Happy Valentine's Day!

Hello loved ones! being that this is Valentine's Day, I thought it profound to think about the love of our God, who was the first to love us...I John 4: 19 God’s love is the source of all human love. It is not natural for man to love God. We love Him because He first loved us." Thank all of you for loving and praying for our Mom and Dad!

This week marks the end of Phase II of Dad's care! Mom and Dad have made the decision to cancel 24-hour care and begin part-time care. Dad is now able to get in and out of his bed on his own and has a lift chair to assist him in standing and transferring to his wheel chair! So, this Tuesday they will start a new schedule. A woman named Jennifer will come 4 hours each morning and 4 hours each evening. She will assist Mom in preparing and cleaning up after meals, housekeeping, and therapy for Dad. He still does have 3 therapists who come in 3 times a week, but it is necessary to work his arm and leg and his speech therapy on the off days too. The great part about the assistance company is that they are flexible. If this plan doesn't work out, then they can easily switch back to full-time care with 3 days notice. I think it will feel like a day of emancipation for Mom and Dad when to have that first day "on their own!"

Jean was wonderful to spend a great deal of time this past week on the phone with Medicare about home care and taking Mom and Dad shopping for a lift chair. If you've ever had any dealings with Medicare, you'd know how difficult a task that was. Jean said she'd get a different answer from each person to whom she spoke...so frustrating. Thank you, Jean, for taking the time to help Mom and Dad with those things!

Glenda and Mollie visited with Mom and Dad for a while Saturday. While the therapist was working with Dad, Glenda coached Mom on working with the next caretaker. She created a list of affirmations for Mom and then had Mom read them out loud to her! Glenda said that she wished we could all have been there to hear Mom read them! She read each affirmation with enthusiasm and strength! The list absolutely empowered her!!! Here are some of them...
I am the boss! (She really said this one adamantly!!!)
I am the owner/resident and it's my way or the highway!
It is fine to be as picky as I want to be!
The housekeeper/caretaker can do it to my satisfaction if I will just show her how I like it done.
I am strong and healthy!
The more she repeated them, the more adamant she became!!! Look out for Super-Mom!!!
Glenda stressed to Mom how important it is to relay the things that she is picky about...not letting the water at the sink run while washing hands or dishes, don't bump the furniture with the vacuum cleaner, how she likes her clothes hung on the clothes line or a hanger, etc. She made Mom practice saying to her what she is picky about and the more Mom practiced, the more confident she became! Yay for Glenda!!!

The assistance company is setting Mom and Dad up with those personal alarms that they wear around their necks. We all feel better about that! There is always someone with Dad, either Mom or a caretaker. However, if Mom needed help, Dad would not be able to call for help. The alarms will give all of us more peace of mind!

"What God is to the world, parents are to their children." Amen