A new year, a cold morning and the sun is shining. Best of all THE SON is willing to take charge of the events of this new year if we allow Him, and I for one am pleased to put everything in His nail scared Hands.
Boots, our lazy dog, is trusting all will go well for the family in this new year. I began the year with our traditional family breakfast (oyster stew) and went to St Stephen Episcopal Church for worship. My appetite has been very poor since going on Cipro for my Urinary Tract Infection but I had a desire for Tacos yesterday and Ms Rush, our Care Provider, fixed all of us Tacos for lunch. June and I spent Sunday afternoon holding hands, watching TV, and making the most of conversation as best I could understand what she said. This morning she was all smiles when we got her up, and when I went to her after breakfast she was still smiling. She spends the day in the Den, napping, possibly watching TV, but seems to note who I am when I walk into the room, greet her and get a smile in return.
This morning I have been working on year end financial reporting for the household account getting ready for tax filing later. Home care for June in 2011 cost $50,110.45, and thanks be to God for providing through friends the extra money needed beyond our income to meet this expense. Nursing home would have been even more, but having her home I know the care she is receiving. Dementia is costly in more ways than just finances. The stress from uncertainty weighs heavily, and my lower back pain could be related to stress. Hospice has been a blessing this past year. I go tomorrow for a follow-up to my family physician and will find out more about the UTI problem. At least the localized kidney pain has stopped.
I am speaking Tuesday at the Altavista Rotary on Dementia, and Wednesday starting the new year at our Kirk Church Bible Study teaching on Hosea. Now to do some study in preparation for that assignment. Have a great day and a Happy New Year.
John Stevens said,
January 2, 2012 at 10:53 am
Happy New Year! God is surely faithful! God’s very best to you and yours!
Jack & Margaret
Jack & Susannah Dabney said,
January 2, 2012 at 10:55 am
Blessings in Christ my friend of these many years. We thank the Lord for June’s smiles in your direction, and for her words to you a couple days ago, “I love you so much.” We have not been able to be in touch since early December. Our daughter Esther (number 8) has been diagnosed with an Autoimmune Disease called Sarcoidosis. Most who contract this disease are able to manage and survive, For others it is terminal. Her initial symptoms were scarey and we drove from our home to hers in Chandler, OK (7 Hours) and we spent two weeks trying to set her free for tests and from worry about feeding her family and caring for her children, so her husband could work. She is on a steroid (predizone) and as they have adjusted same, her symptoms have improved. We arrived back here a week or so before Christmas, Enjoyed family during this wonderful season, yet I lost my ability to respond to your updates. Please forgive me. I am scheduled to preach next Sunday at the local Presbyterian church where we are now active members. I look forward to that, though I am somewhat out of practice. Would appreciate any prayer that you could offer for me in this regard. We are well and still aware of God’s gracious blessing. Greet your bride for us. All the best in 2012. His love and ours, Jack and Susannah
Jack & Susannah Dabney said,
January 2, 2012 at 10:56 am
Correction: Esther is daughter number 7, not 8)
Fr. Drew said,
January 2, 2012 at 12:01 pm
Be blessed in the new year! Our love, Fr.Drew & Julie