Winter Blues

Is it just me, or are you also feeling the winter blues?! I suffer annually with cedar allergies and react when I go outside for any length of time! Also, the further west I drive, the worse I get. This year I am better than years in the past, but I am taking an armload of stuff...prescription and OTC meds and herbal drops! They're working...that's what matters!

Ollie and I went to Mom and Dad's Monday and we both noticed that they were acting a little down also. They both perked up after we were there a little while. We went out to lunch and had a really tasty meal at the River City Grill and then went back to the house. The guys immediately got settled in their recliners for naps and Mom and I went back to their bedroom and talked. She's fine...I think she and Dad are both a little bored with their routine. She mentioned how much they enjoy visits from their kids and how she wished more friends and family members would come see them. I know we all are creatures of habit and that it's tough to take out time to go see them, but, if you can, please do so!

Mom keeps vacillating about wanting to move into Austin. She daydreams about being closer to all of us so that all of us could visit more often. She said it would be so nice if family and friends could visit for a couple of hours rather than have to come and spend a whole day. She's not worried about her time, she is worried about ours! But, Dad doesn't want to move and, really, I don't think she does either. They love their home and their property. If they could pick that place up and move it closer to Austin, they'd do it in a heartbeat! Mom and Dad know we are all getting out there as much as we can, they just wish it could be more! So do we!

An early 20th century American writer, Elbert Hubbard, said, "“No matter what you’ve done for yourself or for humanity, if you can’t look back on having given love and attention to your own family, what have you really accomplished?”
I believe his words to be wise and Godly...

Leviticus 19:32 “You shall stand up before the gray head and honor the face of an old man, and you shall fear your God: I am the LORD.”

Amen!!!

Such a beauty!

Mom had to come to town yesterday for a dermatologist appointment. My grandson, Austin, was staying with Ollie and me for the day, so I wasn't able to go with her. Ollie, Whitney, Austin and I did, however, meet her at Luby's Cafeteria for lunch! Mom loves to eat there and wishes that there was one in Marble Falls! I think they'd eat there almost daily!

Anyway, as I walked in the door of Luby's and saw Mom, I was a little taken back at how pretty she is! Do you do that? See a person you've known all of your life and see them differently from time to time? She has such a positive attitude, is an optimist, but a realist, is a Godly woman, a frugal but generous person and is beautiful inside and out. I say prayers of thanks for my parents every day! I am so blessed to have been raised by Mildred and Harvey Smith!

Dad stayed home with Jerry. He just doesn't love coming to Austin! He'd just as soon stay home in his chair! Dad and his chair...since I was a kid, Dad has had "his chair"! I remember that when Dad would get home from work, he'd head straight for "his chair." It was his sanctuary. We were very careful not to disturb him until he'd been in his chair for a while! Mom raised us to respect Dad and the fact that he worked hard and deserved some peace and quite when he got home! "Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right." Ephesians 6:1

Amen!

"Have a strong mind and a soft heart."

That describes Mom to a "T"!!! She caught Dad's cold, or shall we say that it caught her?! She said she had been running away from it for days! Bless her heart, she has had a bad cough and stuffy head since the end of last week. She even spent one whole day in her recliner in her gown and robe...and, if you know Mom, you know that is NOT like her! Sunday morning when I called her, she said that she was feeling MUCH better, "at least I am telling myself that I am" and then she laughed out ould at herself! She had decided that she was tired of "laying" around and that she needed to get up and get some things done. So, she decided she was going to feel better! And, you know what? IT WORKED!!!

I wholeheartedly believe that Mom's strength comes through her prayers. She is a fine example of a Godly woman who lives through faith!

"I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." Amen!

Glenda is headed to Mom and Dad's today. Dad needs to go to get a blood test in Marble Falls, and Glenda will take him so Mom doesn't have to get out. Glenda lovingly fills their refrigerator with lots of healthy things from Whole Foods Market so Mom won't have to find things to cook this week!

I will get to see Mom on Thursday. She has a doctor's appointment in Austin and I make a point of going with her any time I can! She always schedules her appointments close to the noon hour so we can go to Luby's Cafeteria either before or after her appointment! Too bad there's not a Luby's close to her and Dad. She'd let them do most of the cooking!! Can't say that I blame her!

“He who finds a wife finds a good thing and obtains favor from the LORD.” Proverbs 18:22

Dad did very well!!! He's feeling much better also. Mom says he is not coughing much and thinks they are both on the verge of being well! Praise God for that!

Amen!

"Tis the season?

I checked in with Mom this morning, as usual. Dad has been suffering with a bad cough which has kept them from getting much sleep for a couple of days . Mom said feels like she's been "running away" from a cold this week also. Today she sounded congested, so I'm afraid she didn't run fast enough! No doubt that the lack of rest has weakened her immune system and she does sound very tired. She won't let me bring them soup or go help her with laundry, etc. I'm not surprised! Jerry, the caretaker, is back from his 3-week vacation, so she will get him to come help once they are both feeling better. She doesn't want anyone to come right now. She is so considerate of everyone! Keep them in your thoughts and prayers please!

Lord, please give Mildred and Harvey strength to fight this bad cold and cough. Clear their lungs and sinuses of infection and irritation so that they can breath easier and get the rest that they need to get healthy. Amen.