Memorial Day

This is Memorial Weekend - one where we honor the fallen and the living soldiers that fought (and are still fighting) to make our country the best place to live. My father is a WWII Veteran and I love to hear the stories he tells about being shot down over France and his experiences. He tells anyone who will listen about how many missions he was in as a Belly Gunner in a B-17. His memory of those days is a sharp as ever and he recalls them with certainty of every event. Yet, today, every event is a mystery, he loses his glasses on a daily basis and doesn't remember how to use a screwdriver or make toast. You see, my father is suffering from Alzheimer's, a debilitating disease that afflicts thousands each year. He can remember vivid details of his youth and of the war, but he loses contact with the world he lives in today. I am so grateful that he remembers names of family, friends and we are very blessed that this disease hasn't taken that away. It has robbed him of his love for plants and the orchids he spent all his life raising. Daddy can still take care of his own personal needs, with reminders, which my mother detests! My mother, God Bless her, is amazing. She endures more in one day than many don't encounter in lifetime, yet she believes that it is her duty to care for him and not place him in a nursing home. Her fear - that he would strongly object and possibly become violent. My parents still live in the house I grew up in and I don't think they will ever leave. My mother is a typical "Joan of Arc" and will "Stand by Her Man" until they die. I appreciate that generation for their tenacity to endure whatever is in God's plan for them, never questioning why.
So Happy Memorial Day, Daddy! Thank you for standing up for this Country! I pray that you keep telling those "war stories" and keep those memories alive! You are still a soldier fighting this new battle.

Pondering....

As the days go by and I'm still sitting/lying/lounging in this recliner with my foot in a cast propped up on stack of pillows, I'm still pondering on where God is taking me on this journey. Last June, my beloved husband passed away after a short struggle with cancer.
Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.
I love this verse and feel so comforted by it often. Yet, I still wonder and want to know - what are those plans??
As I listen to the words of my new favorite song; "Hold Us Together", by Matt Maher, I am also reassured:

It don't have a job
Don't pay your bills
Won't buy you a home
In Beverly Hills

Won't fix your life
In five easy steps
Ain't the law of the land
Or the government

PRE CHORUS:
But it's all you need..

CHORUS:
Love, will, hold us together
Make us a shelter
to weather the storm

And I'll, be, my brothers keeper
So the whole world will know
That we're not alone

It's waiting for you
Knockin' at your door!
Every moment of truth
When your heart hits the floor

PRE CHORUS TWO:
When you're on your knees then...

CHORUS:
Love, will, hold us together
Make us a shelter
to weather the storm

And I'll, be, my brothers keeper
So the whole world will know
That we're not alone

BRIDGE:
This is the first, day of the rest of your life
This is the first, day of the rest of your life
'Cause even in the dark you can still see the light
It's gonna be alright, s'gonna be alright

This is the first, day of the rest of your life
This is the first, day of the rest of your life
'Cause even in the dark you can still see the light
It's gonna be alright, s'gonna be alright

CHORUS:
Love, will, hold us together
Make us a shelter
to weather the storm

And I'll, be, my brothers keeper
So the whole world will know
That we're not alone

Broken Bones

A very close family member suggested I start a blog since I'm confined to this recliner - so here goes!

I slipped on a uneven trail Thursday evening falling in a wide washout on the trail, then another person fell and landed on top of my foot. The pain was instant and I got that old familiar nauseous feeling and knew in my heart something was really wrong with my foot. Thankfully, the other people involved in the fall were not injured and were able to continue on the trail. After two wonderful "angles" carrying me out of the woods back to an awaiting car driven by a sweet RN, we headed to the Emergency Room in Kerrville. By now it was 10:30pm and I was in serious pain. After waiting and waiting, x-rays and more waiting, (still no pain meds), the doctor on call finally cam in to break the news that I had 4 bones in my foot that were broken as a result of the accident. Then more waiting and finally morphine and a splint, we were on our way back to camp. The rest of the weekend turned out to be an amazing retreat. I received so many rich blessings and was able to minister to women how with trust and faith in God, All Things are Possible!

Upon return home to San Antonio and the visit to the Orthopedic Doctor, a CT Scan and new results of 5 broken bones in my poor little foot. I now have a very large cast on my foot and strict orders from the doctor to do nothing, but lay on my back on a couch or recliner with my foot elevated above my heart. He told me I must do this to avoid surgery and to ensure the swelling goes down. Two weeks! All I can do is get up and walk with a walker to go to bathroom. Wonder what lesson I'm supposed to learn from this experience? I know how good God is and that he always has a master plan so I'm just kicking back and soaking up the blessings. I see the doctor again on May 24 and am praying that he will put me in a new cast and release me to work. I have a walker and this really cool knee scooter to get around. It's all good. I believe the swelling has gone down significantly because my foot feels very loose in it. Maybe I should call the doc tomorrow.....

Now, this isn't the first time He has attempted to teach me through injury. In the spring of 1999, I broke my left arm while on a vacation trip with my son, Bobby, in Tennessee. With backpacks loaded for a 5 night camping, we set out on the Appalachian Trail. What a beautiful and peaceful place; no cell phones, no computers, no crowds, no traffic ----- oops! Watch out for hidden tree roots on the trail! Down I went catching my full weight (and that heavy backpack) on my left arm. I heard a little cracking sound, then immediately got sick to my stomach and knew I had a broken bone. My wonderful son felt a sudden urge of military training (although he forgot any 1st aid training) and decided to run back to the trailhead to get help! Now, keep in mind, there were no crowds, no traffic, no cell phones.....AND we had already hiked for 2 & 1/2 hours. It was approximately 4pm when I fell in this low spot along the forrest trail - you know lots of fallen trees, brush, good place for all the snakes and night critters to come out. The Smokey Mountains are known for Black Bear - so this was also a consideration. Okay, I was all alone, Bobby had gone for help (like Lassie) and it is getting dark, my arm hurts and I'm afraid of snakes! I gain my composure and make a sling out of my flannel shirt (I felt a little like McGiver) then gather my sleeping bag, a cup, a bagel, headlamp and bottle of water (remember I only have one arm) and make 3 trips back up the trail to a clump of trees that would be my "spot" for the next 6 hours! I had some faith in God, but definitely not the same level and personal relationship I have today. But He loves me and showed His amazing love by keeping me safe into the night while I waited for Bobby to get back with help. By the time he finally came back it was already midnight and I was very tired. Fortunately, I had some 500 mg Ibuprofen in my backpack which helped take off the edge of the pain. The paramedic tried to place my arm in another splint (remove my McGiver sling) and the pain was so intense he had to stop. We got everything together and made the 2 1/2 hour hike back out of the forest and back to our vehicles, then on the the Emergency Room - ahhhh, narcotics, x-ray and a splint. We checked into a hotel for the night and off to a local southern doctor the next day to get a cast on my arm. What a vacation! I spent the rest of the day in bed sleeping and Bobby went back to the mountains and the trail to get our backpacks out of the woods. He ended up making two trips (that's alot of miles on his feet). The next few days of my vacation were sent doing what other tourists do - sightseeing. We went to Grand Ol' Opry Hotel and walked around the place for hours. Very pretty and enjoyed the time. I was terribly broken hearted that we didn't get the time with nature in the woods, but I have to admit while I was alone in the mountain, I did alot of talking to God. I felt very peaceful and began to realize that He was protecting me again. I felt so much love during that peaceful time in the mountain when there was not another human or man made thing to distract me. Our vacation was still very meaningful and beautiful. We had a great time together and I got a little closer to God.