-Two heads are better than one - At this point taking care of Mom is a group effort. I may think doing something one way is the best way and Kerry, Todd, Mike or the hospice nurse will jump in and do something that I would never think of that works. Picture me wiping my brow in relief as its all about keeping Mom as comfortable and pain free as possible.
-Charity begins at home- Kerry and Adam have turned their house into a hospital and hotel. Today is their 11th wedding anniversary and I think they forgot. They are so busy making sure that Mom has what she needs and making sure all of us are fed and comfortable too, while still taking care of Luke and Hannah. Kerry & Adam are certainly doing what is right and will be rewarded for it in the future in some way, I'm sure.
-You can lead a horse to water, but you can't make him drink- The difference between Mom's health last Saturday and this is a 180 degree switch. Mom sleeps most of the time and we really have to annoy her to get her to open her eyes. We try to give her water and ice chips, but she resists or is unable.
-It's always darkest before dawn- See Mom like this is numbing. I find myself looking at Mom, catching a family member's eye and together we can do nothing but shake our heads. Seeing a person you love in this state never truly makes sense. I don't think its suppose to.
-Laughter is the best medicine- Mom is currently not lucid, but a few days ago she was sitting in a wheelchair and I had warmed up some home made chicken noodle soup for her. She had it sitting on the tray in front of her, but seemingly not interested in eating when she started struggling to take off the oxygen from around her nose. I tried to put it back on her nose and she shooed my hands away and all she said was "hot". It dawned on me as she turned the oxygen toward the soup that she was using the oxygen to cool off the soup. Kerry and I had a good laugh over that one! Mom has always been ingenious with that sort of thing.
-Here today gone tomorrow- Why do you think an adage is an adage? Well it's something that many people have found to be true. I think we'd all live more fulfilled lives by remembering yet another adage like "Live like every day is your last". As far as Mom is concerned, it is my prayer that she passes from this life quickly. For those of you that are praying, it's time to switch gears. Please pray that Mom can have some moments of clarity and lucidity over the next few days. Mom has not had a chance to accept her passing, which I think would be best for her to do. My family here in VA has not had the 3 weeks that I had in Florida to make peace with Mom and Mom had expressed to me some things that would be nice if she could express to individuals in her own words.
-Every cloud has a silver lining- I believe this. I think our whole family does and we're waiting for it. I'll keep you posted.
~Michelle
4 comments:
I can't express how much we love you all. We hurt with you and we hope that there will be some days of clarity for your Mom and days of peace for you all. We're praying diligently that God will give you an extra dose of His peace, grace, energy and patience. We can't imagine how yall must be feeling, but we feel it right along with you. You're all in our hearts and our prayers.
With many deep felt hugs
Deb and Adam
Dear all,
We just read Kerry's email and Michelle's update on Nancy's blog. Please know that there are brothers and sisters in Christ in NY praying for all of you as you walk this painful path. God is near. Love to all of you.
Mark and Donna-Rei Sellers
Michelle and Kerry: Please know that you, your mom, and your family are in my thoughts and prayers. Galatians 6:9, "Let us not grow weary in doing good for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up."
Dawn (Bach) Hartill
Hello Mike, Nancy and families,
We have many wonderful memories of the close fellowship in Christ our families shared during the years you lived in Weedsport and Auburn, NY. We love each of you and pray daily for your family. We know God is working out some important and wonderful plan in each of your lives. True joy comes from abandoning ourselves to the glory of God and His redemptive purposes in the world. Psalm 66:1-2 says "Shout for joy to God, all the earth; sing the glory of His Name; give to Him glorious praise!" Keep walking with Jesus. What joys await us in heaven are partly unknown. But we do know that we'll spend eternity with all believers and with our Savior. What a reunion that will be!
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