Happy Easter!
How on earth could I have survived the last weeks without the promise fulfilled that is Easter. How bittersweet to stand on the altar last night with my niece as she entered the Catholic Church, knowing her first choice of sponsor was my dad. How beautiful to know he really was standing with us. How sad that Lauren will never get to go to Mass with her grandpa as a Catholic.
I'm looking forward to Tuesday night. I'll be back home and barring unforeseen circumstances, I'll be there for the rest of the month.
The Easter Vigil Mass last night at St. James in Falls Church was absolutely 'the most noble of liturgies' as the priest said. The church building itself is gorgeous, the choir added to the celebration. I simply love the ritual and symbolism and tradition and the 'pageantry' of the entire celebration. Starting in darkness, hearing Salvation History story through numerous Old Testament readings, lighting the church, the Good News of the Gospel proclaimed, the renewal of our Baptismal promises, just everything points to the Glory of God. Definitely the best celebration of the year. (I say that every year, too).
Now we get to celebrate the Easter season for the next 50 days. Yea! I had a very different Lent this year, but one that caused me to grow closer to my God. And really, that's what it's all about.
Happy Easter!
Sunday, March 31, 2013
Tuesday, March 26, 2013
Love My Family
Still trying to figure out what day of the week it is. It was 4 weeks ago today that I decided to go to SC to see my dad in the hospital. In the last 28 days, I've been to SC two times and Omaha once and I've home for 8 of them. It's no wonder I don't know which way is up.
The last 4 weeks have been surreal.
But they have also demonstrated to me how lucky (blessed) I am. I have always known that I have the best husband in the world, bar none. When I talked to my husband about going to SC, he immediately offered to do whatever I needed so that the trip would be easiest for me. Then when the whole family was called when my dad took a turn for the worse, he readily picked up the Imp on his way to SC. Then when it became obvious that my dad would likely survive the weekend, and all my siblings agreed someone should stay with my mom, he offered (yes, offered...didn't have to be asked) to stay with me and work remotely. Wow. If the whole situation wasn't so somber, I would have been on cloud 9 at the generosity of my husband.
By Friday night (2/28) my whole family had gathered at my dad's hospital bedside. Everyone offering to do whatever was necessary. Yvonne and Richie made dinner for everyone (20) Friday night, and then all offering to help pay. There was no "Not me" or "I can't." But definitely, "Whatever needs to be done." And included in that 'everyone' is also the in-laws. How lucky, I've got great siblings who've chosen great mates. Gwyn, especially comes to mind. My brother's widow, she lives in the same town as my parents and is always there for them, and was there for all of us the entire time of my dad's hospitalization. Then there's Tracy, who kept the home front going with 2 active boys, as Brian did almost daily commutes to and from Charlotte. It is so evident that Brian is his father's son. I've heard many stories of siblings back-stabbing each other during difficult times...can't even begin to imagine that. Having 2 doctors in the family, definitely made navigating the medical information easier. I know both Elaine and Mark provided key info for my mom.
The days I was in Sumter after my siblings left town are a blur and run together. Get up, go to the hospital, try to get my mom to go home and rest (which just wasn't happening), go to dinner with Dennis, go back to the hospital, go to back to our room, go to sleep, and then start over. I'm sure the 16 days my dad was in the hospital are a blur to my mom, too. She left only to go shower and get essential things done at home. Otherwise she was at the hospital with my dad. 61 years, and it was clear to all that they loved each other. How blessed am I to have this family.
Not sure what to give my attention to anymore. My garden is growing, but with me leaving again on Thursday I'm hesitant to get too excited and worried the condition of it when I return. My cukes need transplanting. Hoping to have time tomorrow to get that done.
I'm enjoying my time in my own bed. Also glad to be back in moist warm Florida. My skin and nasal passages were suffering in the cold weather and dry, heated indoors.
A few pictures from my dad's funeral.
I'll be trying to process this past month in the next few days.
The last 4 weeks have been surreal.
But they have also demonstrated to me how lucky (blessed) I am. I have always known that I have the best husband in the world, bar none. When I talked to my husband about going to SC, he immediately offered to do whatever I needed so that the trip would be easiest for me. Then when the whole family was called when my dad took a turn for the worse, he readily picked up the Imp on his way to SC. Then when it became obvious that my dad would likely survive the weekend, and all my siblings agreed someone should stay with my mom, he offered (yes, offered...didn't have to be asked) to stay with me and work remotely. Wow. If the whole situation wasn't so somber, I would have been on cloud 9 at the generosity of my husband.
By Friday night (2/28) my whole family had gathered at my dad's hospital bedside. Everyone offering to do whatever was necessary. Yvonne and Richie made dinner for everyone (20) Friday night, and then all offering to help pay. There was no "Not me" or "I can't." But definitely, "Whatever needs to be done." And included in that 'everyone' is also the in-laws. How lucky, I've got great siblings who've chosen great mates. Gwyn, especially comes to mind. My brother's widow, she lives in the same town as my parents and is always there for them, and was there for all of us the entire time of my dad's hospitalization. Then there's Tracy, who kept the home front going with 2 active boys, as Brian did almost daily commutes to and from Charlotte. It is so evident that Brian is his father's son. I've heard many stories of siblings back-stabbing each other during difficult times...can't even begin to imagine that. Having 2 doctors in the family, definitely made navigating the medical information easier. I know both Elaine and Mark provided key info for my mom.
