Today's Blessings

While I have lost many close family members over the past 10 years or so, I never "participated" in caring for them in the end of their lives, like I am doing with Papa.  For all it's sadness, there are many beautiful moments and the satisfaction of knowing that he's receiving such loving, gentle care from us and the hospice employees. We should all hope for such an end to this existence. 

The kindnesses and love shown to us by friends, family and neighbors has been a blessing.  It's so comforting to know that people really care and that they'll take a moment out of their busy lives, to show their concern or offer to help in some way.  For example, several of my co-workers and my Uncle Lee, are donating some of their vacation time to me so that I can continue to get a paycheck while taking care of my father.  Since he's been so sick the past two years, I managed to use up most of my leave credits while taking care of him, so their contributions are such a blessing.

Yesterday, we received cards from my staff and co-workers, many of whom worked closely with Papa before his retirement.  I read Papa their heart-felt comments, which I am sure he really appreciated.  My friend, Kathleen (aka "Earth Angel") left some inspirational booklets on the windshield of my car.  She always knows just the right thing to do at the right time!  

He is receiving telephone calls and visitors from those closest to him, including family from long distances.

Today Fly Boy and his new fiance' arrived for his 10th high school reunion and a vacation!  She's absolutely beautiful (a real looker as Papa said), sweet, ambitious and she wants 4 kids!  The mother of my grandchildren, finally!  Fly Boy said he's taking the mother of my grandkids and Ab to an amusement park next week!  Ab's very excited and needs that fun distraction right now. 

My former inlaws, to whom I remain very close, drove Fly Boy up from the big city and they visited with Papa for a few minutes.  While I cried, my former mother-in-law hugged me, with deep understanding as she now has hospice assisting her with her 102 year old father. We had a few laughs about her father's flirty antics with the pretty hospice home health aide.  At 102 years old, you can get away with inappropriately grabbing the nurse and people think it's cute!  My former father-in-law has decided that since he's now 75, he can get started and get it down to a science!

Other blessings.......My brother Noel and his wife also arrived today to spend the weekend with us.  Noel bought dinner for us and gave Ab 20 bucks for the carnival at our Mountain Festival this weekend!  Noel is a chef, and he's agreed to make a special meal for us tomorrow night.  YUM!

Tam's cooked several scrumptious meals for us this week and taken Ab out to the country to feed Jake, her lamb, which is so appreciated. 

Aunt Mary has helped me in so many ways.  She said she does "good laundry" and asked me to let her handle it! I had no objection!  She's right...she does excellent laundry!  The kitchen gets cleaned every day and my house is slowly getting back in order. 

Trish came over after work and helped me sort mountains of paperwork that was stacked up on my dining room table.  She's a task master and without her, I would have procrastinated until it was a fire hazard.  Papers have now been shredded, sorted and organized and tomorrow, we may all enjoy Noel's special dinner around the table.  That hasn't happened in a l-o-n-g time.  You could say it's a Thanksgiving of sorts!