All is "well"...

Good morning!  Ollie and I are in East Texas on a shopping trip for our business, but I remain in frequent contact with Mom.   Things at the Smith house have gotten into a new "routine."  Dad is not in pain but does have infrequent discomfort in his abdomen.  Tylenol is managing that on an as-needed basis.  Mom says Dad sleeps most of the day but goes to the living room in the evening to watch television.  His favorite channel is the Western channel, of course!  He will watch an old Western movie until about 11 p.m. and then will go to bed for the night.  He is up less frequently than he was a week ago, so the weekday night-time caretaker, Christina, keeps herself busy by cleaning the central part of the house!  It's refreshing to have a helper who wants to stay busy! 

Mom is doing well and getting much better rest sleeping in the other side of the house.  I know it's lonely for her to be over there and Dad to be in their room.  After all, they have not slept apart for almost 66 years!  Yes, they will celebrate their 66th wedding anniversary on May 5th.  Also, Mom's 86th birthday is May 3rd.  If you'd like to send a birthday or anniversary card, their address is 6850 CR 120, Marble Falls TX 78654.

I'll be going out there in the next few days and will give you a more detailed report then.  I appreciate each and every one of you so much for your thoughts and prayers on Mom and Dad's behalf. 

I am happy to report that Lori and Matt Bisson's baby son Sam is getting stronger and healthier! Praise God!  Please continue to pray for him, his family and his caregivers!

Have a safe and wonderful day!

He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.

Micah 6:8

Amen!

Let us rejoice!

I  have been keeping in close contact with Mom and the caretakers.  As the days go by, Dad gets more and more back into his "routine" as it was prior to getting very ill with the urinary tract issues.  Mom said he is sleeping better at night, but wants to stay  up and watch movies, mostly westerns, until 11:00 or later!  Then, he likes to sleep until about noon each day!  That's okay with us now that Mom has 24 hour help!  The worst part was that, without help, Mom was staying up until midnight or so with Dad, up and down a few times during the night, and she would get up by 8:00 and Dad would stay in bed.  She was exhausting herself.  With round-the-clock help, Mom can now can sleep late and not worry that Dad is not being taken care of!  Praise God!
This is what we have been wanting for her for a LONG time!  


Ollie and I are taking Austin out of school today and going to the Deer Camp for the day!  It's like a little piece of Heaven when we get to do this!  Austin and his Grandpa will fish, we'll go hiking in the woods with Austin scouting ahead, and we hope to play in the lake, if it's not too cold!  A pretty good day for a 5-year old boy and his Grandma and Grandpa!  Since the ranch is at Spicewood, we plan to go through Marble Falls on the way home and go see Mom and Dad.  I'm suffering from withdrawls after being with them for so many days!  I may be 56 years old, but I'm still a Momma's baby, and proud of it!!!  I may have used this before, but I love it... 


Who can find a virtuous woman? She is far more precious than jewels...
Strength and honor are her clothing, and she can laugh at the time to come.
She opens her mouth with wisdom, and loving instruction is on her tongue.
She watches over the activities of her household and is never idle.
Her sons rise up and call her blessed.
He husband also praises her:
Many women are capable, but you surpass them all!
Charm is deceptive and beauty is fleeting, but a woman who fears the Lord will be praised.
~Proverbs 31:10, 25-30

I am so pleased to announce the birth of cousins Lori and Matt Bisson's son Sam.  Lori and Sam need your prayers that they gain strength and health so they may go home from the hospital without any issues, and join big brother Will.  Father, God, we thank you for this sweet little boy and for his conception and birth.  We ask in the name of Jesus Christ for Your healing touch on Sam and his mommy Lori.  Heal them now so we may rejoice in the good news about their recovery and continued health.  St Jude, worker of miracles, and all the angels and saints, pray for them.  Amen.   

Ollie and I are headed east tomorrow on a 2-day buying trip.  I promise to let you know if there is any major news this week.  Meanwhile, I pray that each of you have a safe and blessed day and week! Go with God!

Go With God lyrics
Songwriters: Arends, Carolyn; Harrington, Connie;

Farther than lands you have ever imagined
Deeper than even the oceans of blue
An open horizon is waiting like morning
Waking the dreamer who's living in you

So now go with the wind at your back
And the sun on your face
With a song in your heart
And the promise of grace

Go in peace and in truth
And let love lead your way
Go with God.

Stronger than will in the soul of a fighter
Higher than hope in the heart of a child
There is a longing, a yearning inside us
That's reaching for Heaven and won't be denied

If you go with the wind at your back
And the sun on your face
With a song in your heart
And the promise of grace

Go in peace and in truth
And let love lead your way
Go with God.