The days I was in Sumter after my siblings left town are a blur and run together. Get up, go to the hospital, try to get my mom to go home and rest (which just wasn't happening), go to dinner with Dennis, go back to the hospital, go to back to our room, go to sleep, and then start over. I'm sure the 16 days my dad was in the hospital are a blur to my mom, too. She left only to go shower and get essential things done at home. Otherwise she was at the hospital with my dad. 61 years, and it was clear to all that they loved each other. How blessed am I to have this family.
Not sure what to give my attention to anymore. My garden is growing, but with me leaving again on Thursday I'm hesitant to get too excited and worried the condition of it when I return. My cukes need transplanting. Hoping to have time tomorrow to get that done.
I'm enjoying my time in my own bed. Also glad to be back in moist warm Florida. My skin and nasal passages were suffering in the cold weather and dry, heated indoors.
A few pictures from my dad's funeral.
Outside my parents' apartment at Covenant Place
My dad's deacon mouse.
Andrew and Christopher
Christopher will miss my dad.
Theresa, Grandma, and Lauren
Me, Grandma, Elaine, Yvonne and the boys in front.
I'll be trying to process this past month in the next few days.
Wednesday, March 20, 2013
It's Cold in Omaha
Sitting in this hotel room in cold Omaha (32 degrees; wind-chill much colder) as Theresa recovers from her surgery at Creighton University Medical Center, my life seems surreal. The last 6 weeks have been a constant blur. I'm not sure I've processed any of the emotions that have been churning. But I have survived and am still striving.
Theresa has endometrial ovarian cysts which have been causing her great pain. Mainstream doctors' answer to almost any female problem remotely associated with her menstrual cycle is 'the pill.' So back in May 2011, after a cyst ruptured, we went to THE ovarian cyst specialist in Tampa. Her answer: the pill...for the entire reproductive part of Theresa's life (except when she actually wanted to get pregnant). This, in itself, is amazing to me. But we aren't even talking the normal use of the pill the cessation of all periods. The doctor wanted Theresa to prevent ovulation and menstruation perpetually. Then the doctor had the chutzpah to look me in the eye and tell me it was perfectly safe. Citing Theresa's young age and non-smoker status as lowering the risk of blood clots (as if that were the only risk associated with the pill). But even if it were, Theresa cannot stay in the young category forever. The doctor wanted Theresa to fill her body with hormones continuously from the age of 17-50+. 30+ years on the pill...but 'it's perfectly safe.'
Fortunately I'd heard of a doctor in Clearwater who practices NaPro Technology. (Check it out) This concept was started by Dr. Hilgers of Omaha and the Pope Paul VI Institute. After extensive fact-gathering over a period of time, Dr. Hilgers recommended a laparoscopy. Dr. Hilgers performed the surgery this morning and we meet with him tomorrow morning to discuss the results. Unfortunately it looks like more surgery is in the works.
Sitting in a waiting room while your daughter is in surgery isn't much fun, so I spent most of the time in the Chapel. I certainly can't imagine how I would have handled the last weeks without God. My faith gives me strength I know I don't possess.
Theresa has endometrial ovarian cysts which have been causing her great pain. Mainstream doctors' answer to almost any female problem remotely associated with her menstrual cycle is 'the pill.' So back in May 2011, after a cyst ruptured, we went to THE ovarian cyst specialist in Tampa. Her answer: the pill...for the entire reproductive part of Theresa's life (except when she actually wanted to get pregnant). This, in itself, is amazing to me. But we aren't even talking the normal use of the pill the cessation of all periods. The doctor wanted Theresa to prevent ovulation and menstruation perpetually. Then the doctor had the chutzpah to look me in the eye and tell me it was perfectly safe. Citing Theresa's young age and non-smoker status as lowering the risk of blood clots (as if that were the only risk associated with the pill). But even if it were, Theresa cannot stay in the young category forever. The doctor wanted Theresa to fill her body with hormones continuously from the age of 17-50+. 30+ years on the pill...but 'it's perfectly safe.'
Fortunately I'd heard of a doctor in Clearwater who practices NaPro Technology. (Check it out) This concept was started by Dr. Hilgers of Omaha and the Pope Paul VI Institute. After extensive fact-gathering over a period of time, Dr. Hilgers recommended a laparoscopy. Dr. Hilgers performed the surgery this morning and we meet with him tomorrow morning to discuss the results. Unfortunately it looks like more surgery is in the works.
Sitting in a waiting room while your daughter is in surgery isn't much fun, so I spent most of the time in the Chapel. I certainly can't imagine how I would have handled the last weeks without God. My faith gives me strength I know I don't possess.
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