Catherine-Ann / Pure-Grace
Oct. 11, 2022
MUCH TO BE THANKFUL FOR (10.10.22)
Monday, October 10, 2022 7:48 PM
Hello! Hope you had a happy Thanksgiving.
Sometimes, when I've had a lot of great stuff happening at once, it can be like a huge buffet, it is so bountiful, but I can't savor each bight, like I would a bowl of homemade chicken (or turkey) soup, when I'm not feeling great or just plain hungry.
The example of love in action, of the great 'village' that sustains us, has inspired numerous caregivers, patients & their loved ones, who shake their heads in awe, to know that ordinary people like us could be so profoundly loved & supported. I am so happy to share this great love story.
The challenges we've been facing since July 1, have amplified the abundance of goodness & blessings that have, & continue to come when we are so hungry for relief from the suffering & pain of it all. Recognizing & appreciating the blessings have been our saving grace. God has abundantly blessed us through the tremendous outpouring of love & support from the start.
By now, the 'holiday' of Thanksgiving is ending, but hopefully the eyes of our hearts are renewed to recognize the blessings in each day. Even a little ray of light when darkness tries to overwhelm us. Each of us have experienced that! For some, it's right now: A mother whose son died suddenly of a heart attack; A 39 year old husband & father of two, whose future is so uncertain, due to suffering a stroke; A senior couple separated in different hospitals, with serious illnesses… These are just 3 that I have encountered this week. The only ray of light they may experience is from the love of you & me. Hopefully I follow that nudge to offer a friendly gesture to someone in pain, when I don't really feel up to it, because it's hard to see beyond my own. I have always been lifted up myself, when I push beyond myself & give.
We had a sweet 6 yr old visitor, the son of a patient. When I showed him our Santa photo, he yelled "Presents!" He was so curious & busy on our side of the room. We just loved it. Being 74 with a stroke is one thing, but 39 with a young family is another. His wife was happy to hear how Larry was very similar at the beginning, & to see him now. She thanked me for the encouragement & for keeping him & their family in our prayers.
Today with Larry was very interactive. I was doing his oral care (which is more complex than brushing & flossing teeth), when he had a gagging fit (not nice). It drains him for a bit, so when the physio arrived just at that time, she said she'd come later. When he settled down, I was his trainer! He did great leg exercises in his bed. He wore a smirk on his face as I told him what next & counted while he did the reps. I told him "You're the Kinesiologist, you don't need me to tell you what to do!" Well, apparently he did! He worked hard, including using a resistance band for his arms. I can see his muscles coming back. He also did swallowing exercises & I got him to sing "Happy Birthday" to his sister on the phone. I'm so pleased to say that he still carries a tune well, so we'll see about more of that!
I told Larry's young nurse today that she is a most excellent nurse & thanked her. She sounded like a kitten, with her voice trying to say 'thank you'. She was definitely born for this vocation.
Earlier on this Thanksgiving day, I thought I would just keep writing the things that I am grateful for. No matter how many I would write, I'd still not name them all. Perhaps I'm most grateful that I am grateful & see beautifully the treasure of gifts Larry & I have been & still are being given by you.
I got to ask the doctor a few questions: Coughing phlegm a few times a day as a red flag, re: the 8 weeks of steady cough; & the buildup of crust that encapsulates Larry's tongue with open mouth breathing. He is not concerned & explained why. I asked what the criteria was for Larry transferring to a rehabilitation centre. He said it was the physio's decision. So, when Larry heard that he got really quiet. I asked what he was thinking. "About all I have to do to go to rehab!" I encouraged him to do exercises on his own, a couple of times a day, on top of what the physio or other therapists do with him. It will be a challenge to fight through the sleepiness that comes from his brain injury. So between me & family members, we can help him do his best, to do his best.
God bless you! May the abundance of grace that flows over us, flow out to you! xoxo