Go with the wind at your back
And the sun on your face
With a song in your heart
And the promise of grace

Go in peace and in truth
And let love lead your way
Go with God.

AMEN!!!

A good laugh and a long sleep are the best cures in the doctor's book. ~Irish Proverb.

Thursday was a very interesting day!  When Mom and I joined Dad in the bedroom early Thursday morning, he was extremely depressed.  Mom and I stayed very close to him because he was indicating that he was feeling bad, but was not in pain.  As the morning grew older, Dad's mood improved quite a bit.  In fact, I felt comfortable enough that, with Jerry here,  I convinced Mom to get out of the house with me for a little while!  She and I went to Marble Falls, ran a few errands and went out to lunch!  I think it was good for her to get out and have a change of scenery!  She and I got home about 2:30 and Danny was there!  Danny is Dad's best medicine.  While we were gone, he had gotten Dad into the wheelchair and taken him outside to see Mom's rose bush and bluebonnets, and took him out to the shop for a while.  Dad absolutely refuses to go outside with me or Mom, but Dad will do just about anything Danny says!  Dad and Mom enjoyed listening to Danny and me reminisce about our favorite Christmases and other amusing stories from our childhood. We all laughed a lot!  It was so priceless to hear Dad and Mom laugh!  Danny stayed until about 4:00 and left to go to the deer camp for the monthly steak dinner and poker game.  Danny tried to get Dad to go with him, but Dad did put his foot down on that one and said no.  We knew he wouldn't be able to nor want to go, but Danny couldn't go without asking.  

Dad wanted to go to his recliner in the living room after Danny left.  He pointed to the television and wanted it on, which is very much out of the ordinary of late!  Not only did he want to watch tv, he asked for his glasses and hearing aids!  That meant he was really going to watch it instead of nap while it was on!! We all (yes, even Mom!!!) sat and watched "The Death of a Gunfighter" with Richard Widmark and then a Hallmark Channel movie, "The Simple Life of Noak Dearborn," starring Sidney Poitier.  Dad would wait until a commercial to go to the restroom.  As Christina, the night-time caretaker, wheeled him past me, he would raise his eyebrows, kind of cock his head and grin this funny grin at me as if to say, 'pause the movie if it comes back on before I get back!'  Amazingly, Dad stayed completely awake and alert for both movies!!  When the movie was over, we all talked about how much we liked it and Dad nodded a big 'yes' that he liked it!  Of course, very shortly, he was ready to go to bed!  It was such a fun night!  One that I will hold precious in my heart!

I always get up early enough to talk to the night-time caretaker before he or she leaves so I can get a report.  Christina said that Dad had his best night since she's been here!  He did have some pain in his abdomen and asked for Tylenol, but, otherwise, it was a good night. Twice during the night he slept for four hours straight! That's the longest he has slept, day or night, since I have been here!  I can't wait to see how he's feeling, once he is fully awake.  Currently he is in his bedroom chair and has been up to use the restroom, but went right back to sleep.  Usually, he is more fully awake by mid-morning.  Mom and I talked this morning and hope to establish a new pattern of watching movies at night to encourage Dad to stay up until at least 10:00, in hopes that it will relax him yet tire him enough to sleep during the night.  However, "the best laid plans of mice and men go awry."  This journey is absolutely taken one step at a time and there is no routine, pattern or consistency.  So, we will take it as it comes and try what we think is appropriate at the time according to how Dad is feeling or his mood. 

After Dad went to bed last night, Mom and I walked down to the road to put out the garbage can.  It was a beautiful, cool, starry night and we walked and talked and enjoyed that little bit of exercise!  "Lift up your eyes on high and see: who created these? He who brings out their host by number, calling them all by name, by the greatness of his might, and because he is strong in power not one is missing."  Isaiah 40:26



We are breaking in a new daytime caretaker today, Greg.  Jerry is out for the next 10 days, so Greg will be the weekday caretaker and Christing will be here for the nights.  That changes on the weekends.  Monica will be here from tonight at 8 p.m. until Sunday night at 8 p.m.  I am going home tonight for one or two nights, and Glenda will be here tomorrow during the day.  I will be back Sunday in case Monica needs a nap during the day.  I don't want Mom having to help Dad by herself.  He is weaker and it takes more help to get him up and down.  I don't want Mom hurting her back or wearing herself out.  We've gained too much ground with her to backtrack!  She is doind a great job of allowing the caretakers to do any of the lifting of Dad and with most of his care!  She's still voerseeing, but I wouldn't want that to change!  Dad watches for her and wants her to be near him, and, of course, she wants to be near him also.  I still count our blessings that she will sleep in the other bedroom and get her rest!  If she gets up at night, she goes in and checks on Dad, but then she goes back to the other bedroom and goes back to sleep. We can worry about her less when she is getting her rest! 

