On the other side of the fence!
But it's not a fence that I wish to be involved with. My mother-in-law went to the hospital last night with pains that the doctors have yet to be able to diagnose. It's the first time that I have visited someone in the hospital since my illness. We were all there today to cheer her up but she was doing great on her own. Her spirits were high and she seemed to be doing fairly well.
Unfortunately, as I stated up above, no one has been able to focus in on the cause of her problem(s). So, please keep her in your prayers.
Yesterday was a great day up until the moment that she went into the hospital - around 10:00 last night. Yesterday was also my nephew's 30th birthday as well. It seems like just yesterday when he was born. Of course, come Friday, my mother-in-law turns 93 and the doctor said that she should be out of the hospital and able to celebrate the day with all of us.
There is not much else to comment on as my mother-in-law's status obviously is of top priority. Tomorrow and Sunday will be visits tothe hospital as she was told that she won't be leaving until at least Monday.
Otherwise, I hope that each of you had a wonderful day as we now launch into the Christmas season and the never ending torture of endless Christmas music from now until the actual day. Don't get me wrong, it's nice to hear the songs. But, by starting now, when Christmas day actually arrives I am so relieved that the music will stop!
Now that I am back to "good health". my wife wishes to have everyone here for Christmas and that will be the case. However, it does mean that we will go into over-the-top mode when it comes to decorating because she wants to make sure that we are "truly festive" for the season and for our company. Two years ago when I was in the hospital - there were no decorations. Last year they were minimal. This year will make up for lost time.
However, let's all agree to look at Christmas for what it really is (the commemoration of the birth of Jesus) and, once again, we should be able to get something positive out of the month long trek to the holiday.
As the saying goes, "Jesus is the reason for the season"...
Bob
November 24, 2010 11:59 PM
Happy Thanksgiving to everyone!
And happy is the right word to use as the day provides us all with the opportunity to sit back and reflect on all of the blessings that we have and yet, simultaneously, feel that we probably don't deserve. Sure, life deals us some lousy cards once in a while. But, as with bridge, play the hand out the best that you can and move on to the next one looking for a more positive deal.
We always hope for the best and I've found that that is the best way to be. For me, my faith constantly provides me with that feeling of hope that things will work out. Obviously, the past two years were never pictured to be as they actually turned out. But, likewise, I never would have found out the things about myself that I've come to know without this experience. I'm certainly not wishing my situation upon anyone but I am saying that there has been a silver lining within that black cloud for me.
Basically, I've stepped outside the box that I was in because, in the long run, you realize that who and what you are is what's most important and that the other things are just fluff. As a result, I've done all those things around the house for the past year that I would not otherwsie have done because they are just things. If I make a mistake - it can be fixed. That's been the biggest hurdle to overcome. If you make a mistake - don't be concerned about it just move on. Believe me, that mindset opens many doors for you.
My list of blessings is quite large - family, long time friends, my current health, the new friends that I have made this past year, the knowledge that I'm not afraid to tackle things that I've never done before, the comfort that God provides me, etc.
Those are some of mine.
Now think about yours...
Bob
And happy is the right word to use as the day provides us all with the opportunity to sit back and reflect on all of the blessings that we have and yet, simultaneously, feel that we probably don't deserve. Sure, life deals us some lousy cards once in a while. But, as with bridge, play the hand out the best that you can and move on to the next one looking for a more positive deal.
We always hope for the best and I've found that that is the best way to be. For me, my faith constantly provides me with that feeling of hope that things will work out. Obviously, the past two years were never pictured to be as they actually turned out. But, likewise, I never would have found out the things about myself that I've come to know without this experience. I'm certainly not wishing my situation upon anyone but I am saying that there has been a silver lining within that black cloud for me.
Basically, I've stepped outside the box that I was in because, in the long run, you realize that who and what you are is what's most important and that the other things are just fluff. As a result, I've done all those things around the house for the past year that I would not otherwsie have done because they are just things. If I make a mistake - it can be fixed. That's been the biggest hurdle to overcome. If you make a mistake - don't be concerned about it just move on. Believe me, that mindset opens many doors for you.
