard to believe that the last time I wrote the snow was disappearing and now the snow is back again. It is winter again and the stores are filled with Christmas gifts and decorations. Even my Facebook is cluttered with advertising.
Even though there are just the two of us time seems to be sliding by quickly. I was able to see some of the new additions to our family and watched my granddaughter's husband graduate from the RCMP depot in Regina.
Another highlight was to attend the Inscribe Fall conference in Edmonton. Wonderful to see my writer friends an attend some great workshops.
My husband who suffers from a neurological disease was willing to go to the care home during the time that I was away. He is living overtime (at least 8 months) if we adhere to a verdict of the neurologist. He is still at home and with the help of homecare we are surviving. It is too bad that we can not go places anymore together because he is too weak. I tell anyone who will listen to do things together with your husband as long as you can. We are old and content just to be together at home. I do get a break when I need it.
God is in control and He guides us just one step at a time. He gives us a peace that passes all understanding.
I will try to keep in touch more often. God bless you all

Friday, April 17, 2015

It is a nice sunny day and the snow is pretty well gone in our town. The two weeks that I was away took care of that. Now it is the middle of April and we are all looking forward to the warm weather of summer. People are buying their seeds to be ready for planting season. The farmers are getting their seeds ready and the machinery so they can go on the field soon.
My husband is still with us and we are thankful. When I took a break (had a ride to Alberta) Walter spent time in the care home. It was not pleasant when the whole building was quarantined because of a flue outbreak. It was a lonely time for him. He was glad to go home again.
Yesterday he was determined to go to the bank. He still wants to do some things himself. It was a mistake, he later confessed, because he could hardly move. When we came out of the bank we met a friend whose wife is ill and he is taking care of her. The words that uplifted me were "I feel for you. I know what you are going through." Nobody ever told me that. The thought came to me that it would be nice if there was a support group of caregivers who spent almost full time caring for their spouses. We could share our predicaments and our disappointments and also our blessings. We could also pray together for strength to endure. The Lord is faithful and will guide and direct us, but sometimes a human touch will go a long way. I am sure I am not the only one who is a caregiver for a spouse or even a child. It is wonderful that my husband is still alive and we were able to celebrate his 85th birthday with a nice party and supper with family and close friends. The doctor's diagnoses was wrong and I am thankful for each day that we have together. I need to lean on the Lord for every step I take, even when I have a sleepless night and am so very tired.
Our dog can be a nuisance, but is also very caring. I had fallen asleep in my chair and Walter called me from the bathroom. I woke up when Kiki jumped on my lap and woke me up. Apparently my husband had told her to go and get me, and she sure did. A faithful pooch she is.
Maybe someone you know needs a word of encouragement. Lets us not forget our obligation to God. He will take care of us and never leave us nor forsake us, but we need to pass on some of His love to those around us.
These are my thoughts for this season. 

Friday, January 23, 2015

Not looking back, but keep going.



When I have not written for awhile, not counting my weekly little devotionals , my heart urges me to write again. I will not look back at the date that I wrote on my blog last. I just want to keep going. Life has its ups and downs but with Christ aboard our vessel we can over come and be blessed from day to day. One of my children suggested to write each day in my journal one item of thanksgiving. It is uplifting to do so, because each day has its blessings. We just do not see them or count them.
Today the sun is shining and the snow is melting. It really feels that spring is not far away. When I look at the pictures on my walls and shelves I realize how rich I am with my family. My husband has a neurological disease which is shredding his body apart. His mobility is very poor and it is beginning to rob him from enjoying life. Some of his organs are not working properly anymore which is devastating for him. Still we can see how the Lord protects him when we have to go out somewhere and there are no falls or mishaps. As long we are open to see His protection and guidance. The prognosis is poor, but doctors have been wrong before and we rely on a Holy God who makes the rules about living and dying.
It has taught me to look around and see the needs in our town. There are many lonely people, who are housebound because of age and infirmities. I see it now in my own home. People are afraid to take my husband out because of his poor mobility, but the business of life breaks down communication and visitation. Many elderly people have no family here and some spent days on end in bed or in a chair. How can we help them? I try, but now I feel my place is at home with my husband who is also lonely for visitors.
We need to pray that the Lord will stir hearts and bring about commitment to seek contact with the elderly in our communities. It is not until we experience it ourselves that we see the need around us.
My heart is hurting.