Ben has a bucket full of health challenges, takes a pile of pills a day, but he is a good grandson, and we all love him (his little sister might not say that in public, but she does love him).
Gratitude #83 - Sweet Biddies!
11 years ago
Friday, January 25, 2008
grandson ben 23 in a few weeks
Ben has a bucket full of health challenges, takes a pile of pills a day, but he is a good grandson, and we all love him (his little sister might not say that in public, but she does love him).
what?
Once there was a lady named Arline, she was very pretty. She married a tall handsome young man named Hoyd.
They had two sons, David and Ben (they had a daughter too, but she does not figure in this story -- sorry).
David grew up and married beautiful Miriam.
And they had a bunch of daughters, but the first they named Arline, after David’s beloved mother. (Arline’s other name is Marie after her other grandmother).
Then when Arline grew up she married steady Sid, and they had two sons.
Yep, you guessed it: David and Ben (they had another son and daughter some years later, but they don’t figure in this story either, even though they are very fine grand children).
There is a moral there somewhere. But the story is true and no names have been changed to protect anyone.
They had two sons, David and Ben (they had a daughter too, but she does not figure in this story -- sorry).
David grew up and married beautiful Miriam.
And they had a bunch of daughters, but the first they named Arline, after David’s beloved mother. (Arline’s other name is Marie after her other grandmother).
Then when Arline grew up she married steady Sid, and they had two sons.
Yep, you guessed it: David and Ben (they had another son and daughter some years later, but they don’t figure in this story either, even though they are very fine grand children).
There is a moral there somewhere. But the story is true and no names have been changed to protect anyone.
Thursday, January 24, 2008
i feel old some days
This next piece is by our 2nd daughter Lora. I asked her permission to include it here in my blog.
Lora is an RN, works nights delivering babies, which can be joyful. But she is also involved in her community and her church, and this piece shares some of her burdens.
In a family of artists, Lora has always been the “word girl” as my mother refered to her when Lora was just learning to read. She has artistic skills as well, but it is her words that give me assurance at this moment.
Today at my church there was a meal and social for “The Young at Heart.” I did not go, or want to go. I may be a lot of things, but young at heart is not one of them. Some days I feel old.
Lora is an RN, works nights delivering babies, which can be joyful. But she is also involved in her community and her church, and this piece shares some of her burdens.
In a family of artists, Lora has always been the “word girl” as my mother refered to her when Lora was just learning to read. She has artistic skills as well, but it is her words that give me assurance at this moment.
Today at my church there was a meal and social for “The Young at Heart.” I did not go, or want to go. I may be a lot of things, but young at heart is not one of them. Some days I feel old.
more sadness, by lora
Sadness is around us. The last half-year has been full of it. Does Jesus care?
As part of the “sandwich generation” I’ve felt “soul weight” as Alzheimer’s takes over my mother’s mind and emotions. She just turned 71, and though the disease progress has been gradual, our father is already bent sometimes under the burden. We’ve made difficult decisions about guardianship and her health care. Oh, this hurts.
My friend Liz is going through a profound phase with her dad, who is failing physically but not peacefully into more dependency on his children and others. Childhood wounds resurface; the pain is real. Such challenges!
Many have lost life partners. Two couples I think of with children ranging in age from middle-school to college-age. Dean was a hard-working, loving husband and joyous father. His widow had to return to their shared work place where he will no longer surprise her by bounding around the corner, making her smile. Now he is gone. So sad!
Valerie was the cornerstone in her family, homeschooling her three children against all odds. She was a can-do woman, honored her husband and always had a cheerful attitude – to the point that most of her friends didn’t realize how sick she really was. Now her husband is alone to finish raising their teens. Alone.
My dad visited his friend daily, chose to miss out on family Christmas gatherings knowing he would only have Jim a little while, that his friend needed him at this difficult time. Jim was a Job, ready to die and not sure why life went on for him. My dad (really quite a macho man) held his hand, sat with him and stayed for hours. Now only memories remain of his dear friend. Jim rests in peace, yet there is still sadness.
Last night I came home late to a quiet, sleeping house. A message on the answering machine. Enough said for me to know, another loss, another dear saint laid to rest – leaving her mourning husband and grown sons behind. Oh, Lord, so much sadness! Why so much sadness? I’m certain it will only come closer to me, in time!! How to bear it!?
Within moments, God’s assurance came to my heart by way of a certain hymn. I settled into sleep with that tune, and woke up with His continued assurance. “Does Jesus care? … Oh, yes, He cares, I know He cares! His heart is touched with my grief; when the days are weary, the long nights dreary, I know my Savior cares.” (hymn 181) Oh, God is so good. Praise Him for His constant, unfailing care! When life is too heavy to carry, He carries it with us. He sustains; He keeps; He provides. May we choose God as our helper!
