The Last Quarter

No, I'm not down to my last $.25, not yet at least. This is the last quarter of the year. That is hard to believe. I know all the Christmas letters you'll get (maybe even write) will say "Where has the year gone???" Well, I'm going to get a jump on those and say it now. Where has this year gone? How could October be here already?

Obviously time didn't pass more quickly this year than in any other year. We still have 24 hour days, 7 day weeks, etc. I think we just become so busy with life that our days seem to disappear and we stand back as if watching an express train fly through the station, mouths agape, wondering how it passed by so fast.

The Apostle Paul wrote this in the letter to the Ephesians:
"Be very careful, then, how you live - not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil."

That's my desire as 2009 races to its end. I want to be wise in how I live and take every opportunity to tell others the good news of Jesus. The days are not only evil but they are short, with no promise of tomorrow. This could be the last quarter. Be careful, be wise.

Is Fall Really Here??

I heard today that a cold front may push into this area tomorrow or Wednesday, bringing drier and cooler air. Could that be? Are we really that close to the end of this oppressively hot, muggy summer? The heat just wearies me.

My native Floridian soul is longing for a cool morning on my little porch with a cup of hot coffee and a dog at my feet. Ahhh. Just the thought of it lowers my blood pressure and pulse and puts a smile on my face.

Fall is my favorite season, and each year I can hardly wait for its arrival. Its signs are more subtle down here in the Sunshine State, but they are here: cardinal vine in full bloom, fuschia colored berries circling the stems of the Beauty Berry, yellow leaves dropping from the wild cherry trees. It is nothing like Vermont or even North Carolina, but there is color here in Autumn. You just have to know where to look. And you can see it best from the front porch, coffee in hand...

PS. The picture is definitely NOT Florida, but isn't it beautiful?

Finally Home

On Tuesday night my mom peacefully passed from this life into the presence of her Savior. She had tried to fight off the pneumonia, but was far too weak to do so. Because of the care she received from Hospice she was without pain, and in those last hours was completely at peace.

There are few words to adequately describe our gratitude for the staff at Hospice House in Hudson, and at the Hospice Care Center in Spring Hill. The doctors and nurses at both those facilities were such a comfort to Mother and to me. I am so grateful.

I will miss my mother, but I know that she is with Jesus. Thank you for your prayers for our family. I felt the peace of God, a perfect peace, as I sat in Mother's room on her last day here on earth. I'm confident that was because of the friends who were lifting me up in prayer, and I am grateful.

Hospice

My mom is now in the care of Hospice House. She is quite weak and tired, and I don't think she has a long time left before she enters the presence of Jesus. While she is ready to go and even asks God to take her home, she is naturally reluctant to leave those she loves so much here.
My prayer is that the loving Father will give her peace about coming home to spend eternity with Him, and that she will pass peacefully from this world. "For to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord."

A Ride In The Ambulance

This picture was taken at Jordan's birthday party two months ago, when my mom was feeling pretty good. The cancer doctor saw signs of remission, and her overall health seemed to be improving. That has changed in the past two weeks because of a small blood clot in her leg, and an injury to her back caused when she decided to move her bed without asking for help. (She tends to be a little stubborn and independent. If you know my mom, you aren't surprised by that statement.) Those things had caused a lot of pain, forcing her to use a walker at home and the wheelchair when away from home.
Yesterday morning when I checked on my mom, I found her struggling to breathe. Her blood pressure and pulse were high and she was quite weak. I decided she needed to go to the hospital and called for paramedics. When they evaluated her, they told her she should take a ride with them. I think paramedics must take "Compassion 101" in their training, because they were so kind and gentle with her.
At the hospital a very sweet nurse named Barb cared for Mama. After blood tests, EKG, chest x-ray and other testing, the diagnosis is "extensive pneumonia in both lungs." When I left her she was sleeping, her heart rate and blood pressure near normal and her breathing less labored.
After I visit her this morning, I will update again. Thank you for praying for her.

Mimi, guess what...

On Tuesday night our 8-year old grandson called to tell us that his mommy is going to have a baby. He was very excited. We walked to their house because, well,it seemed appropriate to hug everyone. When we walked in, the three younger kids were sitting side by side in the dining room waiting for us. The baby, Jordan, who is three, said, "I'm gonna be a big brother!! We gonna get a baby. I'm gonna be a big brother!"

We are just so delighted to be blessed with another grandchild, number six for us. God is truly the giver of life. Because our daughter miscarried about this time last year, we cannot help but think of that. We have committed this tiny little life, already known to God by name, into His keeping, and pray for safety and health.

Summer Doldrums

I didn't know it had been almost two months since my last posting. I think it's about time I get caught up.
My mom is definitely in remission. Her doctor told her last week that just looking at her blood tests, he wouldn't know she had anything wrong with her at all. I'm so grateful that God, through this doctor and cancer treatment center, has restored a good measure of health to her. She still continues treatment, but has more time off between chemo rounds than before. That gives a time of rest both to her and to me, the driver.

Our son continues to look for work. It is such a bad time to be unemployed, but at the same time, is exciting to watch how God will provide for him.

We had a wonderful family time for Independence Day. Todd and Jared, with help from friends, had the pool back up after the recent mishap and loss of water. So we swam, ate, swam some more, ate some more - you get the picture. I'm so thankful for the freedom to gather and celebrate with the people we love most.

Dan is better after the scare in church involving paramedics that happened three weeks ago. I pray God will be gracious and keep him here a very long time. We are monitoring his blood pressure, and I "nag" him to be careful as he works in the heat, to not overdo. My deep thanks for those of you who prayed for him, and who continue to pray for my mother.

My prayer is this: Lord, I want to make much of you in everything I do. So whether I'm rejoicing or disappointed, harried or calm, with others or alone, may I focus my heart on you and not on myself.