Tuesday, November 06, 2007

WOW...

It's been a tough few weeks--a surprising number of difficult events tripping over one another:

Sadly, jb lost her Mother a few days ago. This blog is not the place to say much more than that, exceptthat jb has been courageous and loving throughout her trip to say goodbye and her return home with her heart filled with the hope that her Mother is now lovingly at peace.
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In the last couple of days jb's been blessed with prayers, calls, cards and sweet arrivals at the back door. Today our friend Tracy came by with a beautiful plant and card. Yesterday this "edible" flower arrangement arrived from jb's work colleagues. How cool is this--fresh fruit flowers on sticks!
My dear Mother has completed rehab. for her broken hip and has moved in with jb and me for a month or so, while we figure out the best long term living situation for her. She uses a walker to get around, has physical therapy at home 3 times a week, and we've hired a couple of "companions" to stay with her a few hours at a time since she cannot be left alone and I HAVE to get out of the house at least once a day.
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I love my Mother and she is a wonderful person. She will not be able to live alone again, she thoughtfully and understandably does not want to live with us, and her memory leaves her often confused and sometimes afraid about how she has come to be here and what will happen now. We do not have an extended family locally around to pitch in and that makes for a difficult situation--even me the optimist is struggling to stay above water.
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The only thing I can say is love and resourceful planning will take care of this in due time.
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SO. Not an easy time, right? But wait: there's more!
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Yours truly is having knee surgery this Thursday. I should be laid up for a max of two weeks, just in time to help jb because she TOO is have knee surgery--much more extensive than mine, with a much longer recovery period.
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Holidays? Well....I like the Holidays. This year? Well.....I can't really say. I'm mantra-ing one of my favorite sayings, "Ride the Horse in the Direction She's Going". As well as, "Bend, Like a Tree".
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Ok: that's enough campaigning for the sympathy vote. Plus I know how to end with a bang.
SO: May I re-introduce Mr. Ryan, who is now crawling, smiling with four teeth, and preparing to be the recipient of his No-Name Grandmother's destiny with her new guitar.


15 comments:

  1. OMG! He's gotten so big in the blink of an eye....Time zooms....and I hope it will for you girls, knee surgeries and all....Wishing you speedy recoveries .....Much love to you both during these trying times, and peace.....always, peace...

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  2. I've been thinking of you two so much the past week -- I had a feeling there was a lot going on and have been sending love and hugs from down here. Please relay a hug to JB for me, and have her hug you for me, too. That bouquet is the best EVER! Love and big hugs! xoxo

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  3. Yes..it's been quite a ride lately. Quite a ride indeed. Good luck on your knee surgery. Doesn't sound like much fun, eh?

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  4. Speedy recoveries and I'll hide that brilliant looking edible flower arrangment from Jack :)

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  5. I hope Thursday goes smoothly. Let me know if you need a ride to or from, or whatever. I can & will make time to do it.
    Ryan is growing like crazy! Cute!

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  6. You and your family will be in my thoughts.

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  7. Oh I have attempted to comment three times already and always get called away to obligations and chores. Now that I find the time, I want to comment on the many points of this post but keep getting distracted by that adorable, huggable, beautiful, handsome, cute little darling. I can't believe I miss him! Okay I hope this statement will be enough for the other points for now: I love you all!

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  8. everyone: thanks for your well wishes. we are all hanging in!

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  9. WOW! You are really going through some big stuff right now! I'm so sorry for jb's loss. I hope you have an easy-ish transition with your mom. I wish for you a speedy recovery with your knee and jb too! Sure am glad you have each other as it seems you both are going through many of the same things at the same time. Lots of Loveand good wishes with a hug on top~ val

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  10. Whew! I made it at last!

    Keeping JB in my thoughts, this is a tough transition to make, hope she will be good to herself.
    The fruit basket - what a great twist on an old favourite!
    And having our moms live with us - even short term - is a difficult transition too - Hang in there - and we will keep fingers crossed that the best solution for her presents itself at just the right time.
    Will be thinking of you on Thursday, my goodness youve got a full plate at the moment! Hugs!

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  11. I can't believe I read this post and didn't leave a comment! You've had a bit of a rough ride, and poor jb, but your attitude is always positive. Thinking of you!

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  12. I'm so very sorry to hear about JB's mother, my sympathies to her, losing a parent is losing a part of yourself, I guess you lose a part of your being, you identity.

    I also hope that the knee surgery goes well for both of you.

    I feel sorry for you both, as I realize this must be a very busy, stressy time. Your agenda seems to be well filled.

    So I guess things can only get better. Or am I being too optimistic?

    Hang in there, I'm sending you some good vibes.

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  13. That's a rough run you guys have been having, and I'm sorry to hear it. Take care of yourselves (and each other!).

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  14. Oh my gosh, Ryan is getting so big!

    I hope the surgery went well...

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