“Cast your burden on the LORD, and He shall sustain you; He shall never permit the righteous to be moved.” Psalm 55:22.
“Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time: casting all your care upon him; for He careth for you.” 1 Peter 5:7
As part of the “sandwich generation” I’ve felt “soul weight” as Alzheimer’s takes over my mother’s mind and emotions. She just turned 71, and though the disease progress has been gradual, our father is already bent sometimes under the burden. We’ve made difficult decisions about guardianship and her health care. Oh, this hurts.
My friend Liz is going through a profound phase with her dad, who is failing physically but not peacefully into more dependency on his children and others. Childhood wounds resurface; the pain is real. Such challenges!
Many have lost life partners. Two couples I think of with children ranging in age from middle-school to college-age. Dean was a hard-working, loving husband and joyous father. His widow had to return to their shared work place where he will no longer surprise her by bounding around the corner, making her smile. Now he is gone. So sad!
Valerie was the cornerstone in her family, homeschooling her three children against all odds. She was a can-do woman, honored her husband and always had a cheerful attitude – to the point that most of her friends didn’t realize how sick she really was. Now her husband is alone to finish raising their teens. Alone.
My dad visited his friend daily, chose to miss out on family Christmas gatherings knowing he would only have Jim a little while, that his friend needed him at this difficult time. Jim was a Job, ready to die and not sure why life went on for him. My dad (really quite a macho man) held his hand, sat with him and stayed for hours. Now only memories remain of his dear friend. Jim rests in peace, yet there is still sadness.
Last night I came home late to a quiet, sleeping house. A message on the answering machine. Enough said for me to know, another loss, another dear saint laid to rest – leaving her mourning husband and grown sons behind. Oh, Lord, so much sadness! Why so much sadness? I’m certain it will only come closer to me, in time!! How to bear it!?
Within moments, God’s assurance came to my heart by way of a certain hymn. I settled into sleep with that tune, and woke up with His continued assurance. “Does Jesus care? … Oh, yes, He cares, I know He cares! His heart is touched with my grief; when the days are weary, the long nights dreary, I know my Savior cares.” (hymn 181) Oh, God is so good. Praise Him for His constant, unfailing care! When life is too heavy to carry, He carries it with us. He sustains; He keeps; He provides. May we choose God as our helper!
“Cast your burden on the LORD, and He shall sustain you; He shall never permit the righteous to be moved.” Psalm 55:22.
“Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time: casting all your care upon him; for He careth for you.” 1 Peter 5:7
paper dress
These dresses are wonderful. I'll get another photograph soon of this one, showing the whole thing. Daughter Linda/Lia is the artist.
dresses
If you want to be dazzled by the idea of a dress made from printed paper look at this site. The artist is my youngest daughter Linda who uses the name Lia professionally.
http://www.opb.org/programs/artbeat/episodes/view/916
http://www.opb.org/programs/artbeat/episodes/view/916
Tuesday, January 22, 2008
heritage
My grandparents, my mother and uncle. Taken about 1922. Grandma's parents had immigrated from Denmark as young adults. Grandpa's family claimed relatives on the Mayflower, but grandpa was skeptical. Uncle became a dentist and died of Alzheimer's brought on by head trauma from a falll.
They were all good people.
afghan label
In our family there is a special place for hand made gifts. A loaf of bread, a visit, or a wonderful afghan. This is our oldest daughters gift to her mom for Miriam's birthday. Thank you again Arline. You are loved.
gift of love
My mom used to crochet.
Little string and a tiny hook and her right hand would blur as she made a chain, I think she called it.
Two of my daughters crochet. One of them has sold a pile of her work, but she works with fat fuzzy yarn and a hook the size of my first finger. She goes right at it too.
Then there is my oldest. Mildly compulsive (like her dad) and full of way more enthusiasm than any of the rest of us. She doesn’t crochet regularly, but when she does she goes at like a dervish.
Anyway for Miriam’s birthday, Arline -- the oldest one I just mentioned -- crocheted an afghan for Miriam. It is nice and fluffy, just right for a mid afternoon nap.
Then to make it really special she made this label. She quotes King David in Psalms 139:19.
It is a piece of beauty and a treasure. We will make good use of it.
And imagine making those stitches and counting: “fifty six thousand and three; fifty six thousand and four . . . :
PS Deanna tells me that she crochets and Arline knits, so I have it wrong in my head. You gals know the difference but I may not!
Little string and a tiny hook and her right hand would blur as she made a chain, I think she called it.
