Update on GGpa

My dad has hung on longer than we expected. He is now on morphine - not because he is in pain, but to help control his breathing. Without it he takes 40 or so breaths each minute as opposed to 20 or so which is comfortable. He has a wonderful (Godsend) nurse's aide who comes at night so that Mom can get some sleep. My brother Rich has been by his side almost constantly which is another great blessing. I have been there except at night, but today I'm back to school. When I called Mom this morning she said the nurse's aide had him sitting up in a chair for a while which is also helping his breathing. He looks much like a skeleton. He has had moments where he has been very lucid and shares stories and wisdom with us, and other times where he is incoherent. It continues to be quite an adventure. Thank you for all your prayers.

Sorry, Opa! Happy Birthday!

Our attention has been focused on one Dad, and we neglected the other one. Sorry, Opa! Yesterday, Opa had his 82nd birthday! Eighty two years of wisdom, fun, hard work, love, and faithfulness all rolled up in one man, Opa. We love you, Opa! I hope your birthday gave you more of a treat than a bag of McDonald's. Knowing Jane, I'm sure it did! God bless your new year of life with all good things.

From Birth to Death

"So take heart, my friend. God is in full control. Nothing is happening on earth that brings a surprise to heaven. Nothing is outside the scope of His divine radar screen as He guides us safely home. Things that seem altogether confusing, without reason, unfair, even wrong, do indeed fit into the Father's providential plan." -- Our devotion this morning.

Our plans change. I would have been in the springlike air of North Carolina this morning. Instead, Rich and Sheila have come up here. My dad is dying. Family has gathered around. It's an awesome and inspiring thing to behold. Strange as it may seem, it reminds me in so many ways of the six births I have been privileged to observe in recent years. The waiting, the watching, the stages, the pain, the anticipation, the curiousity, the body changes--the wonder of it all. And even though we aren't privileged yet, to see it from the dying one's point of view, we know that this "labor" will end up with a miraculous, awesome, unfathomable, eternal life -- the Father's providential plan.

The other good news in all of this-- if God is at work in the very beginning stages of our lives, and in the very end stages of our lives, we can know without a doubt, that He is with us in every moment in between. For those who travel through trials along the way--such as sickness, job loss, mental anguish, etc....etc....etc...--God is there with his divine, eternal, perfect vantage point.

Will It Be Spring There?

I'm off to Pinehurst, North Carolina by way of Medina, Ohio this evening. My friends Marian and Steve have a daughter that lives 10 minutes away from my brother, Rich. So the three of us are leaving this evening for a long winter break. On the way, we're stopping in Medina to pick up Pat and she's going with us. I don't know if spring will be in bloom there yet, but I'm hoping for, at least, some warmer weather. I'm also looking forward to visiting with Rich and Sheila and seeing their home. I'm ashamed to say that they have lived there quite a while now and I've never been there. Too bad I'm not a golfer. They live right on a golf course. Have a great weekend everyone!

64 years ago!

On February 20, 1943 my Mom and Dad were married in Chicago, IL. Weren't they a handsome couple?? They still are! What a blessing to have their many years of love and faithfulness as an example to follow. What a lot of blessings and trials and changes they have seen and experienced in their lives--from the prairie of North Dakota to the city streets of Chicago. From Model T's and outdoor plumbing to the computer age. Five children (including the death of their firstborn son at a young age). Many homes--10 or 11 maybe? (with lots of building and remodeling). Eight grandchildren, 12 great-grandchildren (so far). Nine siblings -- eight of whom have gone on to heaven. Countless lessons for life handed down to the people whom they love and who love them.

I thank God for the blessing they have been to our family! Happy Anniversary Mom and Dad! I love you!

A Mouse in My House

If only this were the only kind of mouse that inhabited my house. Unfortunately there's the other kind. I was going to post a picture of the invading kind, but it made me squeamish to just look at one. Sunday night when I reached in my bread drawer for something, I discovered someone had been gnawing on a loaf of bread! Yeeeek! Mouse traps have been evaded in favor of my silverware drawer and bread drawer again even though the bread is gone! In the meantime I've been avoiding the kitchen. When we need silverware, I've taken from my plastic supply. Yesterday on my day off I should have cleaned out those two places and sanitized all the silverware, but until the offender has been caught, I have no desire to open the drawers for fear the creepy crawly thing will jump out at me. This is the first time in 8 years that we've had a mouse in our house, and I don't like it one bit!!