My list of blessings is quite large - family, long time friends, my current health, the new friends that I have made this past year, the knowledge that I'm not afraid to tackle things that I've never done before, the comfort that God provides me, etc.
Those are some of mine.
Now think about yours...
Bob
November 23, 2010 12:45 AM
Glad to be still trucking along...
I can remember all too well this time two years ago as I sat in the hospital with Thanksgiving approaching and knowing that I would still be there on that day. But the doctors put it all in perspective when they said that their goal was not to have me be available for Thanksgiving 2008 but for many more Thanksgivings after that. So far I have added two more to the list(if I can be presumpuous enough to assume that I will still be with you all on Thursday).
Yes, I can take life one day at a time, but it's nice to step back once in a while and truly think about the future as well. Spending time at family gatherings celebrating the good things in life, socializing with friends, doing things with the grandchildren, etc. Those are all activities and milestones that tend to keep us going for the long haul.
In two weeks it will be my mother-in-law's 93rd birthday. Later in December it will be my mother's 88th. It's nice to be able to be around for these events. And we all feel that there is something unfair about a child passing away before the parent does. Thank God for the advances of modern medicine such that I am fully able to participate in all that life has to offer.
As for my day to day activities, I just finished my lighting project of putting four recessed lights into our den ceiling. These are the kinds of jobs that I like the best bcause they add functionality where none existed before. The additional light is such a big plus in the room.
Next on the list is replacing all the kitchen cabinet doors. The doors arrived Saturday - nicely delivered to the wrong address by Fed-Ex. In any case, they are here and in the ensuing weeks I'll pick up and start that going. I have to drill all the holes for the hinges and the door knobs but it was quite a savings not to have the door manufacturer do it.
It's time for a little rest between now and Thursday as I have spent so much time over the past few days going up and down a ladder to my attic and climbing up and down a stool to mount the lights that I almost feel like a human yo-yo.
As for the only issue that I have(my eyes). Unfortunately, I see(a very poor pun at best) very little progress(if any) with the cornea situation in my right eye. The vision remains blurry. So I view my next visit to Mass Eye And Ear as being a very telling one as to what the future holds for me in that regard.
But, Thursday is a day to give thanks and I have so much to be thankful for. Any mild inconvenience is nothing when compared to the alternative.
I am here...
Bob
I can remember all too well this time two years ago as I sat in the hospital with Thanksgiving approaching and knowing that I would still be there on that day. But the doctors put it all in perspective when they said that their goal was not to have me be available for Thanksgiving 2008 but for many more Thanksgivings after that. So far I have added two more to the list(if I can be presumpuous enough to assume that I will still be with you all on Thursday).
Yes, I can take life one day at a time, but it's nice to step back once in a while and truly think about the future as well. Spending time at family gatherings celebrating the good things in life, socializing with friends, doing things with the grandchildren, etc. Those are all activities and milestones that tend to keep us going for the long haul.
In two weeks it will be my mother-in-law's 93rd birthday. Later in December it will be my mother's 88th. It's nice to be able to be around for these events. And we all feel that there is something unfair about a child passing away before the parent does. Thank God for the advances of modern medicine such that I am fully able to participate in all that life has to offer.
As for my day to day activities, I just finished my lighting project of putting four recessed lights into our den ceiling. These are the kinds of jobs that I like the best bcause they add functionality where none existed before. The additional light is such a big plus in the room.
Next on the list is replacing all the kitchen cabinet doors. The doors arrived Saturday - nicely delivered to the wrong address by Fed-Ex. In any case, they are here and in the ensuing weeks I'll pick up and start that going. I have to drill all the holes for the hinges and the door knobs but it was quite a savings not to have the door manufacturer do it.
It's time for a little rest between now and Thursday as I have spent so much time over the past few days going up and down a ladder to my attic and climbing up and down a stool to mount the lights that I almost feel like a human yo-yo.
As for the only issue that I have(my eyes). Unfortunately, I see(a very poor pun at best) very little progress(if any) with the cornea situation in my right eye. The vision remains blurry. So I view my next visit to Mass Eye And Ear as being a very telling one as to what the future holds for me in that regard.
But, Thursday is a day to give thanks and I have so much to be thankful for. Any mild inconvenience is nothing when compared to the alternative.
I am here...
Bob
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