I will be back with you on Sunday or Monday, unless there is significant news to report.  Meanwhile, I pray that you and your loved ones are safe and healthy!  One of my favorite quotes popped into my head just now, so I guess I am meant to share it...Don't tell God how big your problem is...tell your problem how big GOD is!!!   AMEN!!!!!  Have a happy weekend!  Love, Sandi

Bless you all!

We want to say a special thank you to all of the friends and family that have come to see Mom and Dad, whom have called or emailed to check on them, those whom have sent cards, prayers and Mass intentions! You and your words of comfort are so greatly appreciated! If you call and want to visit and Mom or I ask you to come a different day, please call and ask again! Visitors do perk Dad up! Please come and come again!


I was sick, and you visited me. Matthew 25:36

John 3:16

Dad had a little bit more of a restful night in that he slep, at one point, for three hours straight. That is out of the ordinary, so we are thankful! This morning he was up and down pretty often, despite the fact that he wanted to sleep. He ate half a slice of toast with jelly and some of his nutritional drink for breakfast and has been trying to sleep between trips to the bathroom.


Every Wednesday, Deacon Pat from St John's Church comes to visit Mom and Dad and bring them communion. He has done that for a long time, well before this illness episode. When he came today, Dad was very solemn and quiet. He did greet the Deacon, but not with his usual smiles and ah's. I don't know if he is overtired, not feeling well, or exactly what is going on with Dad today. Deacon Pat was here briefly and Dad went back to sleep before he even left. Mom is very tired today also and didn't know its source. I told her that her body was traumatized yesterday by the having to have her hand treated and that today she should rest and let it heal. She agreed and has gone back to their bedroom to rest in there with Dad. I am wondering if his solemnity is concern for Mom. He remains very sensitive to her. They can read each other like a book, no doubt!


The Gospel that Deacon Pat read today was John 3:16...For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life. I took that greatly to heart because it is such a joyful verse. On Easter Sunday, I shared a prayer with the family and said that I feel more thankful at Easter than I do at Thanksgiving. I am so humbled by the fact that God our Almighty Father sacrificed his son for me so that I might have life. I cannot fathom a greater gift! "I will praise God's name in song and glorify him with thanksgiving." Psalm 69:30


I think I may take advantage of the quiet and have a little nap also! Mark Twain said,"What a robust people, what a nation of thinkers we might be, if we would only lay ourselves on the shelf occasionally and renew our edges!" I think I will go renew my edges!!!

Pretty good day...

Dad had a typical night, sadly, of gettingup and down every 30-45 minutes to go to the restroom. We are so blessed to have caretakers who are geared for being up all night and who treat Dad with such patience and gentle care. Without them, Mom and I would be zombies! Mom has maxed out on being able to care for Dad through the night and again all day. It just became too much for her, God bless her. We had a new male caretaker last night, Greg, and he did a great job. Jerry was here throught the day and Christina is here tonight. We truly have been blessed with great loving, patient and skilled people.


I left this morning at 6 a.m. and headed to Austin to have breakfast with Ollie and then to spend the morning with Whitney to support her at mediation with her ex-husband in their custody battle over our grandson Austin. Please keep Whitney and Austin in your prayers as her ex was not willing to work with her and settle out of court. So, they go to court in June.


Jean came to spend the day with Mom and Dad. Mom has had an issue with the pointer-finger on her right hand. She had gotten a fungal infection in the cuticle that invaded the nail and caused a mucous cyst on the nail. It was quite interesting to see...something I had never seen before. She's been soaking it daily, under the instruction of her dermatologist,to clear up the fungal infection and went back today to have the cyst removed. She will lose the nail and we hope that the fungal infection is cleared up and won't affect the new nail as it grows in. She also had a squamous cell carcinoma removed from the back of her right hand. That sure served as a reminder for me to apply my sunscreen! My sunbathing days were over a long time ago, but the Internet says that it takes a very long time for the cells to develope into basil-cell or squamous-cell carcinoma. Too bad most young people won't listen to us old fogies about sunbathing without sunscreen and about tanning beds! Mom can sure tell them a thing or two about what happens as you age!


Jean said Dad was very quiet and not very perky during the day. I attribute that to his lack of sleep last night. By the time I got back here this evening about 7:00 he was very alert. I sat and talked to him about the events of my day and he was very attentive and laughed when I told him some stories!