Stopping by the Woods on a Snowy Morning

Many a young child will be disappointed today not to be able to hand out their carefully written, enveloped, and sorted valentines, but as for me, I'm happy to get the chance to look out at my snowy woods this morning and glad to know that I don't have "miles to go before I sleep". As for all the teachers around southeast Michigan and other parts of the country, they're probably glad about the day off also, but also realizing that they'll have to postpone their Valentine's parties till another day! Blessings on your day -- all you lovers out there!

A Satisfying Sunday

Andy, Christie, and my sister Jeanne drove over from Grand Haven on Sunday. I fixed brunch at my mom and dad's and we spent a few hours there. Jeanne showed us DVD's of her new grandbaby Bethany's baptism and of her daughter Anne's performance in "Guys and Dolls". The baby is beautiful and Anne was terrific! She has a real talent for musical comedy! I think she really stole the show. Of course, we fast forwarded through everyone's parts but hers, but I was amazed at her Brooklyn accent, her timing, her gestures, and facial expressions. Jeanne stayed with Mom and Dad while Andy and Christie came to our house for dinner. The McClellands and Woehlkes came too. It was the usual mayhem and madness. But fun! Scott was unable to come because we thought he was on his way to France. But the plane got over the Atlantic Ocean when an oil light came on, so they flew back to Detroit. That would mean he'd miss a whole day in France so he cancelled the whole trip. We're just happy he's not on the bottom of the Atlantic Ocean somewhere. I wanted to post some pictures, but my battery must have run out and so I didn't get any. Blessings to all!

Career Changes

Career Changes have been on my mind a lot the last week or so--prompted by: Christie wanting to change careers at at early age; a number of people I know that are my age that involuntarily find themselves having to change careers; one of our middle school teachers who is leaving teaching next week to move his family to Denver to take a job completely unrelated to teaching; a corporation president and his son being escorted out of the company that his grandfather started; the possibility that my job situation may change a bit next year.

What would I do if I were to make a career change? What would be my dream job? I've always wanted to be a harmonizing back-up type singer for some kind of group like the Supremes. That would be fun! I've dabbled at composing music. I always thought it would be fun to sit and play piano at a department store such as Von Maur's. Do people get paid for holding and rocking babies? What would be the endless (or perhaps minimal) possibilities for a person like me?

I really do love my job, now, though. But what if I had to face a change? I'm praying for "billboards" from God for all those people that I know that don't have a choice in the matter right now.

When Did We Become Such Wimps?

Mind you--I'm not complaining--especially since I have another day off of school. But I'm just wondering--when did we become such wimps? My dad tells stories of being on his horse out in the fields on his farm in North Dakota bringing in the cows when the temperature was -45 degrees! What about the schoolchildren in Minnesota, or Alaska, or Siberia? Do they have all their 0 and below days off? I don't remember ever having "cold" days off when I was a child. Is it because scarves are now outlawed in some schools?-- a choking danger. Don't we all remember that feeling of our spit and snot freezing on the inside of the scarf, and peeking through the little space between our stocking hats and our scarves? What will be the magic temperature (the fine line) to say that it's now safe to go to school again? They say tomorrow will be a degree or two warmer--will that difference make the difference?? Will we have to make up these days or will school be called off in June when we have the danger of "Hot" days?

This and That

This has been a very busy week that has been, at times, lots of fun, very touching, very trying, and very tiring. We've spent time with my mom and dad, a hospice nurse, and friends who are always there for you. We spent fun time with grandchildren enjoying the winter while we can. (Ron, there are some good things about winter.) Tom and I both have had a tough week at work. I love my job, but there are times when prepping for and teaching 21 children individually, meeting with parents, and keeping up with requests of teachers for consultations feels like full-time plus. I'm ready for a weekend! God bless yours!