Two of my daughters crochet. One of them has sold a pile of her work, but she works with fat fuzzy yarn and a hook the size of my first finger. She goes right at it too.
Then there is my oldest. Mildly compulsive (like her dad) and full of way more enthusiasm than any of the rest of us. She doesn’t crochet regularly, but when she does she goes at like a dervish.
Anyway for Miriam’s birthday, Arline -- the oldest one I just mentioned -- crocheted an afghan for Miriam. It is nice and fluffy, just right for a mid afternoon nap.
Then to make it really special she made this label. She quotes King David in Psalms 139:19.
It is a piece of beauty and a treasure. We will make good use of it.
And imagine making those stitches and counting: “fifty six thousand and three; fifty six thousand and four . . . :
PS Deanna tells me that she crochets and Arline knits, so I have it wrong in my head. You gals know the difference but I may not!
good kids
Today I was thinking about my grandkids.
We like to brag, we grandparents, about how bright our grand kids are, about how they walk at this age, and read shakespeare at this age. But I have known a few real geniuses in my lengthening life, and it is not all wonderful.
What I like about my grandkids is that they are really good kids, I rather doubt there is a real honest genius in the bunch, even though every grandfather harbors that dream.
So I celebrate the goodness of my grandkids. That is not a small thing.
There are a lot of good kids around, we often forget them. Most are torn in one way or other by what we adults have done to them. One of my friend’s grandkids have parents that are divorced, with mother living thousands of miles away and father has custody. Mom is interfering, my friend says.
I cannot possibly know all the ins and outs of this situation, but divorce has done a number on my family too. I can see that it is taking a toll on these children, all of them.
Maybe that is where grandparents fit in. I notice that as Miriam declines into her Alzheimer’s she seems to be unable to really relate to the little ones. That whole thing hurts. She was a superb mother and grandmother.
I like being a grandfather, next to being a dad it is the most wonderful thing I have ever done in my lengthening life.
Emily, Josh, Andrew, Matt (and the others) I love you and I love you for being really good kids, not perfect, not nutty bright, but really good.
By the way, you can be a good kid and still get a lot of A’s and B’s on your report card!
We like to brag, we grandparents, about how bright our grand kids are, about how they walk at this age, and read shakespeare at this age. But I have known a few real geniuses in my lengthening life, and it is not all wonderful.
What I like about my grandkids is that they are really good kids, I rather doubt there is a real honest genius in the bunch, even though every grandfather harbors that dream.
So I celebrate the goodness of my grandkids. That is not a small thing.
There are a lot of good kids around, we often forget them. Most are torn in one way or other by what we adults have done to them. One of my friend’s grandkids have parents that are divorced, with mother living thousands of miles away and father has custody. Mom is interfering, my friend says.
I cannot possibly know all the ins and outs of this situation, but divorce has done a number on my family too. I can see that it is taking a toll on these children, all of them.
Maybe that is where grandparents fit in. I notice that as Miriam declines into her Alzheimer’s she seems to be unable to really relate to the little ones. That whole thing hurts. She was a superb mother and grandmother.
I like being a grandfather, next to being a dad it is the most wonderful thing I have ever done in my lengthening life.
Emily, Josh, Andrew, Matt (and the others) I love you and I love you for being really good kids, not perfect, not nutty bright, but really good.
By the way, you can be a good kid and still get a lot of A’s and B’s on your report card!
Sunday, January 20, 2008
tomorrow
I get my macbook back.
It is a lot more comfortable writing while sitting in my recliner than on a hard oak chair.
Long may it live.
It is a lot more comfortable writing while sitting in my recliner than on a hard oak chair.
Long may it live.
the day after
Miriam did have a good birthday.
Cake, ice cream, grandkids and a daughter (and son in law). (I was there too, as was my sister!) There were a few gifts, the nicest a hand made afgan from daughter 1. I'll post a picture of the label as soon as I get my macbook back tomorrow.
But, like all visits it was over very soon. The company was here for just one night and parts of two days. Our small house is not good for long visits, particularly in winter.
They left and it was grandma (Miriam) and grandpa (dave) alone together. Puzzles, a bit of tv and bed early.
This morning more snow.
Cake, ice cream, grandkids and a daughter (and son in law). (I was there too, as was my sister!) There were a few gifts, the nicest a hand made afgan from daughter 1. I'll post a picture of the label as soon as I get my macbook back tomorrow.
But, like all visits it was over very soon. The company was here for just one night and parts of two days. Our small house is not good for long visits, particularly in winter.
They left and it was grandma (Miriam) and grandpa (dave) alone together. Puzzles, a bit of tv and bed early.
This morning more snow.
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