After I had been here a little while, Mom came and got me and said that Dad wanted to tell me something. I went through a usual list of things to ask him and figured out that he wanted something to eat. It was an interesting process, but I figured out (EUREKA!!!) that he wanted a grilled cheese sandwich! He ate almost the whole sandwich and drank a half a glass of milk with it! I sliced some grapes and told him he had to eat those to counter-act the cheese in his belly, and he ate all of them! After he ate, Christina gave him a nice foot massage! I teased him about being spoiled and he grinned at me as if to say he knew it!! I did tell him, though, that he totally deserved to be spoiled!


Cousin Troy Smith is doing some geneology work on Grandpa Smith's side of the family. He has found a census report from Smith County in 1910 that documents Clay G. Smith (Dad's Grandfather who actually went by Clint Smith), who was born in Smith County and was married to Ida who was from Mississippi. It also documents their children as Cecil (Dad's aunt, age 6), Rice (Dad's father who went by his middle name, Sewell) and James (Dad's uncle whom, as an adult, lived in Palestine TX). Dad had told me that Grandpa Smith was born somewhere near Brady TX, which is in Smith County. If you know any further information about this, please contact Troy or me! I love knowing about our roots!


Dad is asleep in the bedroom recliner, so Mom and I are headed to our side of the house to go to bed. I will talk to you tomorrow! I pray that each of you rests well.


Now I lay me down to sleep, I pray the Lord my soul to keep. And in the morning when I awake, help me Lord, the path of love to take. Amen!

Better!

Good morning to all of you! About 10 p.m. last night Jerry arrived! The Home Care Assistance had appealed to him to come help with Dad during the night and he readily agreed to come! God bless him! Mom and I had a very restful night, once we got settled into our beds.


Jerry and Dad had, what is now, a "usual" night, in that Dad is up and down a lot going to the restroom. However, he is not in pain, which is excellent, praise God! As in the past two days, the Tylenol seems to be all that he needs to keep him comfortable.


Mom and I sent Jerry home (fortunately, he lives in Granite Shoals, which is about 12 minutes away) about 8:30 this morning and she and I are taking good care of him! She keeps reminding me that she took care of him all by herself for a long time. When I start to feel badly about that, I make myself remember that she refused to let us get her any help, and I praise God that she finally gave in. Now she sees how much help they are to her!


Dad seems so much better to me! Only through the grace of God! His color is real good this morning and he ate the whole egg I cooked for him for breakfast! He still wants to remain in the hospital bed rather than come to his living room chair. I plan to try to get him to get up a little bit this afternoon in an attempt to start rebuilding his strength. He is still very strong on his left side though. One of the days Danny was here, he and Dad were holding hands and Danny commented to Dad that his grip was still strong. Dad bent his arm and kind of arm-wrestled with Danny, showing him how strong he still was! Dad can swing his legs out of the bed and turn himself over from one side to the other using the bed rail. His left leg is weaker from lack of exercise, butm now that he is feeling better, maybe we can gradually get him to get up a little bit more and use his legs more. I certainly am not going to push him, but I think it woudl be good for him to be up a little bit. Mom's roses and bluebonnets are absolutely gorgeous and I would love to take him out for some fresh air and to see the flowers. It's awfully windy this morning, so I will wait until that calms down.


The Hospice nurse is here checking Dad's coumadin level, vital signs, etc. and a Hospice aide is due here at 12:45 to bathe him. Mom and I are doing a little laundry. She's so adorable! She watches over every piece of clothing I put in the washer! I respectfully asked her if she would rather do it herslef and she laughed and left the room saying she'd go "put on her face." Well, that lasted about one minute and she was back!! I told her I know how hard it is to let someone else do the things she has done for herself for so many years and she said it really is! So, I will gently do as much as I can!


Mom is going out in a little while to run some errands, go to the bank and the grocery store, etc. Glenda is coming out today so I suggested Mom take her time, piddle around in Wal-Mart, which is one of her favorite passtimes, and go have her favorite chicken marsala at Francesco's in Marble Falls. She seemed pleased to be able to do that! It will be good for her to get out of the house!


For the beauty of each hour,
Of the day and of the night, Hill and vale,
and tree and flower, Sun and moon, and stars of light.
For the joy of ear and eye,
For the heart and mind’s delight,
For the mystic harmony linking sense to sound and sight.
For the joy of human love,
Brother, sister, parent, child,Friends on earth and friends above,
For all gentle thoughts and mild.
Lord of all, to Thee we raise,This our hymn of grateful praise. Amen